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brynns-world · 1 year

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【ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　ｅｉｇｈｔ】

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･𝓗𝓸𝓭𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓮?⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Chara observed the fight taking place indifferently up until the fireball hit you right on the chest. Instead of seeing your soul shatter and immediately being in the void where you'll choose to continue, they watched horrified as the fire consumed you from the spot you were hit.

Turning to ashes, Toriel and Chara had the same mortified look plastered on their faces. Just what happened? You were supposed to be in the void as soon as your hp dropped. Toriel was already on the ground near your ashes, sobbing uncontrollably and begging for you to forgive her.

Movement from your ashes caught the attention of both individuals. Grass started to quickly grow in that spot to the point no ashes were visible any longer. Small mushrooms started showing up, forming the outline of a person curling on their side if you paid close attention.

No. Not any type of mushrooms.

After a minute of thinking, a memory pops up in Chara's mind.

'...Amanita Muscaria.'

With that everything turned black.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

Chara opened their eyes to find themselves in the familiar void, the same patch of grass and mushrooms was located to their left. Suddenly the grass started moving and something emerged from it.

After a minute the grass started taking shape, and they realized it was rather someone. Even if the body was made only of grass and mushrooms, they recognized the person.

The grass body started taking colors and a firm shape, proving their assumption correct.

You were looking at 'the ground', avoiding Chara's prying eyes. They wanted to know so many things, but the amount of questions were starting to jumble up and nothing could come out of their mouth.

"I'll never get out of here right?"

That came out more like a statement, you sounded so disappointed in yourself. However, Chara could care less about what you just said, there are more important things to discuss at this moment. They looked at you incredulously, they didn't think this question would have to be the first one to be asked.

"Are you seriously not gonna explain what just happened?!"

The way your eyes casted towards your side told them that you weren't comfortable about the topic. Your soul is peculiar, what just happened was peculiar, you are peculiar, and they need answers now. They have already spent so much time trying to gain your trust, but the way things have been going showed that you won't be completely trusting them soon.

"What exactly are you? It's painfully obvious that you are not human."

They watched as you took a deep breath. Chara already saw, so there's no way to hide it any longer. Let's make an exchange of information, you concluded that it was only fair to get answers if you talk about yourself.

"I'll answer you only if you promise to answer my questions too."

"How do I know you are not gonna lie?"

'Damn.'

The duo thought the same thing. Guess it was going to be harder than they thought to make progress if both had trust issues.

Chara clenched their fists as they think, they know that they should trust your word at least for now, but their past experiences are making it hard to act naive at the moment. On your side, you can't blame Chara for not trusting you, afterall you are just as wary as they are right now.

"We must believe what the other says. I know we don't want to say everything but I at least will explain to you about what I am and my soul."

"Alright...I get it. Neither of us knows if the other will lie."

After a deep breath, Chara unclenches their fists and sits with their legs crossed on the ground thinking about what information they could offer you. Knowing in the back of their mind what you'll ask and preparing their words to explain it to you.

"I won't ask about your personal life only if you don't ask about mine. Sounds good?"

Nodding at Chara's deal, you sit with your knees up to your chin in front of them. This way you can hide your face if you feel too anxious.

Silence fell over the both of you. You don't want to be the first one to answer something, but it looks like Chara doesn't want to either.

This is getting awkward.

Sighing loudly at the same time, the both of you look at the other as if waiting for whatever the other is gonna say. Getting tired of this embarrassment, you open your mouth to say something only to notice that Chara is also about to say something.

A slap to their mouth was quickly delivered as you furrowed your brows at them and finally spoke.

"This isn't gonna work if you are such a wimp!"

Chara looked at you offended, taking your hand off their mouth they pointed at you accusingly.

"Excuse me?! You are the chicken here! I asked you first about what you are and you haven't answered that!"

"I thought we would start from zero! I was waiting for you to ask the first question now that we came to an agreement!"

Groaning loudly, Chara grabbed at their hair.

"Okay I'll ask again then! What the heck are you?"

"Damn was it that hard?"

The glare you received from Chara made you shut up.

"So serious for no reason...well I'm a witch."

"I thought we made it clear to be as honest as possible."

"I'm being serious!"

"Witches don't exist! It's only something adults say! Look I swear I won't be mad if you say 'sike' right now and finally tell me that you are some kind of monster."

Yeah, Chara didn't believe you. Sighing exasperatedly, you think of how to explain it to them. Finally, you decide to bring out your soul and your personal journal.

"Look I'll explain about witches then connect to the topic of my soul, so pay attention!"

Welp, at least in Chara's eyes you are gonna answer another question so it doesn't matter.

You opened your journal to a page where a circle with weird symbols in golden tint surrounding it was illustrated. The circle had in the center five symbols that weirdly looked like small drawings.

The first symbol located at the top left looked like a small forest, the fact that it was written in green supported that thought. The second symbol at the right of the green one was in blue and it looked like a small sea shell. The third at the bottom left was white and gave the idea of feathers. Lastly, the black one was formed by various small lines, no shape came to their mind.

At the center of those four symbols, a small scenery seemed to be displayed formed with the four colors mentioned earlier. It looked like a forest near the shore at night with some weird feathery thing located in the sky.

"There are different kinds of witches. First our deities decide if we are gonna be born on Oma, Polu, Okeo, or Ele."

Chara observed as you pointed to each small symbol with every name you said. Oma being the green mini forest, Polu the blue sea shell, Okeo the feathers, and Ele the black lines.

"After that we are born into a coven, which are also divided in even more professions and specialities. I was born in the Oma population, being part of one of many green covens."

Taking a small pause, you decide to proceed to explain about your soul. You might get off track if you continue to talk about witches.

"The reason why my soul is white is because witches are made out of nature and have a direct connection with deities, this making us have a pure soul per say. Once we decide what we are gonna specialize in is when we get a peculiar trait in our soul. For example, if a Polu witch decides to specialize on the uses of fish scales for potions or something, then their soul will remain white while obtaining some patches of scales."

Finally giving up on trying to discover what the other golden symbols say, Chara directs their gaze to your soul. It's pure white, they noted.

"You haven't decided what you are gonna specialize in?"

Flinching, you push their face away from your soul even if they weren't that close.

"We said no personal matters!"

"Alright alright! Um...so what you said during 'the incident' about making me be able to touch and eat things...?"

"The items need to be charged with spiritual energy, the only things you ever touched were those old toys and my items. The toys already had the energy of past children. Everything I touch can be charged with that energy if I hold the item for a while."

"And eat?"

"That was harder, I put a spell on the cooking I did. Figured it was sad to not be able to eat anything when dead and only watch the people around you enjoy a meal."

The memories of when they were able to eat came back to their mind. Now it makes sense why you insisted on helping Toriel with the meals, all those times they ate from your cooking.

"How do the spells work? I mean do you do it with a witch pot, wand, magic words?"

That produced a laugh out of you. Chara stares at you somewhat offended that you are laughing at them, of course they don't know about these things that's why they ask. Maybe you did a whole ass ritual and no one noticed?

"It doesn't work like that! Look I can basically just think about what I want to do and it'll happen. The way I put the spell on the cooking was just thinking that you were gonna be able to eat it while I was preparing the meal."

Damn, that sounds easier than they thought. By the amount of writing there is in your journal they thought that's maybe where you have all your spells written. It does sound boring having to learn many spells though, like imagine saying a whole ass essay just to do whatever you wanted to do.

"Wow...it sounds way too good to have that amount of power."

"We must be careful though."

"Is there a payment you have to make for every spell?"

"Well something like that. First off, making spells takes energy from you, even more if you are inexperienced. Remember those times I slept for what? 16 hours? Then, there's a rule that whatever you do to someone is gonna come back at you multiplied by three. And finally, this power is not exactly ours, you could say we borrow it from our deities and from nature. That's why we make altars to show our gratitude."

So there's a lot of risk. If you try using this to protect yourself from someone then will you get that damage three times? Chara ponders over this as you stay quiet to give them time.

The way you looked exhausted every time you and Toriel finished each meal flashed in their minds.

"...Hey"

The sudden shift in the ambience catches your attention. The both of you were starting to get comfortable again which signaled improvement. Confused you answer.

"Yeah?"

Chara stays quiet for a minute as you wait patiently. The only movement they make at the moment is the rise and falling of their chest, showing that they are taking deep breaths.

"I'm not good with these sorts of things but...rry."

Their voice got quieter with each word, making it hard to understand the last words they muttered. You shifted a little closer and looked at them with an apologetic look.

"Could you repeat that? I didn't catch it."

They took an even deeper breath and clenched the fabric of their pants in their fists. Muttering a few things under their breath before finally giving you a small glance.

"I'm sorry. I lashed out at you the night before and called you selfish when you were exhausted all this time just to see me enjoy the meals."

Looking directly at your eyes they noticed the way they changed from surprise to a sadden look. You offered them a small smile before looking down at your hands that were fidgeting with your ring.

That's the same smile they have been seeing all these days.

"It's okay. I am actually. I talked badly about Toriel's efforts and tried to get out to satisfy my own mind."

"It's not okay."

It startled you when you were forced to look directly at their eyes because of the grip they took of your shoulders. They had a frustrated hint on those chestnut orbs.

"We were already friends so I should've explained what was beyond the hallway, you did have a right to know. Also, I knew from the beginning that your mother is a sensitive topic and I brought it against you!"

Chara was really ashamed of themselves, the fact that they did that to you was a low blow. They know that even lashing out at you was uncalled for. The constant incognito about the purple hallway was sure to fill your curious nature that seems to pull them in.

"I didn't take a hold of my emotions and escalated what could have been another one of our late night conversations."

The way Chara was blaming the argument solely on themselves doesn't sit right with you. Sure they became defensive for apparently no reason, but you feel like this wouldn't have happened at all if you would've talked with them about what was worrying you.

"I forgive you, however I also owe you an apology for not trusting you. Afterall, I didn't control my overthinking since the beginning."

You colocated your hands on top of Chara's cold ones. The hold they had on your shoulders loosened a bit and they gave a small smile. Their eyes wandered to your hands, or more specifically, your ring.

They had a feeling that it would be something personal. Biting their tongue, they stopped themselves from asking. However, you notice their gaze and sigh, moving your hands to rest on your lap again. Once the cold hits their skin, they release you from their hold.

"As I mentioned before this ring was given to me by my mother when we were about to move out of my coven. She gave it to me because we moved to a human town."

You extend your left hand to Chara so they could see the ring closely. It was made out of silver with a green aventurine on the center, and the smallest chips of aventurine were located with no apparent pattern on the rest of the ring.

In their mind, they looked like small water lilies.

"It's purpose is to change my appearance and in a sense give my mother control over me."

Their eyes immediately shifted to yours once they heard those words. Hesitantly they decided to ask about the former, the mother topic was better left untouched for the moment.

"This isn't what you actually look like?"

"Well...even without the ring, the appearance you would see isn't my real look. I'm quite literally made out of plants, just like every other witch is made out of something from nature. We make ourselves look like something humanoid to make it easier."

"So that's why you came out of that grass patch?"

They received a nod as an answer, which made them try to remember your grass-like body. It was sort of silly in their eyes, it looked more like a gingerbread man but made of grass with mushrooms on their head.

"However, even if we take a more human form, we can't completely hide our traits. That's why when we go live with humans we have to enchant some sort of jewelry."

Chara nodded at your words, letting go of your hand. You suddenly turned serious, now that they knew what you really are you have to explain your desperation for leaving this place.

"Chara. I really do need to get out of here."

They looked at you for a moment and decided to hear you to avoid another incident. Afterall you are answering every doubt they had.

"I'm listening."

"The sunlight that comes through the cracks at Toriel's garden is not enough for me. I really need the sunlight to charge my energy to cast more spells."

Well they sure weren't expecting this. Chara was perplexed, it never crossed their mind that you obtain your energy from the sun like normal plants. It actually didn't sink in their mind that they are talking to a plant person!

"Wait- you are a literal plant!"

"Were you seriously just going along with it?! I thought you had already processed it?!"

"I mean I thought I understood it! But it's like my brain just suddenly decided to properly think about it, making me realize that I didn't understand anything! Like in Math!"

Groaning loudly, you facepalm. All that explanation you did for them to be on some sort of autopilot state?!

Noticing your exasperated expression, they force the gears on their head to start working. Alright you are a witch, and a plant person, which means you need sunlight. Being underground sounds like a really bad situation for you.

"If you need sunlight to have energy, then how did you survive these 17 days with the amount of spells you casted for me?"

"Sleeping and eating. I don't necessarily need to eat, I just do it to have more energy and because food tastes amazing."

"I agree with that."

"But to obtain the same amount of energy that sunlight gives me, I would have to go into a sort of sleeping coma for let's say...at least a week."

Chara widens their eyes at this. With the amount of spells you've been doing and the hours of sleep you've been getting then you're probably completely drained. Being a witch is no joke, there's seriously many conditions to follow.

They need to help you get out. Either way they were already planning on helping you with Toriel this time, but now this has gotten more serious. Even so, they still need to follow you to make sure that you won't do anything bad.

"I will help you, don't worry."

You smiled at this. It wasn't a small smile like the ones they always see, this one is genuine. Thanking them, you decide that it's time to ask them what has been on the back of your mind.

"Remember the room with the balcony?"

Sighing, the ghost nods at your question. Already knowing what you want to ask they decide to answer honestly.

"There was someone before you. A human with scary amounts of Determination."

The serious look on Chara's face made you feel uneasy. You subconsciously knew that something terrible happened in the underground. The same feeling you got when you saw the knife made itself present.

"They were kind at the beginning, we really thought that we would get the happy ending we crave for. But they discovered an awful ability, they decided to reset the time so every event that took place would start again from the moment they fell down here."

You widen your eyes at this. Was this even possible? Humans don't possess any type of magic, that's the way things are since the beginning of history. At least that's what you know, otherwise why would the war even take place?

"Turn back time...? But, how?"

"You'll be surprised by the things someone with determination is capable of doing."

That sounds...scary. It's true that Determination is the strongest human soul trait, but to the point of having that amount of power on their hands? Not even witches can mess with time because it would be going against every deity's wishes.

"Once the past became our present again, they did awful things. Supposedly, only the 'time traveler' can remember the things that originally happened, so they took advantage of that."

"Didn't anyone try to stop them?"

"Many monsters did, but their Determination was so immense that they could come back from death. In the end, I had to stop them so they are no longer here."

No longer here? Did Chara kill someone?! The scared expression on your face made them sweatdrop. Quickly noticing how bad their words sounded they tried to elaborate.

"I mean that I restored the timeline and sent them to the surface! They haven't appeared on the underground all this time so I'm guessing they will finally leave us alone!"

Sighing in relief, you relax a little bit and process their words. Now there's a question on your mind, how could you help the monsters this time? You know there's a barrier, but no adult ever talks about it so there's a huge amount of information you lack.

"Is there a way to free the monsters?"

Chara was actually surprised. They thought they would have to ask you to help, but it seems like you already thought of it. Guess they underestimated your kindness.

"There is a magical barrier that was created to keep the monsters here. However, we can break it if we collect seven human souls."

"So we need the seven traits..."

"Well, six human kids fell down here before so we only need one more soul."

That's when Toriel's words came back to your mind.

'Every human that falls down here meets the same fate. I have seen it again and again. They come. They leave. They die. You naive child...If you leave The Ruins...They...Asgore...will kill you.'

Now it makes sense. They killed those kids that fell here in order to obtain their souls. It saddens you to think that they have been desperately trying to get out of here for who knows how long.

"Is your soul one of those six they already have?"

"...No, those are kids that fell after me."

The last report of a missing kid because of Mt. Ebott according to what you found was about 4 years ago. Wait a minute- All the other reports have gap years in between.

"Uh, how long have you been dead exactly...?"

"I don't know, I think it's been at least 30 years."

They shrugged as if it was nothing but it must have gotten lonely being here by themselves. Apparently no one else can see them, what did they do during this time?

The light chuckle they produced pulled you out of your thoughts.

"Don't worry. It felt like minutes to me. I was actually in some sort of sleep mode all those years."

"What does it feel like?"

"I didn't feel anything. It was like I saw all my memories for a couple of minutes and then woke up already being a ghost."

They started to lay on their back while saying this. It seems like the pain on your back made itself present as soon as you watched them lay back. Sitting on criss-cross really kills your back.

Following their steps, you lay on your back too. Their feet were next to your head while yours were next to their head. Staring at the nothingness produces a calm feeling on your chest because it's the most empty your mind has ever been.

"How were you able to wake up? Did you just suddenly realize that you were sleeping?"

"I woke up when the last kid fell down here. My guess it's that their Determination was so big that it called out to me. Or more like it ruined my peaceful state."

"Have you been awake ever since all that happened?"

"I went to sleep again when they were no longer here. Then you fell and I woke up. Must be a cause of your high spiritual energy or something witchy"

The both of you fell silent, it was nice. Everything was normal again and this time the duo felt how there was a real bond now.

The calm was cut short however when you remembered the fight with Toriel. You are sure as hell that your core got hit directly by a fireball. The last kid was able to come to life because of their Determination, but you don't have Determination . Does this mean...

"I FREAKING DIED AM I A GHOST NOW?!"

Chara got startled by the sudden scream making them sit up quickly. Right, they forgot about that...

Getting somewhat tired of your panicked state, they quickly threw you a slap.

"You are not dead stupid! Look at your hands, you are not even see-through!"

Quickly directing your eyes to your hands, you produce a big sigh of relief to see that you are solid. Chara does look see-through even here...wherever here is.

"But how am I not dead? The fireball hit me right on my core?"

"It must have something to do with you being a witch. If you were a normal human you wouldn't have been able to see those 'floating stars' as you call them. The only one that was able to see and touch them was the last human."

"What does that mean noooow?"

"If my assumption is correct, then it means that you are able to go back in time to the last time you 'saved' your progress per say. Which you probably didn't notice but when you lay down on a bed works the same."

"I'm gonna pretend that I understood because right now I'm just glad I'm not completely dead."

Chara just sighs, being glad that you are not that much of a mess anymore. You finally decided that you wanted to go back, and as soon as you thought that everything turned black once again.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

Opening your eyes you notice that you are laying on your bed at Toriel's house, with Chara laying next to you. You sit up and turn to look at them expectedly.

"IF I help you leave the underground, then please promise to not do anything that could harm others."

Looking at you seriously, they anxiously wait for your answer. You seemed like a nice person during your stay so surely you wouldn't try anything. There is also the witch's rule you mentioned about everything you do to someone coming back at you.

"I promise to free the monsters. I'm not sure if my soul not being a human soul could affect somehow but we will find a way in case it doesn't work out. Doesn't matter how long it takes."

The genuine smile you offered seems to calm all those intrusive thoughts. The both of you are friends now, so Chara has to trust you. They want to trust you.

"Chara there's still something bothering me about leaving."

Tilting their head was their way of showing you had their whole attention. Taking a deep breath you looked at them with a saddened look.

"I don't really want to leave Toriel, she has been so kind to me and even if my overthinking gets the worst out of me, I really do appreciate her. The reason why I said that everything felt fake is because I'm not used to this kind of affection."

Chara looks taken aback by this. This piece of information helps them make sense of your attitude towards Toriel. Now they can really see from your perspective why you said those things during the incident. The fear of getting hurt is what was taking over your body which made you want to leave.

"I don't want to ruin what could be my first good relationship with a motherly figure just because I'm afraid."

Already seeing the timeline, they know that nothing could ever affect your relationship with Toriel. Mostly because of the goat monster being an overly caring and kind person.

"Just talk to her. Believe me, she won't stop caring for you no matter what you do."

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

After some minutes, Toriel finally woke up and immediately started to prepare breakfast. You were about to help her once again but Chara completely forbade you from entering the kitchen. They said it was to make sure that you'll keep your energy.

The day was transcurring like any other, but this is mostly because you were thinking of a way to approach Toriel about leaving. When midday came, Chara had enough and made you go to a private place so you wouldn't be seen 'talking alone'.

"What's taking you so long? I thought you need that solar energy as soon as possible."

"I know I know! It's just...I'm preparing okay?"

Chara looked at you with a raised eyebrow. They obviously noted your constant shaking throughout the day and the way you would flinch at the smallest of sounds.

"Look, just tell all those little voices in your head to shut up. You are overthinking, everything will be alright. Nothing bad will happen because now I will help you."

You stare at them for a minute, looking for any sign that could show they are lying. When none was found, you take a deep breath before looking at them with a little bit of confidence.

"Okay. I'll go now."

With that, you adjusted your messenger bag and walked directly to the living room once again. Toriel was on her chair, but this time she was finishing the knitting of a sweater. She noticed your presence and immediately turned her attention to you.

"Oh, hello my child. Is there anything you need help with?"

Remember that little confidence you gained when talking with Chara? It flew out the window as soon as her gaze was on you.

"Uh...I."

You shift your gaze to your left just to notice that Chara is already looking at you. They make a motion of taking a deep breath in and out before muttering a small 'you can do it'.

Following their steps, you take a deep breath and finally look at Toriel.

"I...am extremely grateful for everything you've done for me to this point. You are the first person ever that cared for me without wanting anything out of me and you are such a wonderful caretaker. To be honest, you have been more like a mom to me these days than my real mother during my whole life."

Fidgeting with your ring, you turn your gaze to the ground. The anxious thoughts are starting to get back and even stronger. Swallowing the lump in your throat you finally continue.

"That's why I would like to return your kindness. Please allow me to free the monsters from the Underground, allow me to give you the opportunity of getting out of here. I'm aware of the dangers that I could encounter on my journey and what it takes to break the barrier, but I'm begging you to trust that I'll accomplish this just like I trust you since you took me in."

There was a moment of silence after this. You are...completely panicking. Did you say too much? What if you said something wrong and now you made matters worse?

The sigh produced from Toriel snapped you back to reality. She sat up from her chair still holding the sweater and came up to you. The hug you received was gentle, as if she was afraid you'll flinch or have a negative reaction similar to when she patted your head.

"You'll need this once you get out of The Ruins."

Separating from one another, you see her holding the finished sweater out to you. Hesitantly taking the sweater on your hands, admiring the effort put into the clothing. Toriel takes your hand and starts taking you downstairs.

"I was afraid of letting you go because I don't want you getting hurt."

The walk through the purple hallway felt short, and even if Toriel was feeling sad her voice was as serene as a night sky.

"Now I realize that if you are not afraid at all even after knowing the dangers, who am I to stop you from doing what your heart pleases?"

The majestic door is standing tall and proud in front of you. You turn to look at Toriel and a smile forms on your face.

You hug her.

Her eyes are widened, you have never accepted any type of physical touch and now you just hugged her first?

"Thank you. I promise I'll come back for you once I break the barrier, mom."

The tears she was oh so desperately trying to keep in finally came running down her cheeks. She hugged you back with all the force she had, not really wanting to let you go.

After some minutes of hugging, she was able to calm down enough so she wouldn't be a sobbing mess anymore. She separated a little from the hug to be able to caress your cheek.

"Take care my child, I know you are strong so you'll definitely succeed on your journey."

"Y/n."

"Huh?"

That's right. All this time she has been referring to you as 'my child' because you never told her your name. It's not that she forgot to ask, more like you avoided answering so eventually she stopped asking.

"My name is Y/n, mom."

She smiled warmly at you before patting your head with her big paw.

"Is a beautiful name, be sure to take pride in it."

A final hug was exchanged before she finally bid you farewell. However, you stayed there a little longer, contemplating what had happened. Taking a deep breath, you direct your gaze to the sweater in your hands before putting it on.

"Ready to continue?"

Looking to your right, Chara is seen closer to the door. You give them a nod before going to open the door.

Ahead of you lies a long purple hallway, you can't even see what's on the other side. It is not that dark but it's not bright either.

"Now that I think about it, it doesn't sound so bad staying here with Toriel."

Chara grabbed the back of your sweater as soon as you did a 180. They started to drag you through the hallway until you were in front of a dark doorway. That's when they let go of you causing your back to hit the ground.

"So rude and for what?"

You stay on the floor for a minute, waiting for the pain on your back to go away. Once Chara started getting impatient with your dramatic ass, you finally stood up and went through the doorway.

"Oh hell nah."

In front of you was a grass patch where sunlight was able to pass through the cracks. The problem is that in the center is located the flower you met when you first arrived at the underground.

"Clever. Verrrryyy clever. You think you're really smart, don't you?"

Flowey was looking at you with a cocky expression. Now that you are in front of someone that you don't trust, the almost emotionless look you carried when you arrived has come back once again.

"In this world, it's kill or be killed. So you were able to play by your own rules."

It changed its expression to a 'friendly' one, but now that you've seen its real personality it can't fool you anymore. Not even the small pure aura that begs to be recognized can make you give Flowey the right of doubt.

"Hee hee hee...I bet you feel really great. You didn't kill anybody this time. But what will you do if you meet a relentless killer?"

You are trying to figure out what it is that Flowey wants out of you. This mockery seems to have a purpose and even so it's pointless because now you are sure of what you need to do.

"You'll die and you'll die and you'll die. Until you tire of trying. What will you do then? Will you kill out of frustration? Or will you give up entirely on this world and let ME inherit the power to control it?"

Wow you didn't think this dude could get any uglier, but that smile it's carrying proved you wrong. What is it even talking about?

"I am the prince of this world's future. Don't worry, my little monarch, my plan isn't regicide. This is SO much more interesting."

Flowey started laughing like the maniac it is, but you stopped it halfway through.

"Alright, I heard enough."

Confused by the sudden interruption, it looked at you questionably. It's the first time the flower hears you talk directly to it.

"Sorry to interrupt your little villain monologue, but how bored are you to create such a speech? Like how long did it take you?"

"Are you serious? How immature are you to be questioning that instead of how you'll avoid your own death?"

You shrug and start walking closer to Flowey. Kneeling down so you could be face to face with the I'm-on-my-villain-arc flower.

"How much of an idiot are you to assume that I care about dying? It doesn't bother me to die a million times if I'm capable of helping someone else. Besides..."

Your hand starts going up towards the flower while it tries to move its body away from you, its 'scary' face coming up once again. Taking a hold of one of the petals you pull on it to the point it's almost torn apart.

"You should be careful with giving me ideas. If I were to start killing out of frustration, you'll be the first one to beg for my mercy. A soulless monster stands out more you know?"

The gentle smile you are showing doesn't fit at all with the things you are saying. This is making an uneasy feeling sink within Chara who's been watching this entire thing go down silently. They know you are doing it just to keep Flowey in check, but damn.

"I can easily find you if I want to. Be careful."

Letting go of the petal, you walk ahead through the door with Chara next to you.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

Hodophile (n.):

One who loves to travel; a traveler with a special affinity for roads.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.

Long chapter because I disappeared and it's time to finally get out of The Ruins!

#chara dreemurr #chara x reader #x reader #undertale x reader #witch reader #reader insert #gender neutral y/n #genderless #fanfic #undertale

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shadedheart138 · 1 year

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CHAPTER TEN!

Goh POV

When we woke up in the morning, it was well past lunchtime.

Oh no, Ash won't be happy that he missed both breakfast and lunch!

I looked around, trying to figure out why his arms weren't around me, like I had expected them to be.

Ah. That's why.

Ash was up and eating lunch, watching TV. Probably waiting for me. Well, now that I was awake, I was going to lay here and do nothing. (LAZY CITY BOI) How long would it take for him to come "wake me up"?

(WAKE ME UP INSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE)

I waited and waited, but he didn't come "wake me up". However, he did come sit beside me, laying my head gently in his lap. He ran his fingers through my hair, moving the strands out of my face. I heard him sigh a deep, contented sigh.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

I slowly opened my eyes, and whispered, "Good morning."

He laughed. "It's well past morning, starshine. How are you?"

(YES HE CALLED HIM STARSHINE- BUT GOH DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE :DDDDDDD)

"I'm ... good. You?" I was deliberately talking slow now, because my normal I-can't-talk-in-complete-sentences thing had kinda worn off by now.

Wait...

"Did you... just call me...?" "Yep. Starshine. Like sunshine, but prettier."

DOESHEMEANTHENAMEORDOESHEMEANME-

(Translation: Does he mean the name or does he mean me-)

I pointed at myself. "Am I Starshine... and you're Sunshine?"

"If you want. I just thought it was pretty- like you- and it reminded me of how you'd go look at the stars and stuff..."

OMGHECALLEDMEPRETTY-

(Translation: OMG He called me pretty-)

"Well, thank you." I said, PERFECTLY calm. I used my pitiful arm strength to push me up, and I kissed him gently on the cheek.

I leaned back down and just looked at him. He raised an eyebrow and one of the corners of his mouth twitched up in a little half-smile.

All of a sudden, his hands moved. And they moved fast.

Ash began tickling me ruthlessly, and I screamed. I squirmed and pushed him, but he wouldn't let me up.

"ASH KETCHUM! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"

He laughed, and wiggled one of his index fingers. "Never." He ran his fingers down my sides, and over my neck. I screeched, trying to push him off of me, and he got up, but he still wouldn't stop.

I fought to get up, but only wound up on the floor. Ash pinned my wrists with his hands and my legs with his knees.

He moved my wrists so that they were both pinned by one hand, and continued tickling me.

I screamed- it was all high pitched and girly- and Ash burst out laughing.

When he calmed down, he said, "Heh... You're so cute."

My face heated up, and I pushed at his arms, trying to get up. "Get off of me!" I yelled, my voice still relatively high. He wouldn't budge, and I resigned myself to my fate.

He flopped on top of me, knocking all the air from my lungs. My arms were no longer pinned, but now I was completely prohibited from moving.

I put my arms around his neck as he buried his face in my chest. He stayed like that for a second, and then moved up, locking his lips with mine. (Now, that one... might... not... have been a closed kiss... )

I have no idea how long we stayed together like that- but we broke away when we heard something shatter.

Ash got up, and let me get up as well.

It was Ren. He was simply staring- blinking rapidly- his coffee cup now in pieces on the floor. At least there hadn't been anything in it.

"Hi, Ren." I muttered, wiping my mouth with my sleeve. He just stood there, staring at me and Ash, and didn't reply.

He mumbled something- "Must be Gengar again..."

I scrambled up and walked in front of him. "N-no. That was... real."

Ren's eyes widened. "You two are...?"

"Yeah. Together."

I rubbed the back of my neck, looking at the floor. THIS IS SO AWKWARD!

He put his hand on my shoulder. "Well. Nice, I guess. How long have you guys... been ... together?"

"Just recently. So, not long. But I've liked him since forever- and I'm pretty sure he'd say the same." Ash replied, trying to save me from the obviously uncomfortable situation.

Ren nodded. "I... uh, should go get a new coffee cup now- and I've got to clean this up... clumsy me..."

He mumbled and went to go get the broom. Ash turned towards me, and wiggled his fingers with a devilish grin on his face. I bolted for the stairs, not giving it another second's thought.

He ran after me, but I was faster. I slammed the door to the guest room just seconds before he came in. I pressed the lock and stood there, panting.

He began wailing pitifully outside the door, "Lonellyyyyyyyyy... I'm mister lonelyyyyyyyyy... I have nobodyyyyyyyy... to call my ownnnnnnn..."

I cracked open the door. "I'll let you in if you stop tickling me-"

He pushed the door before I could finish. I stumbled, and my heel slipped out from under me- and Ash caught me around the waist before I could fall. He held one of my hands, the fingers linked together. I sighed, dragging the other hand over my face.

Ash grinned smugly down at me. I heard rapid footsteps on the stairs, and I tried to warn Ash before the person came up here, but I had just opened my mouth when Chrysa came through the door.

"Ren said-"

I gently stepped back from Ash, looking at the floor. "Yeah... he was right."

She smiled, and nodded knowingly. "Well then, I'll leave you two alone- I was simply curious."

She went back downstairs.

"Goh, why do you step away and look at the floor everytime we're caught together? It's almost like... you're ashamed... or ... nah, that's not right... afraid... no... Nervous? Like... It's like you think you've done something wrong. Yeah, that's it."

I took a deep breath. "Ash, have you told your parents that we're together?"

"Nah. But Mom definitely suspects it. I never talk to Dad much, but if he saw us, he'd ... probably think so too."

"Well, I haven't told mine either. And... Well... I'm almost positive that they won't accept it. I've asked them before- you know, the general opening topic question- 'What do you think of gay people?' and my Dad said that it was unnatural, and Mom... Mom said it was just... wrong. I'll leave it at that. She said it was wrong. So, if I tell them... I don't know what'll happen, but it won't be good."

"Oh." Was all he said.

He thought for a moment, and looked me dead in the eye. "How about we go tell my Mother tomorrow, and we'll tell yours after? That way we'll get them both knocked out and we won't have to worry about it anymore."

I nodded, and said, "As long as you're with me, I think it's possible we'll be fine. Even if neither of our parents accept us- it's not entirely plausible, but certainly possible- then we'll be fine. Right?"

I turned away, about to go sit at the little table and ponder, and Ash caught me by the shoulders. He began rubbing the balls of his thumbs into the back of my neck, easing some of the tense muscles there.

I mumbled something, and closed my eyes tight. It hurt, but it helped.

When he had finished, I murmured, "Thank you." and just kinda sat on the floor.

He sat beside me, and linked my fingers with his. We sat there together for a while.

*Ooooooohhhhhhh I'mma go take a break for a hot minute or a few years-

#Satogou #Firstfriendshipping #Journeyshipping #Fanfiction

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dani-the-mark · 2 years

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A Slept-On Review: AEW Grand Slam 2022

I was going to use the picture of Claudio lifting Jericho but I guess I didn't save it, so I chose the next best thing.

Chris Jericho vs Claudio Castagnoli

I thought we were starting out surprisingly weak, and while I was right, it’s hard to say there was a “weak” match last night. After singing along to Judas into a can of alfredo sauce, all I really cared about was Claudio. The main highlights included Jericho just getting tossed like a child and a swing that made me nauseous. They overplayed an avalanche reversal but it was still physically impressive. We end the match with a low blow. I’m just going to refer to my notes directly on this one: I'm sorry what the fuck. Jericho is not the ROH champion. I’ve seen speculation that this is due to him being a marketable name going into a new television deal, but what I really hope the reason is is that he just wanted to check off this one last belt and retire.

The Acclaimed vs Swerve in our Glory

We start with a proper rap finally. Delicious. The star of the show was Keith Lee, including his incredible huricanrana, and smug no-selling. Because of him, I thought this would be a clean retention. Until it wasn't, and Acclaimed swoops in for a pin. I almost fell off my couch (seriously). I started straight up crying when the pink confetti hit. Our new AEW Tag Team Champions: Anthony Bowens, the first openly gay man champion in AEW history, and Max Caster. The Acclaimed have arrived.

Wheeler Yuta Interview

MJF interrupts Yuta before he gets more than two sentences in. Yuta, unlike a majority of people MJF goes after, not only stands up but throws it right back. Yuta implies that he may go after MJF’s fiance, which he most certainly could. MJF fires back with very personal and dark takes on the members of BBC, and Yuta had enough. There is a tussle, and MJF is sent to the ground with multiple punches from Yuta. Tony also gets sent to the ground, which is both sad and comedic to watch.

Orange Caissy vs Pac

I’m cutting right to my favorite moment here. Orange Casiddy’s drop kick met with a return drop kick from Pac. I flinched. Neck shattering. These men basically just flipped around everywhere, including in and out of the ring, and I ate every bit of it up. Despite Pac giving his all, OC was still consistently cocky. No matter what he had a response to the point, Pax had to use A HAMMER to win. I mean, he didn't need it, but it worked.

Britt Baker D.M.D vs Athena vs Toni Storm vs Serena Deeb

This match is mostly chaos, very fast-paced, and unfortunately short. So your typical women’s match in AEW, but a little more fun. Athena is once again giving me flashbacks by carrying multiple competitors at once. Toni ends up retaining, but not before Britt begins bleeding from the nose as she is keen to do. Jayme runs out and seems she has forgiven Britt for her sabotage during their last title bought at least enough to help attack Toni. Strange music hits and a name flashes across the entrance: SARAYA. Everyone, including me, loses their minds. After the shock settled, and we got that very sweet hug between Saraya, Athena, and Toni, I’m….concerned. As far as I can find, there’s not a solid source on what her injury exactly was or if she is actually capable of wrestling. It was four years ago, but she openly wrestled with the injury to the point of having to retire. After publicly stressing her body that hard, all I can say is that I really, really hope she’s healthy.

Jon Moxley vs Bryan Danielson

Let's go! It’s the last match in this absolutely insane roller coaster of a night. MJF is watching from the crowd. Of course, because Danielson is here, are starting off chopping. Quite a few submissions or submission attempts during this match, including Mox pulling out a LaBelle lock. Bryan somehow kicks out a death rider, and Mox gets out of the LaBelle lock from Danielson. There was also that with both men leg-logged while balancing on their heads, which only physically makes sense because of the men doing it. We get one more death rider on the ramp, and quickly after Mox gets the three count. Jon Moxley becomes a three-time champion, and it is insane in the best way.

We came full circle tonight: bad insane to beautiful insane.

#aew #aew dynamite #dynamite lb #aew wrestling #aew grand slam #a slept on review

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crimson-rosebuds · 2 years

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Nightmares (Bucky Barnes x Reader)🧡💛

| Bucky Barnes (TFATWS) x fem!reader | Warnings: PTSD, alcohol use, and swearing | Bucky has never mentioned his nightmares to you (or anyone really), but one night when you crash at his place, you discover the agony your friend has been in. | Very fluffy ending |

The last thing you remember before passing out was you and Bucky rapidly taking shots. It was a Saturday night, and you had offered to take Bucky out to a bar and have some fun.

"You barely leave this apartment James." you lightly punched the man in his flesh arm. "You look like a kicked puppy just sitting here by yourself. Besides, drinking alone is never fun."

Bucky, being the gentleman he was, didn't let you pay for any of the drinks. It took three beers for him to finally loosen up and start enjoying himself. Which was what spurred the beginning of the end for you.

"I bet you $5 I can take more shots than you in 30 seconds." you challenged.

Bucky laughed at took a sip of his beer. "No way in hell doll, I could drink circles around you all night long."

You smirked. "Let's find out then."

It wasn't until you were on your third shot that you realized your mistake. Sure, you could hold your liquor, you'd never had a problem. But you'd forgotten to account for the super-soldier serum coursing through his veins. That meant that he could drink at least twice his weight and still be functional. You looked next to you as Bucky continued downing the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th shot in a row and quickly realized you were going to lose. You could hear other people cheering him on, which only fueled him to drink more. Not wanting to admit defeat, you continued to take shots against your better judgment. Your throat was on fire and your head was spinning.

"Times up!" the bartender shouted as Bucky finished his final shot.

You looked down at the 6 empty shot glasses in front of you, then looked over to the...20 in front of Bucky. Fuck.

"Looks like I won doll, I think you owe me $5." Bucky smiled as he stepped towards you.

The entire room felt like it was spinning and you could no longer keep your balance. You felt your legs give out and prepared to hit the ground hard when you felt strong arms catch you and lift you off your feet. You slowly turned your head to see Bucky holding you in his arms, a concerned look on his face.

"Hey, Y/n you okay?" he called out, but his voice sounded like it was underwater.

With your remaining strength, you shook your head before promptly passing out in Bucky's arms.

Now you were conscious again, and lying in a bed. You weren't sure how much time had passed, but you could tell it was late. You looked on the nightstand next to you and saw a glass of water and two painkillers. You swallowed both greedily and chugged the rest of the water. You sighed and lied back down. Then you began to recall what had led to you passing out in the first place. Taking shots, getting dizzy, and collapsing...

Bucky.

You sat up again, turned on the lamp on the nightstand, and took in your surroundings. You were in Bucky's apartment. In his bed. The poor man must've carried your limp body all the way home and back into his apartment. You laughed quietly and rubbed your face. Guess you'd learned your lesson about challenging Bucky when it came to drinking.

"No, stop!" you heard a panicked voice say from the living room.

You swung your legs off the bed and quietly padded to the door. You cracked it open and saw Bucky lying on the floor of his living room tossing and turning. His bare chest was covered in sweat and he was panting.

"Please," he gasped. "Please I'll do anything, no more. I'll do whatever you want just...Please no more." Bucky choked back a sob.

Your heart shattered into a million pieces. You knew of Bucky's past, you'd been friends for years, but he'd never mentioned having nightmares. He seemed to be trapped in the past, back to being tortured by Hydra. You carefully tiptoed to his side and knelt down next to him. You didn't know if waking him would help or hurt him, but you knew you had to do something.

"NO!" Bucky shouted and bolted upright. His muscular chest heaved up and down. His eyes were red and watery.

"Hey, Buck." you took his face in your hands and turned him to look at you. "It's okay, you're safe." you searched his eyes for some shred of emotion but all you got was emptiness. Like he wasn't mentally there. "James." you tried again.

His gaze snapped back into focus and he looked up at you. "Y/n."

"It's okay, I'm here now." you whispered.

"I'm sorry, I woke you up huh?" he turned away from you.

"No, I was already awake. I heard you yelling." you sat down and crossed your legs. "I didn't know you were having these nightmares. You should've told me."

Bucky shook his head. "Didn't wanna burden you doll. Besides, they're not that bad."

"That's bullshit and we both know it. Look at me, Barnes."

Bucky sniffed and reluctantly turned his head in your direction. He looked tired. Sad and broken and tired. "They tortured me. They broke me. For seventy years they chipped away at me, piece by piece until I was an emotionless machine. Even now that I have my mind back, I can't quite shake off the hold they had on me. I know Shuri helped me, but I'm still trapped in the past. Like I'm gonna wake up and still be a prisoner of Hydra. I don't want to go back. I wish I could just forget." Bucky's voice quivered at the end.

You instinctively reached out and hugged him, pressing his head into your chest. You ran your fingers through his soft hair and whispered reassuring words to him.

"It's okay now Buck. I've got you. No one's ever gonna lay a finger on you. Not while I'm here." you whispered into his hair.

Bucky's breathing slowed and his heart stopped racing. His body unwound itself until he was calm again.

You let go of him and cupped his cheek in your hand. "How often do you have these nightmares?"

"Almost every night," he whispered.

You sighed. "Bucky I promise, you aren't burdening me. Call if this ever happens again and I'll come over." "No." Bucky shook his head and stood up, throwing the blanket he had aside. "If I do that, it'll open the floodgates. I'll be calling you every night and then you'll be just as sleep-deprived as me." he moved across the room and to the other side of the kitchen sink.

You stood up and walked to his side. "I don't care Buck. I won't be able to sleep now knowing that you're suffering. Let me help. Let me in." you touched his vibranium arm and looked at the floor. "I care about you so much James. I wish you could see how much I love you." you said, the last part barely audible. But Bucky's heightened sense of hearing picked it up.

He turned to you and you met his gaze. "Wish I could see what?" he tilted his head.

You shook your head. "Not now, I shouldn't." you waved your hands and stepped back.

Bucky snatched your wrist and pulled you back into his space, his gorgeous blue eyes staring you down. "Say it doll."

You huffed and looked away, your cheeks red and hot. "I-I shouldn't Buck. It's late and we've both been drinking-"

"Y/n." Bucky said sternly, cutting you off.

"Fine! I wish you could see how much I love you Bucky!" you shouted.

The silence that followed was deafening.

"You love me?" Bucky stated in disbelief. He turned your face so you would look at him. "How come you never said anything doll?"

You shrugged and wiped your eyes. "Figured you didn't feel the same way, and I didn't want to risk our friendship. Besides I always thought you had a thing for Nat."

Bucky threw his head back and laughed. "Nat's pretty, but she's nothing compared to you."

Now your cheeks were really red. You stepped closer to Bucky and he rested his forehead on yours. "I've been crushing on you ever since we met. I just didn't know how to make you mine." you said quietly.

"All you had to do was ask." Bucky whispered and you looked up into his eyes.

"Will you be mine, Bucky Barnes?" you asked, hope in your heart.

"I'd be honored doll." Bucky smiled and leaned his head down to capture your lips in a kiss.

And oh boy did he kiss you.

No one would ever be able to compare to the way Bucky kissed you. There was a tenderness that you had never known before, the loving touch of his lips on yours. And there was the hunger. The passion behind your lips connecting. He moved in perfect sync with you, his movements complimenting yours. His tongue found its way to your bottom lip and then into your mouth. You felt dizzy with happiness, like you were floating. Bucky leaned into the kiss, completely engulfing you in his affection. He stole the air from your lungs. Your hands had found their home around his neck and in his hair. Bucky lifted you into his arms and you clutched his shoulders.

“Fuck." you whispered, your head beginning to spin.

"What?" Bucky kissed your jaw.

"Still a little dizzy." you pressed your head to his again.

Bucky gently shifted you into bridal style and carried you to his bed. He slowly lowered you onto the mattress before grabbing your empty glass and walking back to the kitchen.

You put a hand to your forehead. You were hot and you were breathing like you'd run a marathon. Your face was still red and you felt like you were glowing.

Bucky returned to the bedroom with your glass of water and offered you some. He sat down next to you as you began drinking the entire cup.

"Hey hey," Bucky stopped you. "Slow down. There's plenty more where that came from."

You nodded and put the half-empty glass down. You laced your fingers with Bucky's and looked up at him. "Guess we know who's the better drinker. I still owe you $5."

Bucky laughed. "Keep your money doll. That kiss you gave me was a much better reward. Besides, I kinda cheated. Alcohol doesn’t affect me cuz of the serum."

“You asshole!” you smacked Bucky on the shoulder. “You should’ve told me that before I drank myself into passing out!”

Bucky chuckled. “Sorry doll, I just wanted to see how many you could take. 6 shots is impressive.” he winked.

“Whatever.” you jokingly rolled your eyes. You returned your gaze to Bucky’s handsome face. You were still in shock that he was yours now. Yet even through his good looks, you could see the exhaustion. The pain. You hadn’t really seen it before, but now that his walls were down, you saw how hard he was fighting. A part of you felt helpless. What could you do? You weren’t a therapist by any means. You came to the conclusion that even though you didn’t have a degree in psychology, you could still help Bucky in other ways. You reached out and squeezed his hand to get his attention. “I meant what I said earlier. Call me when you have those nightmares and I'll come over, no questions asked."

"Doll, I can't ask you to do that." Bucky shook his head. "That's way too much back and forth."

"Then let me move in." you said boldly.

The two of you stared at each other in silence. You mentally cursed yourself for saying that. What were you thinking?

Bucky was the one to break the quiet moment. "You'd actually want to move in with me? This soon?"

You put your hands up. "I know it's early, it just kinda came out. I'm sorry I-"

"Do you want to move in with me Y/n, yes or no?" Bucky stopped you.

You shut your mouth and fiddled the hem of your shirt. Did you want to move in with him? Sure it was quick, but you'd been in love with Bucky for a while now. You'd never admit it, but your apartment was lonely too. Having a roommate would definitely help that, not to mention make the rent a little more manageable.

"Y/n?" Bucky snapped you out of your thoughts.

"Yeah, I'd like to move in with you. It's kinda soon considering we just had our first kiss five minutes ago but," you took a deep breath. "I've had feelings for you for a while now Buck. And I think both of us could use some company."

"I don't care if it's too soon, I love you doll." Bucky kissed your hand and gazed into your eyes.

You could feel the butterflies in your stomach. He had actually said it back. He'd said those three magic words. "It's settled then." you laced your fingers with his. "Perfect timing. My lease ends next week."

"I'll ask Sam to help us move your stuff out and over here." Bucky nodded.

"Won't he be, you know, skeptical? We are kinda rushing into things."

"I don't give two shits what Sam thinks."

You smacked Bucky and he pretended to be hurt by your actions.

"Fine, Sam is a good friend and I appreciate him. But I don't mind what he thinks. All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life by your side doll. I'd follow you to the ends of the Earth."

You smiled, as a yawn crept up on you. "I know you would Buck."

Bucky gently took you by the waist and guided you under the blankets. He reached over your small frame and shut the lamp off. Then he settled behind you and wrapped his arm around you. Bucky rested his head in the crook of your neck and closed his eyes.

You put your hand on top of his and snuggled into his warmth. From now on, your life would be measured as before Bucky and after Bucky. Everything had changed with that single kiss. Your life had changed forever, but you didn't mind one bit.

And Bucky? He'd had it rough for a while. Life had dragged him through the mud and left him to die. But for the first time in his life, he felt good about something. He had hope. You gave him that hope. You helped him see the good in the world when there was nothing left. He finally felt like he had someone to open up to. And for the first time in years, Bucky slept peacefully.

#bucky barnes fluff #bucky x female reader #bucky barnes imagine #tfatws #james buchanan barnes #bucky barnes x reader #marvel #sebastian stan

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happyselves · 3 years

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Budapest { Lando Norris x reader one shot }

Breaking up sucks as it is, but to be dumped in an airport where you were going to a grand prix of formula 1 was worse … It was both of your dreams and he renounced it because of insecurities toward you. Admitting a “mistake” he had made with one of your commun friends, sleeping with her. You had to think fast in that airport, either you leave and go live one of your dreams or you step out of his place and go back home and cry for weeks. The answer was quickly found. You leave him and his baggage, not turning your back, deciding to not cry for the asshole you had spent so many time building a life he had destroyed in a snap of his fingers.

However the grand prix didn’t happen how you wanted it to. You had not really thought of him, too busy with the environment around you, sharing for your favorite drivers, freely wearing his merch that you had bought because you didn’t have any reason not to know that you didn’t have someone telling you off. Your now ex used to hate when you were showing your obsession and fascination toward the young driver that was Lando Norris. The dit driver had a great start but all his effort went in vain when the Mercedes driver hit the back of his car and ruined his race, forcing him to retire.

At first you didn’t know how to react, but when you saw him on the big screen in front of you, all the sadness and frustration and all the anger and hatred toward your ex boyfriend was transferred to this. You wanted to leave right away, but you stay, to support your team because Daniel Ricciardo was still in the race. You cheered as much as you could, exhausting yourself mentally and physically but it wasn’t enough and the number 3 car was too damaged to reach the point in the head. It was a shame, but that is the hard law of this sport. After this terrible race you had no heart in celebrating the win for Ocon even if you were extremely happy for him, so you went back to your hotel and went to bed.

The next day was quiet and you spent time in the city, you didn't feel great so you just walked through the city and visited stuff … alone. This time no crowd and loud car could distract you from your own thoughts. Your ex boyfriend was all you could think about now. The memories you had together, the dog, the apartment. By leaving and not facing it you were pushing the moment and you knew it will hurt even more next time you will have to face him.

It was the evening and it was getting cooler, you get your merch hoodie out of your bag and wear it. You find a nice spot on a bench in front of the river crossing the city and you put yourself in a cocoon, your legs closed to your chest and your head on your knees, hugging yourself for comfort as you watch the sunset. The tears came on their own, you were lost in your thoughts and you didn’t notice the man sitting next to you. You were so lost that you were now hearing Lando talking to you in your brain.

“You know it’s a pretty spot to watch the sunset, but not alone,” You puff a quick laugh, even your own mind was making stuff up and you didn’t know why, but you were ready to have a full conversation with yourself. At least your brain was nice enough to create someone that looked like your favorite driver. “ That’s funny, I’m that desperate that I’m talking to myself now, great, next stop the psy,” you weren’t waiting for any response, but you got one anyway. “ Well maybe your brain isn’t making this up ?” Another sound came out of you, were you ready to have a full argument with your own self. “ It wouldn’t be the first time I’m daydreaming about a handsome man talking to me out of nowhere, but I know my luck, why do you think I got dumped just before going on vacation ? I’m nothing … “ You were resigned, the tears kept falling and the pain kept coming. “ Well then he is an idiot, to let a beautiful woman, with great taste may I have, go. This man is obviously blind.” You had a great imagination to be able to hear Lando’s voice so clearly in your head that it felt like he was just next to you.

You turn your head toward what you thought the voice was coming from and there he was, sitting next to you, looking at you with fondness. Damn you really needed help if even your blurry eyes by the wet tears could recreate his whole body and face in front of you.

At any point you thought it might be true even if you were both in the same city, the odds were too big and he would probably be in his hotel room by now enjoying some games with his mates on his computer or watching netflix.

“ That’s not fair that you create this for me, I do not deserve to have such a beautiful daydream like this, seeing him this weekend from afar was one thing but to now trick me and build this masquerade in my mind to ease my pain, that’s really new brain.” You were feeling crazy and you were trying not to sound like one, you were talking to yourself and you were scared that others will think of you as someone with less sanitary than an average human being.

Yet, your fake Lando get closer to you and start touching your arm, you didn’t even flinch when you sense his touch, you know you wouldn’t be able to feel anything because if one thing you learn is that touching isn’t a sense the brain is capable of reproduction to the perfection in your brain when you are dreaming. Then why were you feeling it, why suddenly his touch felt so reassuring and real. You blind repeatedly trying to wake yourself from this sweet dream you were living because this couldn’t be real and it was starting to feel scary.

Lando didn’t move his arm from you even if you tried to gently push him away and put some distance back between you. You weren’t certain this wasn’t reality anymore because as you took his arm, you felt him, your grip on him was real. You lock your eyes on him, focusing on every detail of this creation in your own mind. You knew the shirt he was wearing and the shorts as well, you knew how he looks after running as well so that was a normal thing, but every little detail of him only a person being super close to him could imagine, that you had never experienced and yet here everything was here in front of you. He never felt so him and so real in the flesh. Your fingers found the scruff on his chin and felt the small hair tickling your palm.

That’s where you realise … Lando Norris was in front of you, in the flesh as real as you wear. You come back right back to your senses when you see the sunset and keep drawing beautiful colors in the sky. Lando was amused by the situation, you weren’t.

“ Oh sleeping beauty is coming back from the daydream ?” Somehow he arranges a lock of hair missing on your face, putting it behind your ear. You jerk at the touch now knowing that you were imagining things. You stand up quickly and try to avoid him, walking like a lunatic in front of the bench right to left. “ You know, you are the first fan I've met that acts like this, quite refreshing. “ You stop and track and look at him, really look at him.

“ How do you know I am a fan of yours ?” If this wasn’t the dumbest question you had ever asked, you didn’t know how to be more embarassing of yourself.

“ Well at first I wasn’t really sure, then I saw you on that bench, curl up in a small little ball wearing my hoodie merch, then you basically confirm it when you thought I was a pure product of your imagination,” You were hiding your face now, you bet your cheeks were red. You were mortified to ever have thought you were this desperate that your brain could be creating him, but even more when you knew he had to witness that.

“ I’m sincerely sorry, I ruined your evening run, “ You were apologizing to him, ready to take your bag and run away from this situation, to forget everything that happened. It wasn’t the best timing for you to meet one of your idols, that’s not how you had imagined things to go if one day you would have the courage to try and meet him.

As you tried to take your bag, he stopped you and took your arm. It was like the first, but this time all you could think about was the butterflies appearing in your stomach. Lando was the only person you could dump your boyfriend for … your ex-boyfriend. Before you had time to dive in your thoughts once more he spoke to you.

“ Please don’t go, I should be the one apologizing, I let you think you were insane because I was amused and you’ve made my day to be honest. I felt less alone. “ He was brutally honest suddenly and your heart shattered even more, making your recent break up put on the second plan, focusing on the man in front of you only.

It’s true that you didn’t notice at first, but he was looking tired, not only physically but mentaly. He brings you closer to him, silently asking you to sit where you were in the beginning.

You were both smiling to each other and without any of you being able to control it you end up talking a long time on that bench, not realising it was now dark. Only when Lando’s phone buzzed did you both realise that you had been exchanging your deepest secrets to each other, telling each other's life like you were best friends finding their way back to each other. You even forgot he was a famous racing driver at some point, not caring much because you were now truly seeing the man behind the helmet and you like him even more.

You sense a sort of sadness when he picks up his phone to respond to his manager. Of course they were worrying, he told them he was gone for half an hour, not three hours. You thought he would lie about where he was, being cheeky and keeping his privacy and you were ready to take that small hit behind your head that you bring you both back into your respective life, otherwise he surprised you once more by being honest and telling his manager the truth. He was smiling at you and his eyes were glued on your face with that same fondness you thought your brain had made up earlier. He hanged up and his body turn toward you.

“ So as you can guess I have to go, but I have the feeling that if I don’t ask to come with me, it would be one of the biggest mistakes of my life, so … “ He was scared to continue, evaluating the reaction on your face, but he must have seen something in you that confirmed something in him and made him continue, “ I’m not applying anything, it’s to talk obviously, but would you like to accompany me to my hotel and maybe see each other again ? I’m leaving wednesday night, of course you can refuse I wouldn’t take it bad”

Two choices were now in front of you and you could only choose one. The first one was obviously saying no and going back to England where you are from and facing the hard reality of your ex and the second one was to push your plane ticket to next wednesday and spend time with him. There was actually nothing to think about as you simply said yes to him and followed him to his hotel that night. You didn’t do anything, only talking and even meeting the whole team. You tried your best not to fangirl like a teenager but you couldn’t help yourself showing the admiration you had for everyone of them and they already knew with the hoodie you were wearing anyway. That night was one of the best in your life, you talk all night in his room and end up falling asleep on his chest. It is the first time since you’ve been alone that you finally find peace in your sleep and truly rest and somehow you felt it was the same for him. This is why he asks you to stick around with him, even for the Pirelli test. You were not only living your dream now, but you were living it with him and it was even better. You felt lucky and you were now wondering what would have happened if you had not gone to that place and kept those grand prix tickets. You could care less, Lando made you forget all the pain this ex of yours had afflicted you for the past week. You had fun and everyone was so welcoming and nice to you, explaining everything around the paddock, you even found yourself laughing with Daniel Ricciardo at some point during the day.

The looks you send to each other on the other hand were far from being only friendly, there were something more. Your body was acting on its own and he was so receptive to it. Everyone in the garage could sense something that both of you were ignoring, but they were polite enough not to make a word of it or tease the young driver for it. You were secretly thanking them to not make this moment awkward, you were already still thinking you were in a deep dream or coma, not wanting to wake up just yet.

The day went fast and ended up in a nice dinner in his room, still talking and joking. At some point it was the second night in a row you fell asleep on him, while watching something on tv. It really wasn’t your type to trust a stranger even if this one was famous and you “ knew him “. You didn’t want to live dangerously,but for sure that difficult time ahead of you was making you enjoy the best of life without thinking about the next day.

Lando was stroking you slowly as he was finishing the movie you were watching before you found Morphee, kissing your head before turning everything off and joining you in dreamland as well.

You were sure the people at your own hotel were wondering where you were,and when the next day you finally came back to it, Lando quickly behind you, you could swear you had seen a smirk flashing on the front desk woman’s face. You hadn’t expected the man next to you to find a way and arrange the plane ticket you had to take for going home, to be weirdly the same plane as him and the seat next to him. You both didn’t really want to come back to reality and go to your respecting mundane life just yet.

The last day was as good as the day before other than that bittersweet feeling you had depe down, not wanting to let this go just yet. You didn’t know how you could enjoy this little bit of life he had show you, you were already addicted to this lifestyle, to that travel, hotel and paddock life, this crazy life of him and most important you knew how fucked you were because you realise soon enough that you were already addicted to him quite simply.

Both of you were staying quiet about your soon departure from each other and until the last moment you didn’t aboard the subject, but every good dream had a end and it’s on that parking lot when you saw the whole team leaving one by one to find their car that you realise it was the end of his fairy tale. Lando had held your hand tight the whole time, you were ready to let it go and leave this mind forever when he decided otherwise and asked you where you were going tonight now that you weren’t with your boyfriend. You hadn’t thought of that of course you hadn’t, how can you think about this when this beautiful and genuine nice man in front of you had replaced as quickly as he came in your life all your thoughts. It’s like he knew right away and didn’t let you answer, your luggage was already in the lack of his car with him and you were both driving to his place. Every woman would be afraid, why weren’t you that was the question.

“ I’m not ready to let you go, I don’t want to, “ That what he said to you as he pull his car in front of his house before adding up, “ I don’t even think I will be able to let you go ever in the rest of my life, “ You didn’t know what to say to that, you were only focusing on him, only him and the only thing you could think about right now was the close that damn gap between you two and kiss him. So you did and it was even more beautiful that the fireworks on national day, the butterflies in your stomach were moving so much that you could feel yourself flying except you were still in this car with him, his hands in your hair, messing the already messy bun you had for travelling, savoring every bit of your lips for the first time, like it was the last. When you finally pull away from each other to catch your breath, your forehead finds him.

“ I’m not going anywhere. “

MASTERLIST

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minty-mumbles · 2 years

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Feathered Freak, Winged Wonder (Ch. 3)

Chapter Summary: Wild wakes up, and something world shattering is revealed to him.

AN: Finally got this finished! Thank you guys for waiting so patiently for me to get it done 🥰 Thank you to @transzeldas for beta reading this chapter for me! :)

(AO3) - (Previous Chapter | Next Chapter)

~~~

The process of coming back to consciousness was quicker this time. As he blinked his eyes open, weak sunlight hit them, making him squint.

If he had to guess, he would say it was early morning. There was a quiet heaviness in the air. The feeling was familiar from the times he had taken the third watch or had awoken early to cook something for breakfast. He could tell most of the others were still asleep. Steady breathing was heard from all around him, along with the quiet chirps of birds. His head was still pulsing slightly, but his pain was gone. All that was left was a familiar hazy feeling that he knew came with pain potions, and a pressure that told him he should be relieved that he couldn’t feel the ache anymore.

He shifted, sitting up. His back and wing ached where Time’s longshot had caught him the day before. He huffed slightly, instinctually reaching to scratch at the wound, but caught himself before he managed to injure himself further and mess up the bandages.

He took in his surroundings. As predicted, most of the other heroes were sleeping, or at least doing a very good job pretending to do so. Across the clearing, on the opposite side of the fire, Hyrule and Time were silently keeping watch. Time had the Biggoron sword in his lap, polishing it as he often did when he was lost in deep thought. Hyrule had his head in his hands, leg bouncing anxiously. The pair’s heads whipped around as they heard Wild shifting to sit up.

The three stared at each other for a while. Wild knew he should run while they were on the other side of the fire and he still had a chance, but…

He was tired.

Hyrule spoke softly as if he were talking to a frightened animal. “Are you going to try and run again?” He kept his face as calm as possible, but Wild could tell he was upset.

Wild tilted his head, staring at the pair for a few moments and trying to gauge their reactions. They met his eyes steadily, although they both looked slightly uncomfortable making eye contact. After a few tense seconds, he shook his head. Hyrule let out a relieved sigh, relaxing slightly. Time remained tense, as if he believed Wild was lying and was going to bolt any moment.

To be fair, Wild could very well run. Even he didn’t know if he would.

When Wild moved to sit around the fire, Time let out a deep sigh, but it was once again Hyrule who ended up breaking the silence. “I think we've been going about this the wrong way.”

“Don’t think there's a good way to go about killing me, Hyrule.” Wild snapped. He was finally sick of this game, this dance of life and death. He was tired of passing out and thinking he would never wake up, only to be dragged back to the world of the living.

Time sucked in a deep breath, placing his head in his hands, face pinched. Something instinctual deep inside Wild told him he’d said something very wrong.

Hyrule was his only lifeline, remaining steady in the face of Wild’s anger. The traveler closed his eyes briefly, looking pained, but mostly didn't react to Wild’s statement, only nodding. When he opened his eyes again, he looked balefully at the Champion. Wild nonsensically felt a little ashamed for snapping like he had, despite the fact it was justified.

Hyrule spoke. “I had suspected something like this. You weren’t really reacting like you should have to us just- I’m-” Here, he seemed to get choked up, as if the words were getting stuck in his throat. Eventually, he was able to keep talking. “I’m… A secret for a secret, okay?” Wild merely arched his eyebrow at the seeming subject change. He didn't get where Hyrule was going with this but nodded regardless. Time also looked up curiously from where he had his face buried in his hands. Apparently, he had no clue what Hyrule was talking about either.

Hyrule took a steadying breath, before speaking quietly. The words left him in a rush as if he was finally setting down a heavy weight he had been carrying for years.“I’m half fae.”

Wild blinked. That was rather anticlimactic. He didn’t know what that meant. Half fae? How was that even possible? Was he born from a fairy? That didn't really make sense. Unless his mother was a great fairy?

He was brought out of his musings when he saw the look on Time’s face. The old man looked more shocked than Wild had ever seen him. “Truthfully?” he asked.

Hyrule nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all earlier, but, well, I’ve never been able to really talk to many people about my heritage before. I don’t know how it is in your eras. But in mine, Fae are hunted down for their healing magic. And that includes anyone with fae blood.”

Time’s eyes widened, horror dawning across his face as he turned to look at Wild. Apparently, he had drawn some sort of conclusion that Wild was a few short puzzle pieces away from understanding. “No,” he gasped, his eyes wide with horror. “You were serious? You thought we were trying-”

He was cut off abruptly by Hyrule raising a hand to stop him. “So, I think I understand how you’re feeling, am I right?” The traveler asked.

Wild shrugged, nodding. Probably. It didn’t seem like it was exactly the same- there was no reason Avians were hunted in Wild’s era. They had no healing abilities to covet or magic to hoard, but it seemed similar enough. The anxiety Hyrule must feel every day, the constant need to hide? That, at least, was hauntingly familiar to Wild.

Time couldn’t hold himself back anymore. “No. No, that’s outrageous.” Wild flinched away from Time, and the man’s angry denial was stopped as Hyrule placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.

“In my era,” Hyrule said evenly, ”Avains are sacred. They’re beacons of hope in hard times. Symbols that the gods haven’t abandoned us yet. They are not hunted.” He paused, before correcting himself. “Or at least…. They shouldn't be. There’s a black market for everything, after all, but… Avians don’t have to hide themselves away, not if they don’t want to.”

Time nodded, seemingly getting his emotions back in check for now. “It’s similar in my era as well.”

There was silence after they dropped that bombshell.

Wild felt numb. Just… numb. He had never even considered…

That this abuse and fear Avians faced their whole lives… It hadn’t always been this way. Of course people from distant eras would view Avians differently. Of course they would. For Hylia’s sake, he knew the history of the Sheikah and their prosecution at the hands of the royal family… Why had he never thought that perhaps Avains had once been held in high regard, as the Sheikahs had?

Ever since he had woken from the shrine, he had always been so focused on surviving, he had never thought-

Then again, not that it would have mattered, not until he got swept up in an adventure with eight heroes from the ancient past.

But now, at least, Time and Hyrule were saying that Avians were not required to hide, fearful for their lives. In fact, it sounded like they were somewhat revered, as symbols of the goddess.

Wild didn’t let himself dwell on it too much. Thinking about what could have been never helped anyone, and only brought pain when you realized you could never have that.

Wild only realized that he had been silent, processing that new information for a while when Hyrule hesitantly spoke up. “Wild?” Hyrule paused as if unsure whether to continue, but went on when Wild tilted his head curiously at him. “Can I ask you a question?” Wild nodded his head, still a little dazed.

He was snapped out of his funk when Hyrule turned to reach behind him. For a moment, Wild thought the traveler was going to draw his sword on him. When he turned back around, however, it wasn't metal he held in his hands, but leather.

“What is this? It was with the rest of your things by the stream, and… none of us recognize it, but…” He shrugged, letting the obvious go unsaid. Of course it had something to do with Wild’s Wings.

Wild grimaced. The sight of his binder in anyone else's hands was foreign. Hyrule absently ran his hands of the worn leather, feeling for the first time the familiar creases that Wild knew by heart, that pressed against his skin every single day.

“It’s a wing binder. It keeps my wings laying as flat as possible against my back. With that and my cloak, my wings are hidden well enough. The spirit of the former king of Hyrule gave it to me after I woke.” Wild huffed, rolling his eyes at his past self’s stupidity. “It’s the only reason I’m still alive today. Without him, I would have flown off the plateau and gotten killed myself. I think he was desperate enough for someone to save his daughter, he would even take an Avian as a hero.”

Hyrule tilted his head, holding up the binder curiously. “If you weren’t given this by an Avian, does that mean you've never seen another Avian before?”

“Not really….” Wild shivered, drawing his wings closer around him, snuggling into their fluffy down. His voice had a slight tremble to it, giving away that wasn’t the whole truth of the situation.

He had never told anyone about this, but even Zelda. He hadn’t wanted anyone to question why he had been so affected by it. Everyone Hyrule was conditioned to be used to violence towards Avians. “Well… I did see one. She was- she was discovered at one of the stables. They held her down and ripped her wings off as trophies. She was left on the ground to bleed out.”

There was quiet for a few minutes after that, the other contemplating his words. The silence was only interrupted by Hyrule standing to put a pot of water over the flames, and adding out a sachet of tea from his bag. Wild got the feeling he did so more to break the oppressive silence than out of any real want for tea.

Eventually, Time spoke, drawing Wild’s eyes up from where he had been twisting his hands together in his lap, for a lack of anything better to do. “And you thought we would....” Time trailed off, staring at his own hands guiltily. His eyes quickly flickered to Wild’s wings, and the bandages wrapped around one of them.

Wild sighed. He could clearly see Time’s thought process, and did not want to deal with Time’s guilt right now. “Yes. She had been traveling with her brother. He hadn’t known about her wings, and he was the one who...” He made a violent ripping motion with his hands, and the others winced. “So... ” He trailed off with a sigh, shrugging dejectedly.

“She couldn’t get away? Avians are pretty fast, from what I’ve seen.” Wild was tempted to ask exactly how many Avians Time had actually seen flying, but pushed the thought down.

“No… My wings are an exception in my era. They were healed by the Shrine, I think? Wing binders hide our wings, but they also restrict the wings' growth as we age. If someone’s been wearing them all their life, their wings look a bit…” Here, he paused searching for the right word, before finally settling on, “Mangled.” Wild shuddered as he thought of the state that girl’s wings had been in. They had been horrifying. She must have been living with extreme pain her whole life.

He let out a small sigh, not letting himself think about the fact that he most likely had suffered the same fate before the Shrine had healed him. “Well, they’re too small to fly with, at any rate.” Hyrule and Time eyed his wings. No doubt they were comparing them to whatever image Wild’s words had conjured up in their minds.

Wild glanced towards Hyrule for his reaction. The traveler looked a little sick at the thought.

Wild didn’t know what being half fae meant, exactly, but maybe Hyrule had wings like Wild did. Maybe he had to bind them too. Maybe he knew that pain of restricting part of yourself, stunting its growth.

Wild continued, reluctantly, his eyes falling back down to his lap. “So she could only run. They caught her pretty fast. I couldn’t do anything for her. I couldn’t intervene, or people would question why, and that would lead to- and I couldn’t die, I had to save Zelda, I had to save Hyrule, and I-” He gasped, hunching over. “I didn’t even know her name. I couldn’t even do anything for her. She was begging for help and I had to just sit there and look at her when-”

He was startled out of his memories by a hand settling on his knee. He froze, like a deer in lantern light. What-

“Wild? You’re okay.” The calm reassurance made him relax for a moment. It was just Hyrule. Just Hyrule, who already knew his secret. Who knew his secret, and wasn’t going to do anything to him. Hyrule, who had been through something similar.

Wild suddenly realized he was crying. Tears were slowly dripping down his face. At some point, his wings had wrapped around himself of their own volition, cloaking him in darkness. The dark was calming, blocking out the world, and blocking the world’s view of him. He shrank into himself, hugging himself tightly with one arm, while the other hand moving to cover his mouth to muffle his sobs.

Hyrule had approached him, slipping a hand through Wild’s wings to rest it on his leg comfortingly. He spoke gently, with a softness Wild knew he reserved only for his invited patients. “Move those pretty wings for me? I want to give you a hug.” Wild did as the traveler asked, nodding desperately. He still had a hand clasped over his mouth, trying to muffle himself. He didn’t want to wake the heroes who were sleeping. He was sure his face was a mess, but he didn’t care. He just wanted a hug so goddesses-damned bad.

The second he had his wings out of the way, Hyrule had him wrapped tightly in his arms. Wild melted into the embrace. A small part of him in the back of his mind warned that Hyrule was in the perfect position to slip a knife between his ribs, but Wild did his best to ignore that. He just wanted a hug, without thinking about the dangers it presented to him. He didn't want to think about being stabbed in the back, he didn’t want to have to worry about how someone might feel his wings through his binder if they embraced him.

And for the first time in his short life, he didn’t have to.

His wings were out of his binder, and Hyrule wasn’t disgusted with them.

The traveler held him for a long time as Wild shook and fell apart in his arms. He could hear Hyrule murmuring to Time quietly. “To live like that… Well, I would say I can't imagine, because honestly, I can. I never should have asked…”

Eventually, Wild quieted. Not because he had run out of tears, but because he was simply too tired to cry anymore. A headache was starting to form once again behind his eyes, so he kept them closed. Every few inhales, his breath hitched involuntarily as he tried to steady his breathing.

Hyrule eventually drew away. Wild opened his eyes and was met with Hyrule’s gentle smile. Wild averted his eyes, embarrassed. The shoulder of Hyrule’s tunic was wet with tears, and Wild doubted he looked very attractive right now. He certainly didn't feel like it. He felt shaky, like he was going to fall into pieces any moment.

Time was still sitting next to Hyrule on the log, looking slightly uncomfortable, but Wild ignored him. Time would talk about what was bothering him when he wanted to. Wild didn’t have the mental capacity to question him right now.

Instead, he fell into Hyrule's lap, burying his face into the traveler's stomach. His wings laid sprawled out and vulnerable behind him. Hyrule made a curious noise but didn’t protest, so Wild didn't bother to move.

He was just so tired, and he didn’t want to deal with the world right now.

Just as he was about to slip into oblivion, Time’s voice broke through his haze. It startled him for a moment, but not enough for him to open his eyes. “Wild, I’m sorry.” Wind didn’t ask for clarification. The ache in his shoulder was a very prominent reminder of what Time was talking about. He considered Time’s actions and his apology, weighing them in his mind. It was rare for the old man to say he was sorry so plainly. He only did so if he felt the apology was truly deserved.

He sighed. “It’s okay. I think I get it now. I’m kinda glad you did...” He broke himself off with a yawn before continuing. “I don't want to lose you. I would have lost you if you had let me fly.”

Time was silent for a little while, as Wild fought to keep himself awake. After a few moments, Wild felt a hand start to card through his hair. “Go to sleep, Wild.”

Wild wouldn’t have much trouble following that order. Hyrule’s lap was comfortable enough, and he was so tired. The soothing hand stroking his hair, as well as the soft conversation of the pair above him that he couldn’t be bothered to focus on, slowly lulled him to sleep.

As he let sleep claim him- true, honest sleep, not fainting- he thought, maybe, just maybe, he would actually wake up this time.

As the sun peeked over the trees, it marked another first in WIld’s life. The first time he had allowed himself to fall asleep with his wings unbound.

#mint's fanfiction #linked universe #lu fanfiction #lu wild #wing au #winged wild #lu wild angst #angst #hurt/comfort #lu time #lu Hyrule #wing fic

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l-artemisia-del-secolo · 3 years

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Autumn day

Yelena Belova x reader, oneshot, just a special day for both of you

The road was as if shining with all the golden leaves neatly folded by the autumn's arm. Yelena even asked you to drive slower, so that she could enjoy almost audible whisper of leaves crunching. It was your very special tradition to spend weekends in your little house in the forest. Not often could you allow yourself this whim, often losing yourself in world shattering conflicts.

But tonight you could forget about everything. Both of you were not needed, not required for the greater good.

Yelena could see how the air was becoming transparent, losing all the fog and dirt as you were driving further from the last town on the route.

For her such trips were always a very special experience. She trusted you enough to let go of the control, while sitting near you. She didn't care about the destination as long as the way there was with you. She rarely spoke, opting for just a few glances, that you always felt on your heart.

Because of one of the pits on the road your daughter woke up. Instantly the car was filled with her cheerful voice. Yelena was amazed how she had your voice but already her accent.

You smiled while looking in the rearview mirror. With her eyes a little tired, messy hair and a touch of irritation she was just like Yelena after the assignments. Natty was her tiny copy.

All those whys and wheres and hows questions of your child reminded Yelena of her own journey to discover the world. She was so lucky you were with her during that time. Helping, caring and protecting, shielding her from pain and absurd. Now it was the time for both of you to do the same for Natty.

Clouds that day were devouring the sun. Moment by moment as you were approaching your hidden cabin, the downpour was threatening to crash your car, but instead there were only a few drops. Yelena was tracing their intricate descent on the other side of the window.

"I hope both of you are not scared of the rain." You turned on the wipers.

"How can a spy be afraid of the rain? Tell her, mom."

"She's right, love. That would be a very bad spy." Yelena put her hand on your hip.

"Well, at least that spy could have fewer mission." You nudged her with your elbow, not letting go of the steering wheel.

She didn't answer, only smiled in the rearview mirror.

After another hour and a few more Yelena's attempts to get her legs on the dashboard you stopped at the gas station.

"Can I get some chips?" Your daughter asked shyly.

Yelena caught your silent approval with her eyes and nodded. She stayed near the car, while you and Natty went to the shop. Few minutes and you returned with two or three paper bags of all the things your daughter definitely begged for.

"You're spoiling her."

"You're the one who said a couple of days ago that I'm the bad cop." You hugged Yelena from behind and kissed the top of her head.

"Oh, so you decided to buy yourself some love."

You smiled in her autumn hair as both of you were watching your daughter opening some snacks.

"I guess, you could say it like that. But don't worry. Only a healthy food."

Just 213 minutes more and you finally reached your destination. Everything around the cabin was so vibrant and shivery, as if a painting came to life. Yellow with a hint of pink and red mixed with orange threads. Flawless evening. So special that Yelena didn't let you both walk into the house, until you looked at the sunset to always remember the colors of your perfect autumn day.

#black widow 2021 #black widow fic #marvel self insert #yelena belova #yelena belova fanfiction #yelena belova imagine #yelena belova x reader #yelena belova x you

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masterwords · 2 years

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Sleep's Open Window

Summary: Hotch was in a car accident at work and spends the entirety of Penelope's Murder Mystery Halloween Party on the couch with Madame Bouvier. He's had worse nights. (This is a little sad but it is mostly soft and fluff with a very sweet and hopeful ending.)

Warnings: Hotch's injuries are minor, just enough to keep him sitting in one place...a little alcohol, past abuse/case-related and Hotch...this is hurt/comfort and very very heavy on the comfort.

Pairings: Hotch/Morgan

Words: 4.8k

Notes: Because the world needs more Madame Bouvier. This is a gift for my darling @hogwartstoalexandria. It got a little out of hand and might have also planted the seeds of at least two more stories about these new friends...but alas. I love you very much and I hope it's everything you wanted it to be. <3

Read on AO3: Sleep's Open Window

“Is it really a black-tie affair?” Aaron asked, shifting his hips to try and regain feeling in his legs. He'd been in one position too long. Derek had already made flippant comments about bed sores which gave him cause to inspect every bare inch of Aaron's flesh with undue intensity, as if three days were long enough for that. He was getting antsy, he just wanted Aaron back. Derek adjusted the lay of his tie and tidied his collar, barely listening.

“Guess so...” he muttered, leaning forward to inspect his mustache, noting the shocking eruption of silver. “Do I look okay?”

“Incredible.”

Derek turned around and smiled at the man lying there in one of his t-shirts because they were softer; he loved the way they draped around his thin frame and didn't get twisted up while he slept, so he claimed; Derek thought it was just him being overly sentimental. He didn't just want Derek's shirts, he wanted whatever shirt had been most recently discarded, unwashed and still smelling of sandalwood and vetiver, of the spiced delights that were so entirely Derek. Whatever it was, the soft tawny shade, the worn old v-neck that exposed the points of his collar bone, it was undeniably good. “You really want me to stuff you into one of these?”

“You said you weren't going to go if I didn't.” Aaron's voice was low, his speech carefully monotone so it didn't betray the pain that crept its way up his spine, tripping along wires so delicate. “I don't want you to miss it.”

“I said that I couldn't leave you alone just to go party,” Derek reminded him, sitting on the edge of the bed and scooting his legs slightly for more room. He patted Aaron's knee through layers of blankets, rubbed up and down his thigh. “I also said Penelope didn't expect me to come after what happened.”

What happened. A truck, a silver Toyota something or other (Spencer would tell you it was actually a white Chevrolet, but Aaron didn't believe it, he swore it was a Toyota) came flying out of nowhere to ram he and Cruz as they pursued a suspect down a stretch of rain drenched road in downtown D.C. The grill of the truck was tattooed on their SUV, the two vehicles became one in a horrific screech of twisting metal and shattering glass. Aaron was hyper aware of every movement in his body, every disc of vertebrae that shifted and compressed, every muscle that screamed as ligaments and tendons stretched to their limits and tore, every shard of glass embedding itself in his skin.

“Does she even want me there?” Aaron asked, blinking himself out of the memory. Every single time he closed his eyes, there was the sheet of rain on the windshield, the dripping glass settling against the dashboard, Cruz's thick, wet breaths as he called out to make sure Aaron was okay. In this case, they both figured, okay was relative...would they both survive? Yes. In fact, everyone survived the horrific ordeal, and the unsub was headed off by the local LEOs so aside from the lingering injury, the day had ultimately been a success. It still haunted him, the crush, the pain that trickled in slowly as the events unfolded in his mind.

“Don't be silly. Of course she does. You comin' or not?”

His back protested the movement, but he slid himself over the edge of the bed, feet flat on the plush carpet beneath. He wiggled his toes, set himself for a moment before allowing Derek to pull him up to standing; not even his immense pride could overcome his inability to perform this task on his own. A few days, they'd assured him, just a few days to get beyond the shock of the impact. He was impatient. Derek braced his lower back with one hand and eased him upright, it was so gentle and slow, he didn't force him to move faster than he was able and though Aaron doubted the truthfulness in the statement, Derek assured him that he was doing most of the work himself. He was only guiding and supporting. In this way, he could stand, and supported almost entirely against the other man he could put one foot in front of the other in some Mary Shelley mockery of walking and accomplish tasks. Getting into the suit felt wrong, it pulled and squeezed him in ways he wasn't prepared for, and he almost threw in the towel except for the expectant twinkle in Derek's eye. He was glad to see Aaron upright, to see him moving and taking interest in something other than sleeping for the first time in days. As Derek buttoned up his shirt and knotted his tie for him, Aaron pushed his fingertips to his thumbs, both hands working through mindless exercises to help regain strength, help fix damaged nerve endings.

“Did you tell her I was coming?”

Frustrated, Derek took Aaron's face in his hands, cupped his jaw and ran both thumbs along his treacherous lips.

“Stop. If you don't want to come, you don't have to. I'll still go. I'll leave you here alone. Just stop tryin' to get me to make the decision for you.”

“I'm sorry,” he whispered. “I'm just concerned that she won't want to see me. You know how she is when these things happen...”

He rode in the ambulance against his will. If Cruz hadn't been in the car with him, he would have talked his way out of it, and maybe it would have been a mistake, but he hated ambulance rides. Four hours in the county ER, an MRI without sedation that drove him to the brink of madness with panic at the noise, and a list of prescriptions and therapy appointments that made his head spin. The only question he thought to ask was how much work he'd have to miss, the answer to which he'd demanded be altered numerous times. “Six to eight weeks for a back injury like this,” one doctor told him as he finally consented to removing the cervical collar that made his chin itch and he scoffed...three, he could talk them down to three. “At least two weeks for a concussion this severe,” another had said, and he nodded, it wouldn't be a problem. “The stitches in your arms and hands should dissolve around days 10 to 14.” By the end of the day, he was settled on a maximum of three weeks come hell or high water.

Until Derek walked in and assured him that no matter what his plans were, he was there to foil every one of them. “How long, doc?” he'd asked, knowing full well Aaron had already been through this. He was on all of the paperwork; he had every right to ask and had all of the required privileges to get the answer. “Six to eight weeks, minimum. His back injury is not severe, but it can be dangerous. It has the potential, in a physical job like his, to worsen to the point that surgical intervention is required. If you follow my treatment plan, that's unlikely to happen.” Aaron sighed, throwing his bandaged arm over his face.

“You got it.”

“Traitor,” Aaron whispered when the doctor left, discharge papers in process. “I'm going to put Spencer on as my proxy. He wouldn't betray me like this.” Derek just smiled and sat beside him patiently waiting to take him home where the conversation would be revisited a number of times over the next six to eight weeks.

The first three days had been solid bed rest, and as much as he was inclined to fight it, his body wouldn't allow it. He couldn't bend at the waist, couldn't stand on his own for any length of time, every movement sent his back into such a spasm that tears instantly sprang to his eyes. He cried more over this back injury that they assured him wasn't severe than he had over what Foyet did to him, and maybe it was his age or maybe it was the fact that he couldn't sleep without Derek poking some kind of prescription sedative down his throat but after three days it was getting old. Jack was two hundred miles away with Jessica, a reprieve she'd begged for, so he didn't have to watch his father in recovery. It was taking a toll on the kid as he got older, and Aaron was glad for her foresight. He missed them both and did his best to follow doctor's orders to speed things along.

The prospect of Penelope's Halloween Murder Mystery Party normally would have repelled him, but it sounded like an escape that he needed even if it meant simply going and sitting on her couch and watching the party swirl around him. At least it was a change of scenery, and maybe if he was lucky, a distraction.

“Don't you get enough murder at work?” Derek asked as she opened the door and he looked her up and down in her slinky black dress that hurt his eyes. The sequins dazzled him, dancing in the flicker of the hall light and she did a dramatic turn, grinning for him without dignifying his question with an answer. Aaron leaned against him, he'd tried to walk on his own so he wouldn't worry her, but it was getting more difficult the longer they stood there, the longer his muscles were called to action. Instinctively, Derek slipped his arm around Aaron's waist and pressed his fingers into his hip, holding him tight and in place. As reassuring as it was protective at the sight of people inside, he didn't know, a room full of strange faces that he knew, on some level, wouldn't be threats but there was always that chance.

“It's good to see you, sir,” she whispered to Aaron, trying to focus on his face and not look at the gauze wrapped around his hands or the way he stood rigid and pinched. “I'm glad you came. I made you a spot...”

That didn't please him, but Derek pulled him inside anyway. “She made you a spot,” Derek repeated, a whisper against his ear. “Be nice.”

“I am nice.”

The couch was set with pillows and a blanket, and as sweet as it was, he could feel everyone's eyes on him; he wanted nothing more than to reverse time and decide not to come. Too late, he was in no condition to make a run for it, or even a slow walk of it, so he let Derek ease him down into the couch and fuss over where to put the pillows to support the ache in his back. They did their best, really, there wasn't much they could do. Sitting was agony, laying only moderately helped and he had no intention of doing that in the middle of a Halloween party. There wasn't much to be done. He watched as Penelope pulled Derek around the room, introducing him to all of her friends, it was worlds colliding and the knowing look in all of their eyes suggested that she spent a significant amount of time talking about Derek to everyone she knew. There was a throbbing at his temples, and he pressed his palm there briefly, relishing the brief release that the pressure gave. Occasionally she pulled friends to him, introduced him, gushed over him and then moved on. He found himself lost in a trance, dazzled by the way she floated around the room, her easy smile, the way everyone was cared for as if they were the guest of honor.

“I know you,” came a voice from behind him, but his neck was far too stiff to turn around, so he froze, sucked in a breath. “You do remember me don'tcha sweetheart?”

“I'm uh...” he started, blinking as the person made their way around the edge of the couch into his line of sight. He knew he looked stupid, staring at her like he was, but his mouth wouldn't work. His mind raced, piecing together brief moments in time, sheets of rain and glittering lights, a raven, a skull, her radiant smile and her kindness.

“He was in a car accident, Estelle,” Penelope said, handing Aaron a mug of tea. He held it between his palms, let it rest against his thigh and thanked her quietly. “He might need a refresher.”

“No...” he whispered, blinking owlishly up at them both. He had a dazed look about him that made Penelope uncomfortable. “I'm sorry, no, I just realized how rude it was of me not to ask your first name when we met.”

Penelope and Madame Bouvier...Estelle...laughed at that, and Penelope made her exit, beckoned from the kitchen to open another bottle of wine.

“You never came back for that palm reading,” she said, patting him on the leg after sitting a comfortable distance away from him. He found the proximity enchanting, stretched himself in order to hear her over the din of the music and chattering voices around them. “I thought for sure I'd see you again. I'm not usually wrong about people.” He nodded, sipping the hot tea slowly. It warmed him through in such a way that he felt relaxed, truly relaxed, and he extended his bandaged hand to her shamefully.

“I'm afraid now isn't a good time.”

“Well, you've got two, don't you?” She slid a little closer, as if called by some invisible force to be near him, to speak clearly and a little louder than she normally would. He froze momentarily, feeling a distinctly unnerving vulnerability, though it didn't make him as uncomfortable as he was simply confused.

He set the tea down and held his other hand up a little sheepishly, it was stitched and bandaged as well, just slightly less. Where his left hand was covered in thick gauze and mostly useless, the right just had skin colored adhesive bandages covering most of his palm. Still, she took both of his hands in hers and ran her thumbs along the bandages, closing her eyes and counting the stitches she could feel beneath. “Oh, honey,” she whispered. “Another time I suppose. I'm a patient woman.”

Both of them seemed to miss the game starting, deep in conversation, his hands still inexplicably nestled in hers. Aaron lost track of what he said moment after saying it; he found it easy to talk with Estelle. Too easy. The painkillers coursing through his system didn't help, everything felt surreal. When the first couple of people came by to ask Estelle questions, make small talk, they realized the game had begun and whispered quietly among themselves. An alliance was formed, and though Derek had forbidden him to do anything that would get him excited or stressed out, he decided that this wasn't violating any rules. He'd be observing from the couch, sitting quietly, not really involved just being friendly...if there was a little competition involved, it was mostly unintentional. There was no rule against friendliness.

There was, however, one very distinct rule that everyone do their own sleuthing and perhaps the two of them were breaking that one just a little.

“CHEATING!” Penelope cried as she caught him nodding covertly toward the person they'd both deduced to be the killer. “A profiler helping a psychic! CHEATING! DEREK! THEY'RE CHEATING!” She was laughing more than anything, though, lost in the hysterics of the ridiculous string of words flying out of her mouth. In truth, she was glad he was participating, overjoyed at the devious smile on his face...she just didn't love that they were so good at it. Aaron just shrugged innocently when Derek glanced his way.

“You can't do that to her,” Derek said, sitting down beside Aaron who fell so quickly into his embrace, like he'd been waiting all night for such a thing. He rested his cheek against Derek's shoulder, weary and ready to sleep. “She's gonna have an aneurysm.”

“I'm sorry,” he whispered. “I was bored. Estelle helped.”

“You two seem like you're getting on pretty well...” Aaron nodded, cheek sliding along the slick fabric of Derek's suit, and he smiled.

“She's nice.”

They sat, long after Derek got up and moved back into the crush of the party. Estelle was rather done with the entire thing, opting to stay on the couch and visit with Aaron who looked like he could use some company. The further the night moved, the more uncomfortable he got; his entire lower body was wracked with pain. It was creeping through the fog of the drugs, and he either needed to sleep or ask Derek to slip him another dose, neither of which he was particularly keen on. Estelle watched and waited, thinking he might ask if he could move, lie down, get comfortable. When it became apparent that he wasn't going to make a sound, she took it upon herself to offer.

“Lie down,” she said, patting her thigh with a smile. “I don't bite...unless you want me to. This couch is plenty big for the both of us, even if you are a gentle giant.”

She reached out and helped him shift into place, stiff movements that to a healthy body would have been effortless and mindless but seemed to exhaust him. She thought back to the night they'd first met, how trim and athletic he seemed, and to see him like this...she understood why Penelope doted on him, why she kept bringing him tea and offering her heating pads or ice packs, anything to ease the discomfort he wouldn't vocalize. She eased him down until his cheek rested against her thigh and he was suddenly and completely engulfed in her intoxicating scent. How he hadn't picked it up before, he wasn't sure, but he was drowning in it now. Bergamot, spiced with warm patchouli, crisp clary sage and something else he couldn't quite place. It was sweet and floral, right at the tip of his tongue but it eluded him. Before he could place it, her hand was in his hair, fingers tripping delicately through the unruly mop. Derek had, to his credit, attempted to tame it but there was nothing he could do.

“Penelope thinks the world of you,” she said, watching the way Penelope and Derek set up the next game and poured more drinks. He was attached to her hip, his arms draped around her, lavishing her with attention. Aaron noted, with some sadness, that Derek had been nursing the same glass of deep red wine all night. He had to drive, he couldn't let go, couldn't have fun.

“What makes you say that?” he asked, his eyes fluttering closed as a spasm took him by surprise. He clenched his fists at his sides and his breathing, though he tried to disguise it, became labored and slow, adam's apple bobbing up and down as he gulped down waves of nausea that accompanied the pain. Fingers brushed delicate lines up and down his cheek, to his jaw and back to his temple, the slow and steady rhythm drawing him in easily. He focused there, tried to ignore the rest.

“I've known her a long time, and in all those years no one has ever been good enough for Derek Morgan...believe me, honey, I tried and tried to get her to set us up...” Her voice trailed off wistfully and he frowned, it didn't make sense. Her words floated through his mind unfounded and unconnected to reality. Of course Penelope wouldn't say anything, he was her boss, it wasn't fair. He opened his mouth to say as much but found himself wracked again with the pain as it coursed up and down his spine. “No use in arguing, what's done is done. She was right, you know...you're good for him.”

“That can't be right,” he finally managed through clenched teeth, and she chuckled, went back to rubbing his head, slow methodical movements until he slowly emerged from the spasm.

“When was the last time you slept?” she asked, abruptly changing the subject. She wouldn't indulge his self-deprecation.

“I'm sleeping...” he argued, a little indignantly. Maybe it was medicated, but he was sleeping. She laughed.

“They got you on all sorts of pills huh sweetie? For the pain, for the sleeping, for everything?” He shrugged and let his eyes drift shut again, lulled by the dance of her fingers against his scalp. The lights were starting to hurt his head. “Well, I hope it's all helping. I know that beefcake of yours is doin' his best, I'm glad I could help out a little tonight so he could cut loose...”

Aaron frowned, didn't care for the insinuation that he needed babysitting and she noted the change in his features and laughed again; he was too serious, needed to lighten up. Her laugh, like her scent, was intoxicating and he could feel it light up his insides with warmth. “Cool down now, I didn't mean anything by it, just an observation. That man...he doesn't let you out of his sight very often, you know that? Every place he stands, he makes sure he puts eyes on you. He hasn't been anywhere he couldn't see you.”

“Chamomile...” he whispered, a dreamy smile drifting over his face.

“What's that now?”

“You smell like...chamomile...”

He fell asleep after that, and while Derek kept a keen eye on them, Estelle assured him that he should continue having a good time until he was ready to leave. She didn't need to go anywhere; she was having a great time where she was. Aaron woke occasionally and blinked up at her with the oddest sensation that as she touched his head, she was touching his dreams and he wanted so badly to keep them good for her. To keep them sweet, but they always slipped away from him. His coin collection came to him, gleaming treasure pulled from beneath his bed in its secret hiding place. A binder full of tiny plastic pouches for him to seal away his precious coins, detailing and cataloging them in his very best, neatest handwriting. Some of them were worth a lot of money, lucky finds, while others were only interesting to him...his father had rolled his eyes and called him sentimental. “The point is that the coins are worth something,” he'd muttered, flipping through the pages Aaron had proudly displayed for him. “What's this one here for?” “It's from the year I was born,” he'd replied triumphantly, and his father scoffed. There were pennies with strange dents or odd stains, quarters that had been scarred by use and were worthless except to him. The dream, save for his father's grunting at times, began happily and boyish but turned on him...he was crying, face a sticky mess of salty tears as his father handed over his entire collection to the owner of a local pawn shop. If they'd needed the money he would gladly have handed over ever last coin but that wasn't it, and even as a boy he knew it was only spite. The shop owner tried to talk him out of it. “It's worth more to the kid than it is me, Arthur,” he begged, at least that's how it went in the dream. Aaron was crying so hard he couldn't remember how it went in reality and it didn't matter much, this couldn't be any worse. The dream felt fuzzy and surreal, softer than shadow. “I can give ya fifty bucks but that's stretchin' it.” And when his father told him not to bother, just to take it, he bit into his lip and tried to stifle the rest of the flood of tears. “Dump it all in the cash register, it's money ain't it?” He couldn't remember what he'd done to deserve it, must've been something bad. Atrocious.

He tried to turn over, to pull himself out of the dream and felt Estelle's hand on his forehead. It was warm, soft, and he was reminded that he was grown and living his own life, and even if his back hurt enough to take his breath away...he was here. Not there.

Estelle rubbed her thumb over the worry lines, smoothed them from between his brow, lulled him back under with soft humming. He could feel the vibrations in the couch beneath him, it sounded bluesy and rich but hopeful, some magic that he couldn't understand was keeping him just out of reach. Maybe it was Estelle, maybe it was the concussion, he had no way of knowing but he couldn't fight it. When he surfaced again, he was in Mary Bidwell's living room, one year ago. He stood in the shadows listening to her, absorbing her grief, her anger, her desperation...the intense love she had for a son who was a monster. She was talking about horrors: trunks and fireplace pokers, his thoughts became deafening. He shouldn't have been thinking them, he knew that...but she talked about how much blood there was, and he knew he should be thinking two, three steps ahead...this is a case, it isn't personal...but his thoughts were consumed by only one thing: why hadn't his mother loved him enough to do what Mary Bidwell had done? It plagued him for weeks after, that little inkling that he chalked up to greed, that he somehow deserved more than he'd gotten. Didn't he have enough? But the dream, in the dream she looked at him and she smiled, and she acknowledged his thought with a wink. It startled him.

He slept sound through the rest of the party, Derek crouched before him every so often just to see. He couldn't believe it. Aaron could smell his breath, warm with rich red wine and something spiced, Garcia's snickerdoodles probably.

At home, just before sunrise, they settled into bed. Aaron couldn't close his eyes again and Derek was exhausted and irritated. He'd slept so easily at the party and with tears of frustration in his eyes he asked Derek to just give him a pill so they could stop...he didn't want it but he also didn't want a fight. He spoke nonsense, mumbled about dreams that felt so far away and Estelle's shop, he felt he knew it inside and out which was funny, he'd only been there twice but it was as if the dusty old trinkets and apothecary jars and crumbling bones were a part of him now. “She told me she had something for my back...” he mumbled, and Derek groaned and told him to shut up, begged him to keep the words to himself.

They slept until lunch time, until coffee seemed wrong but they both needed it. Derek was woken by a knock on the door, and he padded down the hallway and peered out onto the empty front porch to find only a small package. Just a little box wrapped in wrinkled, soft brown paper with a sprig of dried chamomile taped to the top. He frowned, looked down the street both directions and saw no one, not a postal truck, not someone walking their dog...it was silent.

“This came for you,” Derek said, dropping the box onto the table in front of Aaron as he stared lost into the abyss of his coffee cup. He frowned and sniffed the flower, knew it instantly and tore at the paper with careful fingers. Inside was a small card that said, “Happy Birthday” sitting atop a mason jar that read “Derek Morgan will know what to do with this” and as he lifted it out to open the lid and breathe in the scent of eucalyptus and camphor, his eyes lighted on something small that had been nestled beneath the salve for his back. A clear plastic cube that would fit into his palm, nearly hidden in the mess of crumpled newspaper scraps. Navy blue crushed velvet, worn at the edges, cradled a coin that Aaron could scarcely believe he was holding in his hands.

“That a penny in a box?” Derek asked, setting a mug of hot coffee at his own spot. Aaron turned the box over in his fingers reverently.

“This is a 1944 steel Lincoln Wheat Penny...” he whispered, like saying it too loud might make it disappear, prove that this, too, was a dream. He couldn't remember ever mentioning it to her, or anyone, but here it was as if manifested by his dream itself. The desire of a young boy for whom the world still held wonder and joy.

“Huh. So... it's a penny in a box? Cool...”

#aaron hotchner #derek morgan #hotchgan #mortch #criminal minds fanfiction #madame bouvier #hotchocolate #kindred apricots

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ask-college-patrochilles · 3 years

Text

Pat: It's... a long story.

The first thing Pat notices as he comes out of the shower are the voices coming from the kitchen. It isn't exactly strange considering he lived with Achilles and they'd invited Bri over for the night. He and Bri didn't hang out like they used to, with both students caught up in the senior year and post-graduation plans. It had been nice to catch up, to have Pat's two favorite people together with him at the same time.

But the second thing he realizes is how hushed they are. Achilles never mutters, always keen to shout what's on his mind, and Bri certainly doesn't whisper to Pat's boyfriend on the regular.

He knows it's wrong- they're both so important to him, he could just… walk out and ask what's up- but Pat can't help himself. Quickly, he dries off his hair and discards the towel as quietly as possible into the laundry room. There's a wall separating the hallway to his bedroom and the bathroom from the kitchen. Pat presses his back against it and strains to listen.

There's the sound of the coffee machine running, almost loud enough to drown out Bri's question. "I wanted to know how you and Pat are doing," she says, followed by the pouring of coffee into a cup.

Achilles snorts. "I would think you guys have already talked about that." Always defensive, even when he doesn't need to be. It makes Pat's chest ache.

"Yeah, but I want to hear it from you." One of the chairs scrapes against the floor, and Pat assumes Bri takes a seat. "You're your own person. You might see things differently."

Pat isn't sure why, but he holds his breath for his boyfriend's answer. Everything has been… mundane, really. Nothing special. Achilles is like an extension of Pat: they always know what the other is thinking, are always able to finish each other's sentences. More often than not they're together, Achilles leaning against him or holding his hand.

"We're good," Achilles finally replies. "Really good." Pat deflates in relief. "You'd think by now we'd be sick of each other or stepping on each other's toes, but…"

"But?" Bri prods.

"But I still always want to be by his side." Bri makes a sound, probably exasperated. "It's cheesy, yeah, but I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Pat closes his eyes with a small smile. Of course they felt the same- Achilles has his entire heart. He'd know if something was off because it would be like his own heart was breaking. There was nothing to worry about.

He's about to walk around the corner to greet them when Achilles continues. "There's just-" He pauses for a long moment. "Can you keep a secret?"

Silence.

"It's nothing bad," Achilles reassures Bri in a rush. "At least, I don't think so, but I don't really know what to think if I'm being honest. It's all so confusing and terrifying and I-"

"Slow down," Bri cuts in. "Tell me what's wrong and maybe I can help."

Achilles takes a deep breath, something Pat has had to drill into his head to do when he's overwhelmed. Hopefully, he's counting to ten in his head like Pat taught him too. They were still working on it. "I love Pat," Achilles starts again. "A lot."

"Okay."

"More than anything. More than… running or school or whatever. He's the most important person to me." The floor creaks, and Pat can only assume he's pacing around the kitchen. Achilles can never sit still when he's anxious. "I'd do anything for him. I'd… I'd eat a whole raw onion for him or fight off sharks. I'd cut off my leg- although I'd probably ask if we could amputate an arm instead since I still want to be a track star-"

"Achilles."

"Right."

Pat's heart races in his chest. He can't tell where this is going, and he hates not knowing what was on Achilles' mind. They're connected at the hip, so why can't he understand what's wrong?

"I guess I'm trying to say I don't think I could ever be with anyone else- actually, scratch that. I know I couldn't."

Bri's nails drum against the tabletop. Click, click, click. "This is all really sweet, but I don't know why you're telling me."

Achilles inhales loud enough for Pat to hear. "I want to be with him for the rest of my life."

A pause. "Okay."

"I want to marry him, Bri."

Pat's eyes widen, and he's surprised his knees don't give out underneath him.

He's always assumed he and Achilles would always be together. After all, they'd been inseparable from the moment they'd met. Even before they were partners, Pat felt whole with Achilles. Their relationship was one that was bound to last.

He just… never exactly thought about proposing or weddings or any of that. They lived together, didn't they? That was practically marriage to Pat. Splitting rent and divvying up chores wasn't for the weak of heart.

Marriage was big. Marriage meant they would spend the rest of their lives together. There'd be a certificate and everything to say they belonged only to each other. There would be anniversaries and a family and growing old together. Pat can't even fathom it- he couldn't even think about what the next week would be like! He lives his life from exam to exam, shift to shift at the hospital.

Bri seems to be on the same track as Pat. "You're both only in your twenties," she points out.

"I want to propose," Achilles says as if he doesn't hear her. "I know I do."

"Now? What about-"

"I already have a ring." Now Pat definitely wants to collapse. He covers his mouth with both hands so he doesn't gasp out loud. This was all happening very fast. The room seems to spin, and he leans his weight against the wall so he doesn't fall over.

"What?" Bri's chair scrapes against the floor. "How long have you had that?"

"A little while."

"Have you talked about any of this with Pat?" Pat could easily answer that question. His racing heart and clammy palms are as good an answer as any. He's sure Achilles shakes his head since Bri sighs loudly. "Don't you think that's sort of important? You don't just pop a proposal out of nowhere."

"You don't?" Achilles sounds genuinely confused. He probably got his entire idea of marriage from movies and television. His parents certainly didn't seem to be much help.

"You have to talk about the future first. Talk about what you both want." Achilles is quiet. He must be frustrated- he hates waiting, and he hates too much serious talk. Pat knows he prefers to wing it. After all, life seemed to go pretty smoothly for him without any prior planning. "If you guys are on the same page, then- and only then- maybe it's time."

Achilles grunts.

"You guys have all the time in the world," Bri reassures him gently. "Pat's not going anywhere. Trust me on that one."

"I don't want to lose him," Achilles says. It shatters Pat's heart to little pieces. How could he ever think Pat would leave him? They were in this for the long run no matter what. They'd grown together as individuals and as a couple, and Pat knew they still had so much more to learn.

It's what finally draws him from his corner. Pat scrunches his hair with his hands like he just came out of the shower as he walks to the kitchen. Bri sits across from Achilles at the table. As soon as she sees Pat, she kicks his boyfriend in the shin to alert him. Achilles turns, and Pat catches him stuffing something small into his pocket.

"There's coffee made if you want some," Bri says. So they didn't realize he'd been listening. Pat seems to be off the hook for now.

"Maybe later." Pat's too overwhelmed at the moment to be anywhere but with Achilles. He wraps an arm around his boyfriend's shoulders and slides into his lap. Achilles gives him a smile and starts to say good morning, but Pat is already kissing him sweetly.

Achilles doesn't kiss back at first. He's too surprised, probably since Pat is never really a functioning human being in the morning before his coffee. But it takes him no time to hold Pat's hips firmly in place and part his lips to welcome Pat's tongue inside. Pat licks into his mouth, tasting maple syrup and sugar and everything Achilles.

Pat loves him. He loves him with his entire being. If Achilles dropped on one knee right now, Pat knows he'd say yes despite any doubts or reservations he might have. Because they'd figure them out together no matter what.

Bri's groaning is what brings Pat back to reality. "Can I please just drink my coffee in peace?" she begs. "One morning where I'm not assaulted by you two? Please?"

Achilles scowls in response. "If you don't like it, don't come over."

"You invited me!"

"Then you should’ve turned down the invite!"

Bri and Achilles bicker about the logistics of sleepovers, but Pat couldn't be happier. He presses his forehead against Achilles' temple and smiles wide. His Achilles, forever.

#i didnt forget i PROMISE

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riven-hook · 3 years

Text

Fire On Fire - Harry Hookxfem!

Love can be scary. I mean really scary, especially when the person you love the most is in consistent pain and dreaded thoughts cross through your mind. Well, that has happened to me before, but I am lucky enough to have the love of my life with me forever and always.

"Just don't set the castle on fire" I joked as I allowed Jay and Carlos to make a snack in kitchen. I walked out the door only to be greeted by the one and only Harry Hook. Nobody knows, but I have had a crush on this guy for as long as I could remember. We grew up on the isle together, my father, Hades, was never around or at least there for me so I spent most of my time on the pirate ship. I met Harry on the ship when I was about 4 years old and we have been best friends ever since, only 13 years later and into our ongoing friendship I've wanted to be a lot more than friends.

"Hey lass" Harry said, as he moved a piece of hair out of my face with his hook. "You look nice" he said with a wink. Harry and I always flirted, but never took it any further. I knew that he only saw me as his best friend and nothing more than that. I just wish I had some of that love spell, Mal had for Ben. Wait no, Y/n bad! You are not going to put Harry under a love.

The idea had crossed my mind a few times, but then the feeling of guilt always came over it. I couldn't do that to Harry. "Thanks" I said, smiling at him. "What are Jay and Carlos doing?" He asked, peeking in through the door. "Making a snack" I laughed as I watched Carlos, juggling with 3 glasses. We stood there for a few minutes just watching them trying to figure out the oven.

"You know, they'll probably figure it out, let's go and get some lunch" he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the door. We walked towards the cafeteria and saw Uma, Gil, Evie and Mal all sitting together at a table. We immediately walked up to them as Harry stole an apple of off someone else's plate. I gave him a frustrated look and he just sighed. "Hey, I'm still a villain" he said, shrugging and biting into the apple as we sat down next to our friends.

"Hey!" Evie said, as I sat down next to her. "Hi" I said as she pulled me in for a hug. We talked about random things with everyone until we were all caught up with what had happened since the last time we saw each other. Which I have to admit was 2 hours ago, but hey! We love out friends. Most of it was Harry and I flirting though. "Are you burning up?" Harry asked, with a concerned look on his face. "Now why?" I said, immediately putting my hand against my forehead to feel my temperature. "Because you look really hot" he said, smirking at me before winking.

I rolled my eyes and smiled to myself. If only he could say that as my boyfriend. "You two might as well date" Uma said, giving us both looks. "No way, she's my best friend" Harry said, frowning at Uma. I knew that he was going to say something like that but it really hurt when he did. I knew he only saw me as his best friend possibly even his sister but I just felt something inside of me crumble away when he said those words. I smiled and tried to hide how hurt I was. "Yeah, that would be weird" I quickly said.

Harry's POV

"Yeah, that would be weird" Y/n said quickly. As she said those words, I felt my heart shatter. How could I be so dumb? Obviously she only thought of me as her best friend and nothing more. Ugh! Why did I let my hopes get so high? I just wish she knew the way I felt about her without having to ruin our friendship. If I told her how I felt she would probably leave and go and find herself a Prince because that's was she deserves. Not some pirate who doesn't even know how to tell the time. (I got this from Descendants 2 when Harry puts the watch in Ben's face and says the wrong time)

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick" Y/n said, getting up out of her seat and walking out of the cafeteria. I nodded to her before she left and brushed my hand through my hair, thinking about what had just happened. Just then my thoughts were interrupted by the fire bell going off. We all looked at each other in shock as the fire bell had never gone off before it must have been really bad. "Everyone please leave the building now!" Fairy Godmother said through the intercom.

We were quickly evacuated by some school staff and out to the front of the school. The fire was bad and half of the school was already destroyed. We quickly walked over to a tree to make sure we were all here. "Gil, Harry, Mal, Uma, Jay, Carlos.." Evie said, pointing to each of us. "Where's Y/n?!" She quickly asked, scared. "WHERE'S Y/N?!" I yelled angrily as I started panicking. "She must still be inside!" Carlos said, worried. We all ran to the front of the building, next to the steps to see if there was any sign of Y/n.

We saw nothing, only smoke and flames as they burnt through the school. I looked around desperately, trying to see if she was with somebody else, but I couldn't see her. I looked at Uma with tears in my eyes and then at the school. She gave me a look and tilted her head. "Harry.. your not thinking what I think your thinking" she said, her eyes widening with fear. I stared at her for a minute before looking back at the school. I ripped of my red coat and hook and handed them both to Uma as I began running up the steps.

I immediately started running towards the burning building, and ran in through the "doors" coughing through the smoke. "HARRY!" I heard Uma and Gil shout and I heard my other friends screaming my name as well but I didn't listen to any of them. I had to find her

Y/n's POV

The room was filled with smoke as I was cornered in the room. I tried to cover up my mouth to prevent myself from coughing but it was no use. I turned around to see of there was way out and there was an open window. Perfect! I managed to climb out and get out safely before running to the front of the school. I saw Uma, Gil, Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay but no Harry standing at the front with panicked looks on there faces.

"Guys!" I called out, running towards them. They all turned around and looked at me in shock. "Y/n!" The called rushing towards me. "Where's Harry?!" I asked, starting to panic. "He ran in to save you!" Uma yelled, a panicked look across her face. My eyes widened with fear as I looked at the school, desperately looking for him.

Harry's POV

"Y/N!" I yelled, coughing through the smoke and flames. I continued to call her name as I ran through multiple classrooms. I began to hyperventilate. My breathing became heavier as I inhaled more smoke into my lungs. Before I knew it, I felt my legs collapse beneath me and everything went black.

Y/n's POV

Tears streamed down my face as I cuddled up to Uma, she and Gil were also crying as there was no sign of their best friend. The fire station had eventually got here and put out the worst of the fire, 3 of them looking for Harry. "FOUND HIM!" One called. I immediately rushed to the front of the crowd, the rest of my friends not far behind me as I broke down in tears at Harry being carried by one of the men.

His clothes were ripped with black soot, smudged across him. He had blood dripping from every inch of his body and bruises on his face and arms. "Harry!" I yelled, sitting at his side. "Is he going to be okay?" I asked them, holding Harry's hand tightly. "As long as we get him to hospital straight away, he should be" the fireman said, giving me a warm smile.

1 week later

I hadn't left his side, Uma and Gil had been with me all day to make sure he was okay but we're told to leave. I however, begged them for me to stay, being daughter of Hades, I guess people still did fear me. I dipped my hand to my tear stained face and my grip on Harry's hand tightened. I wasn't letting ago until I was sure he was okay.

Just as a tear rolled down my cheek, I felt his thumb move over my hand. I immediately jolted up right and looked at him, hopefully. His eyes began to flutter open and he smiled at me. "Yer okay?" He said. "I'm okay? YOUR FUCKING ALIVE!" I yelled, launching my body onto him, hugging him tightly. "Don't ever do that to me again" I said, into his hair. "I won't" he said, calmly before I broke away and looked him in the eye. Without hesitation I pressed my lips against his in a kiss full of pure love. Damn I was so in love with this boy!

#harryhook prompts #harry hook #descendants #harry hook imagines #harry hook x reader #uma descendants #fanfiction #imagines

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kingmaker-a · 3 years

Text

Stranded | Dami Star Wars AU

Warnings: Mentions of scars, fire, lightsaber combat and spaceship explosions. Character death and injury. There's also some mentions of Dami. Dami doesn't appear as much as I'd like but she's getting a second part. Which gonna be my next piece. Genre: Dami x Skilled! Gender Neutral Reader Wordcount: 3490 Average Read Time: 14 minutes

You woke up two months after Dromund Kaas, your first thought questions where Siyeon is.

You feel something in your grip, her Padawan braid.

Fire burns around you as you watch Master Castor's body slump down in front of you. Siyeon, yellow fading from her eyes as she stares in disbelief.

"You never let go of that," you hear the familiar metallic rasp of Grave. Though you hear the happiness in his voice, you can feel the worry and fear come off him.

Your brain produces memories that don't feel like your own.

The sound of sand under your boots fills your head. You hear the sounds of lightsabers clashing. You watch as a red saber crushes a green one. "Get down Minji," you heard Grave command, a thermal detonator jumping into the fray.

An explosion rips through your vision. You're held up by Grave as you enter a sterile white room. You notice a dour expression on Minji's face, an unfamiliar lightsaber in her hand. She inspects the wound on your face with a frown, you can feel it's been a long day for Minji. "Please get y/n into a bacta tank," she asks Grave politely.

"Right away Minji," Grave said hoisting you into a nearby tank as you fade back to the present.

"General Kim left a few days ago. I think she did a good job assisting with your recovery," he said offering a mirror. You accept hesitantly, fear gripping at your heart.

You see a thin strip of scar tissue stretch across the bridge of your nose and under your nose. While slightly thicker in the middle it was a lot smaller than the wound was. You touch the scar hesitantly, scared you'll relive the pain you received. You feel the raised skin, you wanted to believe that it was all Minji that your scar was smaller than it could've been.

But you know the real reason. Tutaminis, a technique the influence on Dromund Kaas knew.

The original Darth Atrocitus.

Tutaminis an umbrella term used for the use of the force as a way to absorb energy. You didn't realise it could be used against lightsaber strikes. While the influence didn't succeed in fully absorbing the blow, you realised it saved your life.

"General Droll will want to see you as well," Grave points out, hope and happiness surge in your heart as he assists you out of bed. Your legs falter slightly as you attempt to walk on your own. You hear Grave chuckle as he catches you.

You didn't think you'd end up using Force Valor to just be able to walk. But here you were.

Despite the assistance from the force pushing you past your limits, your legs ache intensely as you walk. Yet, you refuse Grave's assistance preferring to stand on.. your.. own.. two feet.

You reach your Master's medical quarters desperately clasping at the doorway as the door automatic slides open. You watch as the Wookiee's face lights up at your appearance. However, you watch as he hobbles over to you with the assistance of a walking stick.

You should invest in one of those.

Even without the assistance of Force Valor shielding you from some of the pain. At least when you accepted Grave's assistance. Master Droll looked worse than you felt. Which meant something as you were pretty sure the Wookiee fur hid most of his actual wounds from view.

You saw the mechanised braces on his legs assist him in his hobbling. If you had to guess his bones had probably been shattered into a fine dust. Yet, you felt nothing but serenity come off the Wookiee.

You were surprised you felt especially without a connection to Minji.

You feel his free hand grasp the back of your head. His forehead rested against yours as you both inhaled deeply. His nose rubbing against yours. The same gesture Siyeon performed with you. The soft hum of Master Droll prevented your mind from drifting to your loss.

"I Chewladdik Arridrrl welcome you into my honour family. Not as your Master but as your equal. Thank you for avenging my loss," You're about to complain that he hadn't told you his proper name. Though as your vocal cords mime the movements required to speak in Shyriiwook, you understood. It was probably the quadruple r.

You did always wonder what his name meant, you just assumed it was an old Wookiee name passed down from his ancestors.

His name translated literally to 'honourable guardian mighty safety'. Though you preferred to believe it meant Jedi guardian protector of the weak.

Your brain reiterates his words slowly, eventually snapping to his mention of being equals. "What do you mean by equals Master?" You raise a confused eyebrow.

"While you've yet to go through the formal ceremony, the Jedi council allowed me to share the news of your ascension. Padawan you are no more," he said with a sweet smile, his hand resting comfortably on your should.

"But I've yet to go through my trials?" That was not something you expected to wake up to. You felt a sense of pride but also fear that the decision had been made in haste.

"They decided that your actions escorting the refugees as well as your actions on Dromund Kaas would be a fair substitute. Your trial of insight discerning the Darkside hiding under the visage of Master Castor. Something even I failed to do. Your trial of courage was facing down the pretender, standing your ground against a lord of the sith is no easy task. Your trial of skill was defeating such an adversary."

You're tempted to point out that it wasn't you who slew Atrocitus II. That it was Siyeon who delivered the final blow. But as you take a glance at her Padawan braid you realise there's no point.

It would only lead to more questions. She was no longer with the Jedi order. Chewladdik notices you glance at the memento in your hand. "The loss of Siyeon and the mark of victory that stains your face. Your trial of flesh. Fighting back the Darkside both physically and internally? Your trial of spirit. Your braid is all that separates you from being a fully-fledged knight."

Your mind can't help but think about the Conspiratorum. What was their plan? If you were lucky Atrocitus II revealed their existence before they had anything major planned.

"Jiu is in charge of investigating the Conspiratorum plot," Chewladdik said sensing your thoughts.

"Jiu?" you questioned, were you supposed to know that name?

"Ah, I forget I'm getting ahead of myself. Minji," he reiterates before continuing. "Jiu is a name she has taken in response in response to her own trials and tribulations. Her trials have been great in the last couple of months, though her ability to meet them head-on has granted her the title of Jedi Master."

You'd been out of commission for two months yet it felt like years. Especially after you heard that news. "You should thank her, she's the one who rescued you."

You would when the time came.

"A warning," Chewladdik said looking you directly in the eye. "This must not leave this room okay?"

You nod your head as you feel the serenity coming off of Chewladdik shift into worry.

"Jiu found plans mentioning that the Conspiratorum have already replaced people with clones that have a predilection for the Darkside," he said solemnly, your eyes wander to Grave and regret considering the possibility for even a second. But he had been different after Geonosis.

You watch as Chewladdik ignites his lightsaber, at first you fear he's a traitor until he lightly grasps your Padawan braid. "As your former Master, I am proud to promote you to the rank of Jedi Knight."

Your braid is torn asunder by Chewladdik's blade.

Your sense of innocence in tow.

Against your best wishes, you were tasked with assisting Master Ima-Gun Di to repel a potential invasion of Ryloth, the Twi'lek homeworld. You originally wanted to recover properly and potentially see Minji.

You suppose it was Master Jiu now.

Regardless, you had your orders. "Do you have any idea who my clone commander will be Grave?" you asked donning your armour.

"Actually, that would be me General l/n," It was weird hearing him calling you general. You were so used to being called Commander or even kid back on Geonosis. "It was actually at my request. While you and General Arridrrl were out of commission. I visited Mandalore, my prime template's home and trained."

You cock an eyebrow, this had been the most Grave had spoken outside of a mission. Your mind tracing back to the potential of him being a clone.

You realised how stupid that sounded. Of course, he was a clone. Why would they replace Grave? They would have to have known preemptively that you were gonna be a problem. Even the best Force Seers could make mistakes. You couldn't help but chuckle a little.

Had Atrocitus II really gotten under your skin?

While Grave was wearing a helmet, you could feel him giving you a weird look. "Sorry, it's just... please don't call me General if it's just the two of us. Okay?"

Huh, that meant you were a higher rank than Grave. You certainly didn't feel it.

"Yes, Gene- I mean y/n," he said with a salute. You suppose it was baby steps. "I'd like to point out a variety of personal effects have come into your possession after your rescue. Such as a ship."

"I have my own Star Destroyer?" You ask incredulously.

"Ah, yes and no Genera- y/n," he catches himself. Baby steps you remind yourself. "While you will have a Star Destroyer under your command. there isn't one currently available nor an Admiral to command it. Regardless, I was referring to a ship that was in your possession when we found you."

You had no idea what ship he was talking about. You hoped that it wasn't Siyeon's.

That would spell her doom.

"It's currently being retrofitted by the Republic Navy to fit regulation. We were surprised you were able to pilot it. It's older than the Sacking of Coruscant," You grew even more confused, the Sacking of Coruscant was over 3000 years ago.

It seemed you had quite a few things between fainting on Dromund Kaas and waking up in a space station med bay.

"Surely we can sort all of this once we get back Ryloth?" You asked packing the essentials.

"Yes, you're quite right."

Your journey to Ryloth was uneventful. You honestly expected the mission to be the same.

You were terribly wrong.

Before you could dock on the Star Destroyer above Ryloth you were diverted to the planet's surface. Your transponder picking up Ima-Gun Di's desperate pleas for assistance. However, as you entered the planet's atmosphere you can only watch in despair as a blockade forms around Ryloth, cutting you and Grave off from reinforcements and supplies.

All you had was the gear you brought on your pack. For you, that wasn't too much of a problem. But for Grave that meant he only had a limited amount of rounds before he was just a sitting duck.

"This wasn't my ideal first mission as a knight," you complained as your ship landed. You were in such a rush that you didn't even fill the ration reserve.

"You're telling me, I purposely packed light thinking we'd be able to get supplies before assisting General Di," you could hear the frown through the metallic rasp of his helmet.

"You know I thought with you going to Mandalore that you would've fixed your mic by now," you pointed out. However, before he can even think of a response you hear blaster fire not too far away.

Your legs kick into action as Grave follows right on your tail. Your transponder picks up Ima-Gun Di asking for supplies from the Star Destroyer above Ryloth.

It's a fool's errand.

"I'm sorry General Di but we're low on supplies up here as well. Even if we could make it past the blockade there'd be nothing to deliver. I've sent a request to the Jedi Hi-" the transmission cuts off as you see the Star Destroyer above you bloom into a deadly flower of heat and needless death.

While supplies were definitely out of the question, you and Grave could at least ensure that this wouldn't be their last stand.

Your positioning was perfect for a flank as you catch the Separatists off guard. They don't notice you until it's too late as you throw your lightsaber out igniting the blade with the force. It cuts through a swathe of them as they notice your assault. However, they can only watch as they hear the dreaded sound of several thermal detonators beeping as they come to a stop underneath them.

The explosion throws the Separatist assault into chaos leaving them to be easy pickings for the remaining clone forces. You see Ima-Gun Di's face light up at your arrival. "The Republic heeds your call Syndulla," he said turning towards a yellow Twi'lek.

You feel Syndulla's eyes bore into you. "Yet they bring no supplies. More lives thrown away by the Republic." He said commanding what was left of the Twi'lek Resistance to pack what they could.

Your eyes scan the encampment, noticing only a singular gunship. While it could be used to evacuate the Twi'lek civilians, you doubted that you'd be able to get more than a few of them on board before the Separatists attacked again. Plus there was no guarantee they'd survive the trip.

You notice two entrances to the encampment, one narrow ravine another an open pass. You reasoned that if you somehow blocked off the open pass. You could bottleneck the Separatist assault allowing you and what was left of Ima-Gun Di's clone battalion to buy time for the Twi'lek's.

However, it'd be a one way trip for all Republic forces involved. "If you and General Ima-Gun Di move the gunship to the open pass I can rig it to explode with enough force to close the open pass," you hear Grave say, you feel something tease the edge of Grave's tongue. No doubt due to death being on the table. However, he relents.

"What happened to Dha Mirdala?" You asked hesitantly. Geonosis was a mess and part of you didn't want to know if she died on Geonosis. However, with the potential prognosis of your own death incoming, curiosity teased the edge of your brain.

"You're the only one who remembered her Mando'a name," he said no doubt with a smile. You could practically feel yourself drowning in his happiness, a surprisingly hard feat considering your predilection of sensing negativity.

Your mind snaps back to his mention of the force during the refugee situation. Had he been studying you secretly? Passing knowledge to Dha Mirdala so she could escape the service corps?

Honestly, it was a fate she never deserved. While she wasn't as gifted in the force like Minji, Master Jiu you reiterated to your brain. Or as skilled in Lightsaber combat as you. She made up for it in raw intellect alone, you remember one particular moment during the Initiate Tournament.

You wondered why Dami refused to attack Minji, her yellow lightsaber hanging off her belt. Dodging Minji's fist with a careful poise.

You didn't know if it was planned at the time or if it was lucky happenstance that Minji didn't use her training saber. Though you reasoned that Minji held honour in high regard. She was also trying to be a Jedi Consular like her idol.

Though Minji manages to hide it from most, you can feel the frustration coming off of her like small wisps of smoke. You watch and feel her dig into the force attempting to pull Dami into her range for a free shot.

Dami just smiles as nothing happens. Despite, holding control of the fight. She surrenders. After all while technically a tournament it's more of a showcase of an Initiates skills.

She bows like a magician after a show. Though as you watch on through the cheers, you notice a brown lizard. Ysalamir, that would make sense.

Minji wasn't at the level where she could bypass a Force Suppression zone. At least not at that point in time. However, after such a display she earned her spot next to you and Minji in what the rest of your Initiate Clan dubbed the 'Krayt Clan Triumvirate'.

You worried about the Sentinel a lot more than you'd like to admit. You two weren't particularly close. Your only real interactions were typically facilitated by Minji since the two of them shared personal quarters at the temple. "You don't think Minji could take her on as her Padawan?" you question.

"I don't know... I haven't heard from Dha Mirdala in some time. Though I have heard that General Kim has recently taken on a Padawan."

Even if it's a small possibility it sets you at ease. "Master Ima-Gun Di, may I suggest an approach?"

"It's always good to see the next generation take charge," he said with a smile.

You're unsure of how to broach the topic. You were after all asking everyone to sacrifice themselves for people they hardly knew.

The Jedi Master notices your pause. He laughs heartily. "Worry not for us, me and Captain Keeli have come to grips with death. I worry about you and your stories that have just begun. Why don't you guard the Twi'leks in case we don't buy as much time as we'd like."

You knew what he meant by guard the Twi'leks. He was giving you an excuse to leave them to die.

Your mind snaps back to the moment Siyeon left. The pain still thrummed in your heart.

You weren't leaving anyone behind if you could help it.

Ima-Gun Di sees the serious look in your eye. "Very well, what's your plan?"

"Well if we relocate the gunship to the open pass, Grave can rig the gunship to explode. Closing off the open pass and bottlenecking the Separatist advance," you said scanning their eyes for any sense of disapproval. You can tell they've already done the mental math and know that despite the cost. This was the best plan.

"Commander Grave, how will your supplies look after rigging the gunship?" Master Di said eyes scanning over your Clone Commander.

"Six mags," he points out plainly. As well as a couple of party tricks.

"That'll have to do," Master Di said as you both moved the gunship into position.

Even with all the prep in the world, Ryloth would have been a hell hole. Grave fired in controlled bursts counting each shot down. "7... 6......5..4.3.....2....1...0," he reloads with practised ease, his hands on autopilot. His eyes scan over the battlefield looking for his dear general.

Unable to find you, he resumes his defence. You were a capable soldier an even more capable Jedi. Though he wondered why he even bothered with controlled bursts. There were so many clankers that even if he fired with his eyes closed he'd hit a clanker. "4...3...2."

The gun clicks, an oddity. It wasn't like him to miscount. Which left the mag not being fully loaded.

A miscalculation that could've cost him or you for that matter. He chides himself as he reloads.

The last mag, better save it and make it count. He slings the blaster rifle over his shoulder. While not his preferred weapon it was better than nothing.

Something wasn't right.

He heard the sound of lightsabers clashing. He sees Ima-Gun Di busy defending Captain Keeli as he reloads.

That meant big problems. He knew you were a virtuoso when it came to Shien, droid fire against nearly impossible odds was your forte at his point. But he'd never seen you fight a sith. He restrained himself when General Droll was talking about your trials due to his own agenda.

He knew it was Siyeon that slew Darth Atrocitus.

He watched as you clashed with a dark apprentice. Your blade work alone outclassed them at every step.

That's before your guard goes wide protecting a clone. A rookie mistake, the clones had already wrestled with the idea that they were temporary.

You manage to dodge their next strike but the same cannot be said for your lightsaber as their blade carves through your emitter. You mull your options as the crimson blade approaches you.

You watch in horror as Grave dives in front of you, his arms crossed over in an x formation above his head. You fear the loss of someone else close to you. You watch as the blade carves through a piece of his helmet.

"Party favour one," he said as the blade evaporated. The dark apprentice is shocked by the sudden development. Before they can even recover Grave quickly draws his blaster pistol. "Party favour two."

A single shot to the head. Brutally efficient. "Who said you need to be a Jedi?"

You were glad he was on your side. However, at this point, you were utterly defenceless. While you could always just use the force you didn't know how good it'd be against overwhelming blaster fire.

You notice a trio of AAT approach. With your lightsaber, the tanks would be a problem. Without your lightsaber? They'd be a considerable problem.

An explosion knocks you prone

"Watch o-" His helmet finally cuts out, he watches as a tank blast is headed your way. He remembered back to Geonosis, your first official display of skill. Thinking about his predecessor, he would've loved you like his own child.

Today was the last day for the Grave of Geonosis. He dove in front of the blast without hesitation.

The explosion rippled across the ravine. You turn around as the floor below you cracks like ice. You watch in horror as Grave's armour begins to slowly flake away like leaves in the wind.

His armour locked in position above you.

The floor gives way as you fall into darkness.

Dha Mirdala

The Hidden Talent.

Author Notes: I hate being the type of author that makes excuses but uh, I've been awake for 37 hours at this point. So if this piece is lacking uh, there's me excuse? I was aiming to fix my sleep schedule by staying up. But here I am posting at the same time.

Anyway, I apologise for the obvious lack of Dami in actual story so far. But it's all set up I promise!

Here's a bonus for if you read this far. It looks like a knife made for @panda-writes-kpop huh doesn't look that sharp.

#dreamcatcher imagine #dreamcatcher imagines #dreamcatcher #dreamcatcher scenarios #dreamcatcher x reader #girl group #girl group imagines #girl group scenarios #kpop imagines #kpop scenarios #dami imagines #dami scenarios #dami x reader #kingmaker-things

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