#dare i say best apprentice
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unpopular (??) opinion but amandas best look is from saw 1, specifically after she gets the bear trap off and the sides of her mouth are bloody with the eyeliner
like hello??? mommy??? do you need a dog?? i can bark for you, please just give me one chance 🙏🙏
#i love amanda young#dare i say best apprentice#or is that too controversial#like hello???#idk people covered in blood is so hot#especially women#sighhh i love her#saw#amanda young#saw 1#saw franchise#sawtism#shawnee smith
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Thinking about how Buggy and Shanks parallel Zoro and Luffy but if Luffy dropped his ambitions. The agreement between Zoro and Luffy was that Zoro would follow Luffy, be his first mate, be his swordsman, the first member to join his crew and set sail to achieve Luffy’s dream of being Pirate King IF Luffy never got in the way of Zoro’s dream of being the Strongest Swordsman in the world.
Buggy and Shanks were “apprentices” to Roger (and really more or less they were his sons). They were learning from Roger and learning what being a pirate SHOULD BE. So as apprentices, it would go without saying (at least as far as Buggy is concerned) that that means they need to be the ones to carry Roger’s Legacy. That they should be the ones to get their captain’s treasure and carry out what he wanted for the world. We see it in what Buggy is CURRENTLY doing. That he wants to inspire people to achieve their dreams. Crocodile sees piracy as a business, and Mihawk sees his position as a power pirate as a means to live a peaceful, lazy life where no one would dare bother him. But they don’t have the ROMANTICISM of a dream anymore. And all those years ago Buggy heard Shanks say he was no longer throwing himself into the romanticism of pirating and adventuring anymore. He’d be a pirate sure, but there was no drive, no DREAM behind it anymore.
And then he asks Buggy to still be a part of his crew. I can only imagine what that request must have felt like to Buggy. For Shanks to tell him “I won’t be the pirate king you saw me as. I’m not seeking any dream. But come be a part of my mediocracy. Just settle for less, Buggy.”
Now of course, Shanks still went and became a HUGE big name pirate. One that achieved Emperor level. But in that moment? In that moment it felt like Shanks was asking Buggy to give up on his dream, settle for being a pirate simply to be a pirate, and betray what they had learned from Roger.
Luffy was never going to get in the way of Zoro’s dream. Zoro’s desire was Luffy’s desire and vice versa, because as they said themselves in the show- the pirate king shouldn’t have anything less than the best swordsman on his crew. But Buggy’s desire was not Shank’s desire. I’d argue it probably still isn’t! I know Shanks is now making his move for the One Piece, but I honestly don’t know that that is his true objective. I think he thinks his place is to BE THERE when the battle for the One Piece happens. He placed a bet on the new generation and he is going to be there to see that bet come to fruition.
And I think part of that conversation between Shanks and Buggy was how they were each grieving. They had both lost a captain, but also a father.
But Buggy has not given up. His own dream was rekindled this most recent chapter (yes partially because he believes Shanks finally wants to be pirate king too), but partially because he finds himself SURROUNDED by people who know longer believe in the child-like wonder of adventure and treasure and the DREAM of becoming PIRATE KING. I think Buggy HAD also given up down the line. I think we saw a Buggy who’d lost his way at the beginning of the series. I do think Buggy doesn’t have the... best morals... But whether it’s intentional or not Buggy is not who we saw at the beginning of the series and he’s rallying so many people under him, and giving them sanctuary, and honestly? Reaching a king’s status to so many people.
But honestly? If Luffy suddenly went “You know what? I’m happy with what I’ve got here. I don’t need to be pirate king anymore. We don’t need to get the One Piece.” The Straw Hats would be SO LOST. Sure maybe they wouldn’t all get immediately angry or upset as Buggy had and asked “Well, what DO you want then?” But they are a crew made from the collection of DREAMS. And everyone’s dream is their own dreams. Zoro’s ambition became Luffy’s ambition, but that would never had happened if there was even a small chance that Luffy would be satisfied with anything that fell lower than reaching their dreams.
All this to say I’m proud of Buggy and support him as Leader of Cross Guild LMAO I hope he continues to fail upwards.
#One Piece#Buggy the Clown#Shanks#Zoro#Luffy#FryTalks#Cross Guild#Mihawk#Sir Crocodile#Gol D Roger#The funniest thing about all of this is that I did not like Buggy before this chapter#I was one of the people who would chuckle at the fun people were having liking Buggy so much after Impel Down/Marineford#but I did not care about the clown#I care about the clown now#I hope he shows up and pulls a fast one on Shanks and Shanks just beams at him with a big ol smile#OP Spoilers#One Piece Spoilers#Egghead Arc#One Piece 1082
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More Steampunk AU!
I had a bit of a story going with this too...
______
Deku is a young and promising engineer, he was formed and trained by All Might who also built his mechanic arm. It incorporates one of All Might's greatest inventions and only he and Deku know about it.
Deku grew up in the lower city with Katsuki, living as little thieves but also learning the basics of mechanics and working under the protection of Aizawa. When they were 13 they got caught in a big clash of two rival groups that caused the explosion of a building. This is where Deku lost his right arm, while trying to get Katsuki to escape and out of the way. On that occasion they part and both believe the other one is dead. All Might rescues him and decides to keep him as his apprentice, seeing great potential in doing work for good.
This is how Deku makes it to the upper city and he starts working in All Might’s mechanic’s shop, where he learns to build ships and other devices and also makes it in UA Academy of Science, thanks to his teacher’s name. He tells people to call him Deku, so no one in the upper city really knows his full name except for All Might and Katsuki.
Katsuki is an engineer too and a pirate.
He was the one finding and rescuing Deku when they were 8 and they stayed side by side until the explosion.
After the explosion he manages to escape and reunite with the gang he and Deku were already part of, but for his safety, Aizawa sends him far from the city with Best Jeanist who teaches him a lot of the job of the engineer and also makes him part of the crew of his pirate ship.
Since the accident Katsuki believes Deku is dead, and grows resentful of who caused this to happen and guilty for the fact that Deku was trying to save him when it all happened.
When he is a bit older, he builds his own ship and forms his little crew with which he flies around and starts to build his own name as a very skilled thief. It’s not his real life goal, he wishes to be the greatest engineer of all time, like All Might, and to change the world with his inventions. But a man has to eat so that’s how he makes money while also creating incredible devices and stuff.
One day he almost gets caught by the authorities. They are flying too close to the upper city and the ship gets targeted and shot down, but they manage to land it safely and temporarily hide it. The repairs are too big for just him and the bunch of non mechanics of his crew, and if they want to take off before it is found by the police they need some others to help. One of Katsuki’s contacts gives him Deku’s name and at first, he is absolutely shocked and has to stop himself from beating the other guy for daring to say that name.
Katsuki is conflicted as it feels like this could be an ambush, even though he can't understand how anyone might have gathered such personal information about him. Deku is something he has kept very much a secret about his past. Anyway he decides to go see for himself if this guy is legit or if it’s some sort of sick joke.
When he reaches the mechanic’s shop, the person he finds is most definitely not-so-little-anymore Deku. They reunite with a clash, very much grown and different from where they left each other, and absolutely emotionally constipated.
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My frustration with Asha's writing
A lot of people liked "Wish," and a lot of people didn't, and a particular concern for the latter was the main protagonist. Since I'm in the camp of "I'm frustrated with 'Wish,'" I'll discuss a little bit about why Asha feels like such a letdown.
She's an archetype, but not an individualized character. She screams "Disney heroine," but she doesn't have anything about her that makes her character stand out (positively) among other Disey female leads. She has no flaws that hinder her, and her positive traits are vague at best. "I care too much," is the most generic thing I've ever heard a main character say. In fact, it becomes almost meaningless when a character (who genuinely means it) says it about themselves; caring too much is a statement that works best when talking about someone else. In fact...
2. She has significant plot armor. She gets far in the process of being considered to be Magnifico's apprentice, but it's never said WHY. Considering her friend (or friends? I'm not sure) works in the castle, Dahlia putting in a good word for Asha would make sense to why Magnifico would consider her, and even him asking around town for their opinion of her would make more sense. But it feels like she gets so far in the process simply because she's the main character, despite Magnifico knowing next to nothing about her. And Magnifico has several magical powers at his disposal, but he's still defeated by her (mainly because he only uses his staff against her).
3. She has a lot of influence, but again, it's not really said how or why. During the reprise of "This Wish," the people of Rosas side with her against Magnifico--but this is likely because she's the only one who dared to stand up against him. We only see Asha interact with the people of Rosas during the opening song with her as a tour guide (how did she get THAT job?), and it feels very professional, very timed. It doesn't feel intimate or personal, like Asha has built up a good rapport with the other citizens.
4. Her family is poorly defined. Sabino's wish is to create a song that inspires the next generation, but as Magnifico himself mentions, that's a vague wish--plus imo, it's cheating; rather than working hard and creating a legacy for yourself, you want to wish to give something for people to remember you by. And Sabino is obviously older than Magnifico, but his life--and how he lived it without the kingdom of wishes--is never explored. Perhaps if it was explained that he experienced great hardship and his spirit was broken, it'd explain why he was so fixated on getting a wish. And Sakina's wish is never explained. She's probably the worst-characterized parent in a 21st century Disney movie, since she's pretty much just there. And Asha's father inspired her, but he isn't shown much. I'd have enjoyed it if the plot revolved around her trying to revive her father and it proves Magnifico's point that some wishes can't/shouldn't be granted.
5. She learns NOTHING. Her whole song is about "I've lived a lie" when that's not entirely true; she takes a very black and white view on the situation without ever trying to evolve her viewpoint via Magnifico's perspective, and the people of Rosas never stop to think "we shouldn't be codependent"; they just think "we shouldn't have let Magnifico lie to us." It's a giant avoidance of guilt on everyone's behalf, and since Magnifico is a villain, no one really cares that he has some semblance of a point. When you look at protagonists like Pocahontas, Judy Hopps, and Anna, you see how they learned a new way of looking at things, that they've suffered hardships (either through their own making or otherwise) and that they've grown from it.
6. She's "relateable." Disney's adorkable thing hasn't been too much of an issue for me up to this point; it was unique when Anna did it, and it never feels super cringey with Mirabel and Moana (though if Mirabel is cringey, it fits into the narrative). But now it's tired. I'd enjoy more mature leads like Raya, Tiana, and Elsa, rather than Disney trying to make a protagonist that tries--and fails--to be quirky. And I never really saw Rapunzel as adorkable as her later leading ladies. But Asha tries too hard; honestly that should've been one of her flaws in the film. Her desperation to meet everyone's approval would've been something neat (albeit familiar if we compare her to Mirabel) to explore in the film.
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What was Leopardstar and Carpwhisker’s relationship like?
You know how in Fire Emblem Awakening how there's that side character whose entire existence is dedicated to a running joke that he's the biggest person in the room... but no one sees him, ever? To the point where they even end up thinking an extra goblet at dinner must belong to a ghost?
Face obscured by Chrom's knee on the box art, Mike Wazowski magazine style?
Carpwhisker.
I'm GUTTING Leopardstar's Haggis. It is in the bottom 5 WC entries for me. Leopardstar's childhood bullying was cheap and brainless. How fucking dare they, actually?
How dare they take their ONE confident, intimidating female character, DEFINED by how she was beloved in RiverClan and by her apprentice generation, had no romance, and wasn't a mother figure, and fuck up ALL THREE THINGS???
So. Anyway.
If anyone gets bullied it's Carpwhisker, still by Skyheart.
Brightsky didn't die; she became a kittypet. There were four kits.
Carp, Oat, Leopard, Water.
Mudfur took Carp and Leopard home, due to their resemblance to their famous ancestor, Volestar.
If Mudfur knew what Leopardstar would become... he would have left her there, with her mother. He regrets bringing her back to RiverClan
He feels he should have known better. He became a Cleric shortly after returning because he came to believe that the constant fighting was wrong, and yet...
What did he expect?
Carpwhisker is a nervous wreck who can't stand up for herself despite being as big as a badger, and Leopardstar eventually booked herself a rock appointment
I feel like at some point, Carpwhisker learned the secret about Brightsky... but keeps it to herself.
She can't imagine Leopardstar taking it well, "and um, she's..." (Carpwhisker grasps for words not wanting to outright say she's terrified of her) "...she's a wee bit intense about bad news."
You know that one post about the kid who got severely bullied in school, the teacher put on Dumbo, and they watched every single one of their bullies cheer for the underdog? All the bullies think they're Dumbo.
That's poor Carp. I feel like she used to really like Aftergatherings until Leopardstar told her about the reputation of those events, and that attending them was making Carp look disloyal.
People often take credit for her achievements. She was the one who made the Bonehill practical-- it's not solid bone, it's a mud facade with a layer of bone around it. Tigerstar said it was TigerClan's achievement, and his by proxy.
When Carpwhisker was struggling for breath to correct him, Leopardstar gave her a sideways glance and killed the thought.
So, Carp's relationship with Leopardstar is not great. But Carp defends her, and loves her, and insist she knows best.
Leopardstar is a better friend of Skyheart than she is a sister of Carp. Leopard's beloved by that whole group, and a natural leader from a young age.
I think when Leopardstar dies, Carp is distraught by it. Inconsolable, and it's really hard to tell her in that moment that it sounds like she's a lot better off without her.
She'd probably end up hanging out with Mothwing a lot, seeking spiritual advice. Moth just gives her normal, mortal, nonspiritual advice, but Carpwhisker thinks it's divine.
After all... they both did just lose very toxic siblings that they still loved very much, and are kinda working through that.
In terms of politics, Carpwhisker is a weak-traditionalist. Really, she just goes along with what's popular at the moment, and doesn't make waves. She's conflict-avoidant, and just tries to make others happy with her hard work.
Most of all she just wants peace, really. What if there were no problems forever and everyone was just nice and well-fed and we all took a big nap in this warm den I made. What then.
SO all that to say... She loved Leopardstar. Leopardstar was awful to her. "We're sisters! It's just like that!" (It Is Not Like That.) She was hidden in her shadow. She thought the shadow was normal. She's destroyed when her sister dies. She can only begin to recover once she's gone.
#BB!Carpwhisker#BB!Leopardstar#Better bones au#BB!Mudfur#If BB had book covers I would even have it like Carp keeps getting hidden behind things lmaoo#Like Mudfur leaving the home and the angle causes leopardkit to obscure Carpkit#But then if she had a big role later talking to Mothwing#FINALLY she'd be visible on the boxart and smiling#She's also got like 3 major deaths to go through in TNP#Her dad her sister and a child#Something about RiverClan cats just makes me want to put them through The Horrors i swear#tw abuse
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Yandere! Darth Maul Headcanons (Ft. Darth Talon)
Author Note: I'm so sorry this is definitely not my best work😭😭 I just really needed to get this out of my head. Inspired by this video
Warnings: Spicy but absolutely no smut, odd take on poly relationships, Talon and reader have a sisterly bond...sorta.
Thinking about being Maul's little darling. His sweet little princess. But also being Darth Talon's co-darling. The innocent little doll ensnared between two big scary Sith lords.
Maul constantly has the two of you seated pretty on his lap. As he lounges on the throne of Mandalore. Talon is always embellished in tight black fabrics that do little to cover her impressive physic. She knows they're to Maul's delight. Always so eager to indulge her master.
Yet when it comes to you Maul insists you wear long ravishing velvet dresses. Adorned with delicate jewels to augment your beauty. It makes you feel fragile, like a porcelain doll fabricated simply for his pleasure. Still, you dare not protest.
You and Talon trail kisses down Maul's chest. Occasionally biting his lips, begging for a kiss. You feel his emotions in crashing waves, not love, not reverence. Rather something more akin to pride. An all-consuming darkness that floods the soul, overwhelming every other emotion. Maybe it's the closest to an "affectionate" sentiment that Maul can express.
Maul uses both the force and his fingers to trace the contours of your bodies. Memorizing each dip and curve. Ever so intimately familiar with each scar. You both shiver as he runs his claws up and down your spins. Perfectly dividing his attention across the both of you.
You've come to cherish the feeling of his horns when they nick at the skin of your neck. constantly mesmerized by the small puncture holes that litter your throat amongst a plethora of love bites.
Talon's older, more experienced. She's like an older sister constantly looking out for you. She's eager to show you how to please Maul. Reminding you of where he likes to be bitten, where he likes to be kissed. He demands submission but loves when you put up a fight.
You've started to treasure her presence, enjoying having someone who understands almost every fiber of your life. It's almost like having a sister and an anam cara. You love the way her hand fits so perfectly in yours, fingers entangled much like your souls.
She's the one who told you about Maul's insecurities. About how his robotic legs play testament to failures he refuses to relinquish.
That night you make a show of kissing stars into his cyberntics. tracing your fingers over the prosthetics as you sing his praises. Talon follows your lead, impressed with your acumen. Delighted in how you turn her master's sorrow into a source of his pleasure.
Maul seldom says he' loves you'. In hindsight, that night may have been the first time you've heard such words escape his perfect lips.
Maul loves to inflict pain on both of you claiming you in the way of deep cuts and bruises. Your blood between his teeth and your pulse in his palm.
You always leave weak kisses on Maul's arm when he chokes you. Your devotion soothes his rage. Yet he's never given up an opportunity to throw you around like a rag doll.
You're the only one ever permitted to watch Maul give Talon her sith tattoos. It's a hallowed rite, a secret shared between master and apprentice. Yet they both adore you so much, wanting to incorporate you into their rituals.
Both Maul and Talon refuse to train you. Neither in the way of the Sith nor in the art of lightsaber. Both master and apprentice fear the harsh ways of the Sith would simply break a fragile doll like you beyond repair.
Sometimes Maul gets busy, too caught up in ruling Mand'alor, too preoccupied to even remember he has two lovers awaiting him.
You start to lose your mind on such days, having long since lost your identity. You merely exist to serve him, only ever alive in the presence of your lord. It's hard to know what to do when his ethos is faded, too far for you to reach. When he isn't an inch away from you. Leaving shallow kisses along your skin.
Talon tries to comfort you, her mind may be tattered yet she still regains some sense of self-worth. She hugs you close, rubbing soothing circles on your back. She tells you tales of when she was a child before her apprenticeship began.
Sometimes she recounts stories of when Maul had been merely a boy, a small child still too scrawny to wield a lightsaber. The tales seem fictitious, bordering on sacrilege. You shudder to think of Maul as anything less than immaculate, anything less than eternal.
Eventually, the two of you just barge into the throne room. Ignoring the officials or higher-ranking aristocrats may be present. You simply curl up in Maul's lap, burying your face in the crook of his neck.
"Want you, want you" you whine desperately, loud enough for only his ears to hear. You're utterly anguished for comfort, for affection, for him. Talon rubs your shoulder, eyes looking at Maul in yearning.
Maul rolls his eyes, deducing it best to scold the two of you in private. He simply pats your head and embraces you closer to his chest. Leaving a chaste kiss on your knuckles.
In the end, the two of you are his and only his. His two precious darlings. There's nothing in this universe Maul wouldn't do for the two of you.
#yandere#darth maul#maul#star wars#yandere star wars#darth maul x reader#darth maul x you#yandere darth maul#yandere darth maul x reader#yandere darth maul x you#yandere x reader#yandere x you#headcanons#darth maul headcanons#yancore#star wars headcanons#yandere star wars headcanons#yandere darth maul headcanons#yandere headcanons#yandere aesthetic#red aesthetic#star wars x reader#star wars x you#yandere star wars x you#yandere star wars x reader#darth talon#darth talon x reader#yandere darth talon#maul opress
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“Being a sorcerer has always been Hoseok’s dream. So when a well-known and powerful sorceress sends out letters informing the young minds of the city of an upcoming position as her apprentice, Hoseok takes fate into his own hands and applies. The only problem is that learning the arts of magic is reserved for women. He is convinced however that hard work and effort can charm the sorceress’ heart and get him the position.”
Pairing: Magic Student!Hoseok x Magic Student!Reader
Genre: Fantasy!AU, Magic School!AU, s2f2potential lovers!AU, Romance
Warnings: lots of plot, 90% of this is written from Hoseok’s POV, Queendom!Tae being the bestest friend, they’re both so adorable, the students are mean to him at first :(, except for reader heheh she is a sweetheart <3, also idk if this is important but i got inspired by Elden Ring as far as some names are concerned istfg best game <3, this will have a second part where reader’s pov plays a bigger part and the romance is gonna be bigger as well <3, for now this story is very magic & Hobi’s journey to magic centered, but also some romantic tension is present as well hngngn, istfg i love this universe
Wordcount: 6.5k of 24.3k
✴ Part Two of Two ✴
Hoseok returns to the school with new energy. Spending the days with Taehyung truly helped him see the bright side of things again. He knows that he can do it. Hoseok is motivated to find his connection.
Two weeks however pass and Hoseok still fails to find his connection. His fellow students have already managed the second step each and proved their worth, while he still struggled to connect. The motivation of once has long died out again.
It is dinner time, but Hoseok is not in the eating hall.
“Have you seen Hoseok?” Ainar asks you and Ash.
“I haven’t.”
“I haven’t either.”
“Do you believe that he is alright? He looked very sad after class today.”
“I think it really saddens him that he cannot connect to the magic”, Ash says, “poor Hoseok, I truly wish for him to find it.”
“Yes, me too”, Ainar agrees.
“I am most certain that he will. He has to. With the test coming up”, you say.
“What do you think will happen to him if he cannot connect until then?”
Nobody dares to speak, eventhough all of you share the same thought. That if Hoseok fails, it could mean that he will have to pack his belongings and leave this school. A kind heart will only prove one worthy for that long before the missing skill catches up with one. Hoseok might have the kindness a great sorcerer should posses, but if he cannot access the magic, it means that he is simply that. A kind person. Nobody dares to speak these thoughts however because you truly wanted the best for him.
Ainar moved into your room after Becca had to leave. Ash voiced her deep regrets for her behaviour in the beginning and confessed that she was too scared to stand up to Becca in fear of being excluded. Hoseok forgave her and then offered her a piece of chocolate. Ever since then, your little group has been good friends. If you weren’t practicing or studying, you spend many hours laughing and talking in your shared sitting room. You think that Hoseok has the most wonderful laugh and the most thrilling stories to tell. His absence would truly be painful and none of you want his leave.
You agree to take dinner back to your bed chamber so Hoseok wouldn’t have to go to sleep hungry. Tomorrow will be a busy day as you will have potion class with sorceress Zenith and her lectures are always very draining. Hoseok needs to eat something unless he wants to faint.
He isn’t in the shared sitting room and so you knock on your bed chamber.
“Mhm.”
You open the door, Ash and Ainar follow.
“Hoseok? We brought you dinner.”
“I am not hungry.”
Hoseok lies in his bed with the blanket pulled over his head and his back turned to the door.
“You must eat. We have sorceress Zenith tomorrow. You will suffer if you don’t eat something.”
“I am not going to class tomorrow.”
“What? Why?”
“But you love potion class”, Ash says.
“You say it always brings you joy”, Ainar insists.
“I don’t want to.”
You pull the blanket off his head. He whips around and tries to grab for it.
“Don’t. Just leave me be”, he complains.
“We worry for you.”
“Don’t you want to try the food? It is very delicious tonight”, Ainar tries.
Hoseok eyes it, then his friends. They look so worried for him. He gives up with a sigh, sitting up in his bed. He accepts the bowl of fresh fish stew and the piece of white bread with it.
“May we sit down?”
Hoseok nods his head. You sit down on his bed next to him, paying him company like this.
“You will be able to do it”, Ash says.
“Today was just the first day of the week and you still have three moons to prepare for the test. I am very positive that you will manage until then.”
“And if I won’t? We all know what this will mean. That I will lose my spot at this school. What good is a magic student who cannot even connect to his magic?”
You exchange a look with the others. One Hoseok notices. He sags his shoulders in defeat.
“Perhaps I should already pack my belongings and leave, before I embarrass myself.”
“No, don’t speak like this. You will be able to do it. I just know you will”, you insist, reaching out to touch his arm before pulling back again. You have never touched him before. It would be strange to do so now.
Hoseok doesn’t notice it as he is too busy staring sad holes into the wall.
“Please, you must at least try”, Ash insists, “we do not wish to say goodbye to you.”
“Do you truly feel this way?” Hoseok asks.
You each nod your heads.
“Oh”, he lets out and lowers his head. His cheeks feel hot, his heart light in his chest, “I didn’t think that you would”, he confesses, “thank you. I must work hard, so we do not have to say goodbye to each other then.”
“Yes, exactly. If you want to, I can help you tomorrow after class”, you offer.
“Truly?”
You nod your head, “yes truly.”
“Then, I would love this.”
“It is decided then. Now eat your stew. I think that they used the freshest fish tonight. It tastes so wonderful.”
You and Hoseok meet up after late lunch. Ash and Ainar are outside with a few other girls, practicing for the exam. Some others are occupying the library.
“Where should we go? Our chamber?” Hoseok asks.
“No, I have a better idea”, you say and wave him with you, “follow me.”
Hoseok follows you in a quick step, greeting a few students as you pass them by. You also meet Sorceress Ciri on your path.
“Where are you off to?” she asks.
“The caves. We want to practice for the exam”, you tell her.
“Be careful. Especially you”, she addresses Hoseok with it.
“I, I will”, he stutters.
“Good. Some stones may very well only turn out to be stones. Dull, lightless failures.”
Hoseok blinks in shock.
“And some may outshine all others once they’ve reached the light”, you throw back angrily and tug at Hoseok’s sleeve, “come on Hoseok, we are already running late.”
Hoseok stumbles after you with his eyes glued to Sorceress Ciri for as long as possible. The sorceress curls her lips and clicks her tongue, turning her back to him before strutting off with her nose stuck high into the sky.
“Pay her words no mind. She is a bitter old hag.”
Hoseok gasps at your harsh words.
“Forgive me, I grew up with less classes in manners”, you say, “I won’t take back what I said, however.”
Hoseok lets a small smile wash over his lips, “it is alright.”
The caves can be reached through a sturdy door. It is very important not to imagine the caves like one might imagine a typical cave. Dark, wet, cold. The glintstone caves are none of these things. They dig deep and lower into the mountain, but no corner of it is dark. Magic deep in the crystal makes them glow, illuminating the paths and stairs this way. The air is quite comfortable on the skin and leaves no wet sensation behind, carrying magical scents one might describe as sweet while others might take them in as fresh. Tables and chairs are scattered on the bigger areas where students can sit and practice. They are currently empty. And purple clouds of magic dance in the air. A waterfall is rushing in the background, its waters can be used in healing potions.
You and Hoseok choose a table surrounded by glintstone and not far from the door.
“Let me”, Hoseok offers and fixes the chair for you.
“Thank you”, you say with a quick flutter in your heart, “what a surprise.”
“Oh? Oh, forgive me. Force of habit. I am so used to fixing chairs for Taehyung.”
“It is alright. I didn’t mind.”
Hoseok sits down opposite of you, looking around the cave.
“I still cannot believe that something like this truly exists.”
“Yes, me neither”, you agree, “now, are you ready to practice?”
He nods his head vividly.
“Take out your stone.”
Hoseok obeys.
“Show me your process.”
Hoseok obeys. Just like always, he fails to lift the stone.
“As you can see, I am as far as I was on the first day”, he jokes, lifting the corners of your lips into a smile.
“I am most certain that something happened inside you. Something that perhaps needs just a little bit of help?”
“Help?”
“Please do not judge me, but I did some reading”, you say and pull out a carefully written paper, “here. You can have these notes.”
“Truly?” Hoseok accepts them gladly.
“Yes. These are only my theories and I am but a mere beginner as well, so take them with caution. But I was thinking that perhaps your own magic is simply not strong enough to find its connection with you.”
“Not strong enough you say?”
“Yes. Watch me.”
Hoseok follows you with his eyes. You reach to your side and touch the glintstone, making it glow. It feels warm and comfortable and you take this feeling to transfer it into the stone to make it float. Hoseok’s stone floats soon after, the small table follows as well.
Hoseok gasps in awe.
“You see? Perhaps you have to channel the energies in these caves and your magic will be stronger”, you say, lowering the objects again. The glow dies down, as does the warmth in your fingertips, “strong enough so that it can finally find its connection.”
“That was remarkable.”
“Thank you. Try it yourself.”
“Forgive me?” Hoseok gasps with widened eyes, “how should I do such a thing?”
“Simply try. Perhaps you need a little help to connect with your magic. Perhaps you cannot produce enough energy yet and need a strengthening from these stones.”
“So you believe that with a stronger source, I could awaken my magic inside? Like feeding a dying fire more wood?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Perhaps this could work”, Hoseok says and stands up to touch the glintstone just like you did.
It makes soft sounds, soaking the pads of his fingers with coldness. He closes his eyes, focusing on the sensation.
“Try to visualise it”, you whisper.
Hoseok imagines glowing stones and warmth in his fingers. He imagines purple haze all around him and how it soaks his fibres. He imagines his practice stone floating and how much warmer his hands would get.
He imagines, but he fails to truly put it into reality. He opens his eyes. Coldness. No glow. He drops his hand from the stone and sinks down on his chair, burying his face in his hands.
“I tried so hard”, he gets out shakily.
“Try again.”
“No, just give it up. It won’t work.”
“But it has to”, you say and touch the stone. You make it glow, “look! I, I did it for you. Keep this glow alive”, you try.
“How?”
“Touch it and try to keep it alive.”
Hoseok obeys even if his eyes seem hopeless.
“I am counting to three and then you give it life. One, two, three.”
Bright light for but a breath, sudden flickering which weakens the glow more and more until the stone is dark again.
“You did it!”
“I didn’t do anything. I failed”, Hoseok insists and pulls his hands away.
“No, you did something. The stone flickered before it died out. You kept it alive for but a moment.”
“No, I didn’t. It was simply your magic leaving it.”
“No it wasn’t. You did that.”
“Give it up, ___. I am hopeless.”
“No, you are not.”
“Why do you want my success so badly? Why can’t you just let it go?”
“Because I like you”, you blurt out.
Hoseok closes his mouth, gawking at you with widened eyes. His pulse flutters for but a moment.
“And I want your dream to become reality. I want it so very much. Not only for you, but also for my brother. You cannot give up, Hoseok please. You could change the world and make it possible so that dreamers like my brother have a chance as well.”
“But I am just a boy”, Hoseok whispers,
“You are not just a boy. You are Hoseok, you are strong and resilient and a wonderful dreamer.”
“But how should I change the world?”
“By not giving up. By believing in yourself.”
Hoseok lowers his head shyly.
“And if you cannot believe in yourself right now, believe in me and my support for you.”
Hoseok meets your gaze. Honesty, hope, admiration. He can see it in your purple eyes. You speak the truth. You really believe in him.
“Thank you”, he breathes, looking at your lips for but a moment, “for saying this.”
“I meant it. I cannot say goodbye to you, so please do not give up already.”
He smiles shyly, “I won’t.”
You retort his smile, letting your eyes run over his face. He has a birthmark on his lip. You never noticed it until now. Your mother always tells you that birthmarks show up on a person’s body where they were kissed especially much in their past life.
Hoseok lets out a shy laugh, ripping you back to reality. You look away instantly, clearing your throat loudly.
“I uhm”, you begin.
He clears his throat and looks away, turns to touch the glintstone. His cheeks feel hot. He closes his eyes and tries to imagine how his hands warm up as well.
A tickle. At the very tips of his fingers. Hoseok gasps and pulls away instinctively.
“What is it? Did you feel something?”
“No. Yes. I mean, I cannot say. My fingertips tickled.”
“Try again. Oh, this could be it!”
Hoseok touches the stone with both hands and closes his eyes. A tickle. He has to imagine a tickle which becomes warmth.
Nothing happens. He pulls away, shaking his head sadly.
“Try again.”
“I don’t think that your theory works. I am truly sorry.”
“But it has to”, you say and take his hands so you could place them on the stone.
Hoseok gasps quietly, gawking at his hands engulfed in yours. The touch goes so deep. He quite frankly, finds it a little hard to breathe all of a sudden.
You make the stone glow, keeping his hands between yours and the glowing crystal.
“Feel it? How warm it becomes?” you try, squeezing his hands, “how it is tickling your palms?”
You look at his face. His cheeks are flushed, his eyes widened slightly. It is enough to make you realise the situation you currently find yourself in. You are touching him. You crossed the line.
“Forgive me”, you say, pulling away instantly.
Hoseok keeps his hands on the stone, looking at you just as you look at him. You both miss how the stone keeps glowing, just as Hoseok doesn’t take in how warm his hands have become. The eye contact takes all your attention.
“I shouldn’t have taken your hands. Please forgive me.”
Hoseok shakes his head, “there is nothing to forgive.”
He retreats his hands. The stone finally darkens. Neither of you take it in.
“I-”, you begin.
“Young students, why are you still here?”
You never get to finish your sentence as sorceress Zenith interrupts you before you can. You and Hoseok stand up to bow at her.
“Forgive us, sorceress Zenith. We practiced for our exam”, Hoseok says.
“Hard work is honourable, but do not forget your sleep. It is late, young students. You must prepare for the night and I cannot allow you to be here any longer”, she says and waves the big set of keys around she uses to lock the caves overnight.
“We are already leaving. Forgive us”, Hoseok says and hurries away with you by his side.
You wait until you cross a corner before breaking into giggles.
“I cannot believe that we got caught by sorceress Zenith”, you snicker.
“My heart is racing. Did you see how she looked at us?” Hoseok giggles.
“Oh, we are so doomed.”
“No, do not say that. I am already doomed enough”, he chuckles.
“Forgive me, oh forgive me”, you laugh, stumbling from laughing so hard that Hoseok has to hold your sleeve for support.
You stumble into your chamber still laughing about your run in with sorceress Zenith. Ainar and Ash are already in their room.
“Do you mind if I washed myself first?” you ask him.
“Not at all. I might go to the library either way. I must read up on the theory.”
“But what if sorceress Zenith will catch you again?” you tease, stepping closer to him in a playful way.
“Then I will tell her that it was your idea”, Hoseok throws back and gives your shoulder a little poke.
You snicker, moving closer. Hoseok grins, chasing you. Your faces are mere inches away from touching.
Realisation. Hearts flutter.
You break away instantly, looking everywhere but the other person.
“I uhm, I am in the library”, Hoseok stutters.
“I understand, uh, have fun”, you say and leave for the washing chamber.
Hoseok calls your name. You look over your shoulder.
“Yes?”
“I uhm”, he clears his throat, blushing slightly. He shakes his head and looks away coyishly, “forget it. I was rambling.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll be in the library”, Hoseok says and bows deeply, “thank you for helping me.”
“I uh”, you do not get to finish you sentence before he is already gone. What did he want to tell you?
Hoseok attempts to concentrate, but his mind is racing. Thoughts about you and the unexplainable flutters you awoke in him tonight, thoughts about the tickles in his fingertips but also worries about the test and his continuous failures.
The theory you told him sounded so perfect and yet he still failed to find his connection. The good thoughts of you drown out more and more, the longer Hoseok thinks about his failures.
He doesn’t quite know how many hours he spent pondering his dark future and trying to find help in books, but his tired body lets him know that it must have been a few.
The library is dead silent. Hoseok should really be in his chambers already. Not only because the school rules say so, but also because it is way too late to still be awake. But Hoseok couldn’t sleep if he tried. Five moons passed ever since the weekend and he still hasn’t found his connection to magic. Not even practicing in the caves helped him. He feels like a failure. Perhaps Sorceress Ciri was right. Perhaps he is destined to be dull, lightless stone.
“Hoseok?”
He looks at the person having whispered his name.
“Sorceress Selen?” he gasps, scrambling to his feet to bow at her.
“Please stay comfortable”, she tells him and sits down on the chair opposite of him, “what are you still doing up?”
“Please forgive me. I didn’t notice how late it already was. I will go to my chambers right away. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Sit, Hoseok.”
He follows her orders with a racing heart. He is scared. Will this be the night he is finally told to leave? He fumbles with his fingers nervously, trying to look into the sorceress‘ purple eyes despite his hammering heart.
“You do not seem like yourself lately. Is there something troubling you?” she however asks him with motherly concern in her voice.
Hoseok looks at his lap instantly, feeling his eyes water. It has been too long since someone spoke to him with such maternal worry in their voice. He feels too fragile tonight not to have a reaction to it.
“There is something troubling you, isn’t there?” she gasps upon seeing the tears in his eyes.
He nods his head.
“Talk to me, my young student.”
“I am scared.”
“Scared?”
He nods his head, “scared to fail tomorrow’s test. I am such a failure. I feel unworthy of your teachings. I even fail to do something as simple as lifting a stone with my mind.”
“Do not give up hope yet, my young student.”
“It all feels hopeless”, Hoseok sniffles, “what if I was never meant to learn magic? What if my dream is truly foolish? What if boys are simply not meant to possess magic? Sorcerer Argon was proof enough. I am but a foolish boy with foolish ambitions”, Hoseok says and rubs at his eyes to stop himself from truly crying.
The sorceress Selen studies his sad stature, taking a deep breath. She fixes her dress and straightens up.
“I am going to tell you a story”, she begins.
Hoseok looks at her.
“A story of a powerful sorcerer and how he managed to write history.”
“A sorcerer? There was another sorcerer?” Hoseok gasps.
“Oh yes there was.”
“So it is truly possible for boys to learn magic without losing control?”
“Oh yes it is. There was one sorcerer, who traversed these lands many, many centuries ago and who till this day is spoken about.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes. He was a powerful mage, who had incredible magic inside him. He always spoke of creating a spell so grande he will be able to leave this plain and travel to another universe.”
“This is impossible. Nobody could be that powerful. You said so yourself.”
“But he was.”
“No”, he gasps.
“Yes, yes indeed he was, dear Hoseok. Indeed he was. He worked decades on this one spell and he always spoke of leaving this universe and finding another where he will be able to create his own school of magic.”
“For boys and girls?”
“Yes indeed. For boys and girls. He spoke of it in many of his writings. And so he worked on the spell until one day he was gone. His servant had gone to the market for fresh eggs and when he returned, the mage’s office was completely cleaned out. Except for one small letter.”
“What did it say?”
“Dear Bartemo. That was his servant’s name. Dear Bartemo, if you read this letter and I am nowhere to be found, it seems that my spell was finally successful. I took my research with me. However, the estate and all its belongings are yours from this day forward. I am off to teach many young children the arts of magic. With kindest regards, Nilrem.”
“Nilrem”, Hoseok repeats, “I have read this name in scriptures long ago. I never believed this name to be important. Was he ever found? Did he return? What about his research? Is it truly lost?”
“Oh yes, sadly he took it with him. He was never seen in this realm again and Bartemo lived to eighty years of age before a fever took him. He never saw his master again, but he always spoke highly of him.”
“This is truly such a wonderful story. I thank you for telling me. Nilrem. I will remember the name and see it as motivation to grow as a sorcerer”, Hoseok lets out an excited giggle, scrunching his nose, “do you believe that he was successful? That he managed to teach magic to younglings?”
“I like to believe that he was. It is truly a shame that in this realm, it is still so frowned upon for boys to learn magic, so I truly hope that in at least another universe, Nilrem managed to make the world a fairer place.”
“Yes, yes this sounds good”, Hoseok says and nods his head, “oh, I am spilling over with sudden motivation. I need to practice my spells, yes I must. Please if you would excuse me”, he says and jumps up to hurry away.
The sorceress Selen watches him with fond eyes until the library door closes behind him. He is a student she finds herself very fond of already.
“___!” Hoseok calls your name, stumbling through the door.
You lift your head from your pillow, studying his face with sleepy eyes. He looks out of breath.
“Yes?” you croak with your voice heavy from sleep.
“Sorcerer existed in these lands!”
“What do you mean?”
Hoseok jumps onto your bed and touches your arm in excitement, shaking you in your comfortable blanket cocoon. You whine quietly, feeling oh so dizzy.
“I spoke with sorceress Selen in the library and she told me a story of a powerful sorcerer, who wandered these lands thousands of years ago. His name was Nilrem and he was so powerful that he could traverse universes.”
“Universes?” you murmur and yawn loudly, “what do you mean universes?”
“Yes, universes! He went to another universe and was never seen again. Oh ___, boys can learn magic”, Hoseok drops his head into your blanket, hugging you this way, “and they can be powerful without losing control. I can learn magic as well, it is possible.”
You tense up in shock, feeling your heart speed up in your chest. He feels very warm and comfortably heavy on your chest. Oh by Frenya, you wear but a thin sleeping gown and his head is dangerously close to your bosom. Thankfully for your own sanity of heart, Hoseok sits up again. He is too overtaken in excitement to truly realise what he has done and what he did to your poor heart in the process.
“I can learn magic as well, ___”, he says and laughs so brightly his lips form the prettiest of hearts.
“So this means that sorceress Ciri lied today”, you say.
“Yes it was a lie”, Hoseok says and sighs in relief, “I am not a failure.”
“Of course you aren’t”, you say and sit up, covering yourself with the blanket, “I always believed in you. She was very rude and wrong for talking to you like this.”
“I thank you for saying this”, Hoseok gives your upper arm a gentle rub, “I am very happy to have you as my chamber mate.”
“Oh”, you feel your cheeks heat up, lowering your eyes shyly, “I am happy as well”, you whisper.
“Now, you must excuse me. I am in the garden, practicing until I can finally lift a stone”, Hoseok says and jumps out of your bed. He slips into his shoes and gives you a smiley wave goodbye before finally disappearing out of the room.
You touch the spot on your upper arm he rubbed, then the spot on your chest his head rested upon, taking a deep breath to calm down the flutter of your heart.
He is already doing magic. Deep, deep in your chest where you pulse just doesn’t want to slow down.
Hoseok isn’t in his bed when you wake early the next morning. You leave your sleeping chambers. The door to Ainar’s and Ash’s chamber is still closed and right there on the soft seating, Hoseok is sleeping with his mouth wide open. Half of his limbs hang from the edge off the seat, his long hair does as well. His practice glintstone sits on the table. The notes you made for him lie beside it.
For but a second you let him sleep peacefully, letting your eyes wander over him. His body is still dressed in the white clothing of yesterday, his shoes are scattered by the entrance. Your eyes linger but a second on his exposed neck and how the morning sun paints streaks of golden light on his skin.
You had a difficult time falling asleep last night as your mind kept you awake with thoughts of what happened between you and him. Barely anything did if one compares it to truly big happenings, but it meant a lot to you. You touched his hands, you shared playful banter in front of the bathing chamber with him, he hugged you. You never experienced something like this before and you couldn’t quite place the feelings it awakes in your chest.
You lift your eyes upon hearing Ash open her door. She and Ainar leave their room.
“Oh? What happened to him?”
“Practice. I think he practiced all night.”
Hoseok, who wakes up from your voices, sits up. He groans loudly, touching his neck instantly.
“By Frenya, my neck”, he whines, massaging in vividly, “huh?!” he suddenly straightens up, “what time is it? Oh, the test!” he blurts out and jumps up to run out of the room.
“We still have two hours left”, you stop him before he can.
“Oh”, he stops, “really?”
“Yes, enough time for you to wash up. You look rather battered.”
“I feel battered. My neck is going to kill me”, he says and rolls it, groaning as he does.
“Did you sleep here all night?” Ainar asks.
“No. I fell asleep with the sun rising.”
“But it has only been light for an hour.”
“I know”, Hoseok says and yawns.
“Why did you stay up this long? How should you concentrate today?”
“I will make it work”, Hoseok says, furrowing his brows in conviction. He lets his eyes drift to yours, “I have a dream to fulfil.”
A smile graces your face for but a moment, before you feel too shy to keep the eye contact going. Hoseok looks to the side.
“Now if you don’t mind, I would like to wash the day away.”
“Go ahead. I already bathed last night”, Ash assures him, “Ainar and I will be in the eating hall.”
“May I accompany you?” you ask them.
“Of course.”
You leave Hoseok alone in your shared room. He picks up his practice stone and walks to his room to get new clothing so he could get dressed in the bathing chamber.
He meets you and the others in class. Like so very often, you bring breakfast because you knew that he would skip it for the sake of practicing just a little more. He eats it seated by his desk and with his nervous eyes glued to his practice stone. The swell of his eye sacs and the redness of his eyes haven’t gone down yet. He is so visibly tired in fact, that sorceress Selen asks if he was feeling alright once she enters the classroom. Sorceress Ciri is with her as well.
“I simply practiced all night”, he tells her.
“Sleep is important, my young student”, she tells him.
“I know, sorceress Selen. I will get it today.”
She nods in approval, then claps into her hands.
“Very well then, shall we get started with the tests? I am most certain that you all want to get it over with as quickly as possible. Who wants to start?”
Some students lift their hands and so the testing begins.
The test consists of two parts. One based on knowledge and the other on action. Sorceress Ciri asks each student two questions about the history of magic and then sorceress Selen asks two more questions about glintstone magic. The practical part comes last where the students have to lift their practice stone and guide it to a mug on the teacher’s desk where they will have to lower it into the mug carefully.
The other students are asked to be quiet during the testing. Some busy themselves by drawing in their books, while others read up on their notes and others listen to the testing. There are also people like Hoseok and Ash, who use the time to practice. Ash manages to lift her stone, moving it around with swirls of her finger. Soon it is her turn and then it will be your turn and then it will be his turn.
Hoseok gulps nervously and tries to concentrate on practicing. He didn’t manage to lift the stone during his nightly session. He will have to make it work or else he will fail. He knows what he needs to know, he could have answered each question the sorceresses asked his fellow students, but fails at the most crucial part. How will he be able to pass when he cannot put the knowledge into practice?
Ash returns to her seat, looking relieved. You stand up.
“Good luck”, Hoseok tells you, earning himself a sweet smile.
“Thank you.”
Hoseok listens to your testing. The questions are easy and you manage to answer them quickly and coherently. The practical part follows. You move the stone with ease, ending it by painting a circle with it before lowering it into the mug. It brings a chuckle to sorceress Selen’s lips.
“Good job, my young student”, she praises you, “please return to your seat.”
You hurry to it with a relieved grin on your lips. Ash and Ainar praise you instnaly.
“You did so well”, Hoseok says.
“Thank you”, you tell him.
“Hoseok, please come out”, sorceress Ciri tells him.
He takes a deep breath and stands up.
“Good luck. I believe in you”, you tell him.
“Good luck”, Ash says.
“You can do it”, Ainar encourages him.
Hoseok acknowledges them with a nervous smile. He can hear how much quieter the classroom became. Which means a lot, because it was already quiet. Everyone is watching him. He is aware of it. This is it. The moment which will decide if he is worthy of being a sorcerer or not.
Hoseok sits down, sweating buckets from just his palms. At least it feels like it.
“When was the first magic school founded?” sorceress Ciri asks him.
Hoseok has to think for a moment. This wasn’t in the curriculum. He isn’t surprised that she asks him a question like this.
“It depends. If we take the writings of Sorceress Sorn into consideration, it is said that the first school of magic was founded as early as 218 of the second age by a group of dragon worshippers who discovered that glintstone can be harnessed for magic, but her writings are still seen as a rather incomplete source because of the great fires nine hundred years ago. So we use the Book of History written by sorceress Cicil in 1306 of the third age as the guide. In it, it says that the first school of magic was actually founded around two thousand years later than sorceress Sorn says in her writings and that the founders weren’t dragon worshippers, but scholars who studied glintstone for many centuries.”
Sorceress Ciri scrunches her nose in distaste. She didn’t think that he could answer this question. Hoseok lifts his head proudly.
“Very good”, she presses out, “where did the practice of Mending originate from?”
“The Glass Mountains in the school of sorceress Reah.”
“What even is Mending?”
“It is the magic of healing wounds by channelling the energies of the planets and using them to mend what was broken.”
“And why do we channel energies from the planets?”
“Because they are the strongest and purest form to channel. Nothing earthen has touched these energies yet and therefore soiled them. So they can be used to safely close wounds or mend broken bones.”
“And-”
“Thank you, sorceress Ciri”, sorceress Selen interrupts her, “I believe that Hoseok has already answered enough of your questions.”
The sorceress scrunches his nose in distaste.
“Fine”, she says and looks away with an annoyed gleam in her eyes.
Hoseok sends her a victorious look then shifts his eyes to sorceress Selen.
“Now Hoseok. Given how sorceress Ciri has already asked questions about glintstone magic, I believe that it is time for you to show what you have learned.”
Hoseok gulps. Truly, for just a second his heart stopped. He looks at the stone in front of him. This is it. The moment which determines if he is worthy.
“Take your time.”
Hoseok lifts his hands and visualises how the stone floats.
Nothing.
His heart races faster.
He tries harder.
Nothing.
Whispers begin in the classroom.
Hoseok lowers his hands. This is fruitless.
“Silence”, sorceress Selen warns, then speaks to Hoseok in a motherly tone, “try again. I believe in you.”
Hoseok lifts his hands again. He closes his eyes and visualises the stone. He thinks of his dream. Of how he told Taehyung that one day he will move the stars and make flowers grow from his fingers. Of how he promised his mother that one day he will be able to grow her a garden in the cold weathers of the Snow Isles. Of how he stayed up many nights to think about his life as a sorcerer. He thinks of sorceress Ciri and all the other people who so clearly see no future in him, but he also thinks of sorceress Selen and Taehyung and the princess and his chamber mates and how they all believe in him. He thinks of you and your little brother, then imagines all the other young boys who dream a dream which seemed so unreachable to them.
He thinks about how he was once one of these boys until he managed to get a spot at a magical school and how he could be the boy who changes the future for many other dreamers.
He opens his eyes, meeting ecstatic happiness in Sorceress Selen’s eyes and surprised pride in sorceress Ciri’s eyes. He looks at his hands.
The stone is floating.
“Oh! Ah!” he exclaims and almost drops it again.
“Concentration”, sorceress Selen says.
“I-I’m doing it!” he stutters with glassy eyes, “the stone is floating!”
“How wonderful, Hoseok. Now move it.”
“I am! I am moving it! Watch me!” he exclaims and makes the stone move with swirls of his fingers. And as he moves the stone with just his mind, purple soaks the white strands of his hair until even the last inch of his long locks are painted in it.
He drops the stone in the mug, jumping up with a loud yelp of excitement.
“I did it!” he turns to the class, “I moved the stone!”
His fellow students jump up in joy, cheering with him because all they wanted was his success. They run to him, circling him with some even patting his arms in congratulatory happiness.
You are with them as well, crying tears of happiness.
“You did it”, you tell him.
“I did it.”
“And your hair. Look at your hair!”
“My hair?” Hoseok tugs it into his vision, “my hair?! It is purple?!”
“The magic has deemed you worthy”, sorceress Selen says with pearls of tears in the corner of her eyes as well. She truly rooted for her dear student.
„Very impressive, young student“, sorceress Ciri says with an respectful bow of her head.
Hoseok smiles in gratitude, before looking at you and the others.
“Hoseok! You are worthy!” you exclaim and take his hands to squeeze them excitedly, “I told you. I knew that you could do it!” “Worthy? I am worthy”, Hoseok presses out and spills tears as realisation finally sets in, “I am worthy to be a sorcerer. I did it. I am worthy.”
#hoseok fantasy#hoseok romance#hoseok fanfic#hoseok fanfiction#hoseok scenario#hoseok oneshot#hoseok x reader#hoseok x you#bts fantasy#bts romance#bts fanfic#bts fanfiction#bts scenario#bts oneshot#bts x reader#bts x you#bangtan fanfic#bangtan fanfiction#bangtan fantasy#bangtan romance#bangtan scenario#bangtan oneshot#bangtan x reader#bangtan x you#fanfic: queendom series
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Of all the ships I have in my WIPs folder, none has a stranglehold on the gigabytes like Merthur. So many WIPs.
A fair portion of them are Royal!Merlin fics. Most fics that I've read either have Arthur and Merlin switch roles, or have them both be royals and doing the whole enemies to lovers or aranged marriage tropes. No, the Royal!Merlin WIPs I have were HIDDEN royal.
The basics were all the same. Balinor is a king, and because of the threat from Camelot, keeps Merlin hidden from any kind of public eye. Citizens don't immediately recognize Merlin as the crown prince, and most knights, unless serving directly under Balinor, don't know Merlin is prince unless presented with Merlin's seal. So no one in Camelot (Uther, Arthur, even Gaius) have no idea Merlin is royalty.
How Merlin ends up in Camelot was always a toss up. Sometimes, Hunith and Balinor were separated due to Hunith's discomfort in court. Merlin would either go visit her, being encouraged to take the months he had free to adventure, or lied to say he was going to visit his mother. In these, Merlin's true identity is usually revealed when they go to stop Kanan.
There's a few were Merlin sneaks out, leaving someone (usually Will) with potions to make them look like Merlin and act in his place. One of these had ended in a battle confrontation, where Camelot and Balinors kingdom go to war, Arthur not aware that Balinor things Arthur has kidnapped Merlin. The outline ended with Merlin holding Arthur back from a one on one duel to decide the war, and walking out himself, asking if any dare to face him.
There's some where, after decades of war, Arthur becomes king and offers Balinor a treaty. A couple of these over lapped with Merlin having snuck out when Balinor isn't looking. A few had Arthur reaching out to Balinor, asking for someone to come to Camelot to discuss magic to change Camelot's law, only for Balinor (thinking Merlin is either in the capital or at his mothers) to send Merlin. These had Kilgarah with Balinor rather than under Camelot, so Balinor knew that Arthur and Merlin were meant to change the world.
I think my favorite WIP was where Camelot and Balinor had a peace treaty and Balinor sent Merlin to Camelot on purpose, with Merlin's personal knight, Gwaine. Because of an accident, everyone (Arthur, Uther, all of Canelot) thinks that Gwaine is the prince, and Merlin is his servant. Merlin, having been under preasure to be the best prince, greedily takes the opportunity to relax and gets "permission" from Gwaine to become Gaius apprentice. The last scene I had planned out had been for Balinor to come to Camelot, only to nearly loose it when he realized Gwaine had been pretending to be prince (even though it made a lot of letters from Uther about tavern brawls make more sense), and that Uther had NO IDEA where the real prince was.
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Frigid Nightmare
Snippets from @xysidhequeen AU. Based on the question about Jason comforted Danny after a nightmare...
Jason slumped back against the wall, his chest heaving as he drained a bottle of water mixed with ectoplasm. His training with Fright Knight was over, and it had been a year and a half since he came out from the grave, six months since he was knighted as Red Knight, four months since he discovered that Batman had replaced him, with mere seven months after his death.
The pain welled up in Jason's heart and soul - the same pain that had driven him to mow down the rebellion in another realm who dared to challenge Danny. Danny had seen him that day, standing alone amidst the demon corpses as their blood caked his human form. His eyes were raised to the sky, which burned orange from battle, and tears rolled down his cheeks unchecked.
Jason took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut and willing himself not to be dragged back down into despair. The members of his newfound family tried their best to keep him in the present moment, teaching him how to allow himself to express hurt and anger without being punished for it.
Fright Knight's dark figure towered over Jason, his gaze unwavering. His deep voice rumbled through the room. "Are you well, my apprentice?"
Jason hesitated before responding, unsure of how to express what he was feeling. "I'm ... just reminiscing Frighty."
Fright Knight hummed in response and knelt down before Jason, his eyes softening with compassion. "As I said before, no one has ever been chosen as my apprentice before you, Jason Todd - King Phantom chose you, and I'll do my utmost best to ensure that you're strong enough to protect our liege."
Jason was warmed by Fright Knight's honesty. He knew from Jazz's counselling sessions that healing from trauma isn't linear - there will be highs and lows as well as scarring that must be endured. A wistful smile spread across his face as he thanked his mentor.
"You're welcome, my apprentice," Fright Knight replied, standing tall once again before saying something else - but a high-pitched screech cut him off. Immediately, Fright Knight summoned a flaming green sword while Jason stood up with gun in hand, prepared to jump into action against any incoming attack.
His heart thundered in his chest, his core aflutter with anxiety and panic as he remembered the last time Danny had one of these episodes. Dread clawed at Jason's stomach as he and Fright Knight raced down the hallway leading to their liege's chamber, only to be stopped short by a violent blizzard raging between them and their King.
"Our liege is having a night terror again, we need to get Master Nocturne now!" Fright Knight yelled over the roar of the wind, looking at his apprentice with worry in his eyes. Jason could feel his vision tinge green as something inside of him screamed for him to go check on his King.
"Fright. You go on and get Nox, I'll go in to see our king is safe!" Jason shouted back, before sprinting into the howling storm.
"Jason!!" Fright Knight called out desperately, but his apprentice was already lost in the turmoil of snow and ice. With an exasperated curse, Fright Knight summoned his mount and set off to find Nocturne as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Jason trudged through the blizzard with his toned arms raised, shielding his face and the red flaming sword in the other. His breath came in ragged gasps, pluming out of his mouth and nose like smoke from a dragon's nostrils. "Mom! Dad! Please, I'm your son!" Jason heard Danny's voice yelled against the howling wind.
"Don't ever call us that to our son's face, ghost!" Maddie Fenton's voice screamed back. Jason's heart sank as he recalled Danny's story of why he stayed in Infinite Realms. His parents had not taken kindly to his reveal, capturing him and nearly vivisecting him before his friends had saved him. The voices in the blizzard retold Danny's trauma again and again. "Dad! It hurts, Dad! It really hurts!"
The frigid air felt like razors on Jason's skin, but his rage and core urged him forward like an animal spurred on by instinct. He thought of Danny, his king, HIS. The memory of the day when he went on a rampage came to mind, but instead of pure rage taking over, it was a controlled fury fueled by an unwavering desire to protect what mattered most to him.
"Where is my son? You're not my Danny'o!" Jack Fenton's words ricocheted through the storm as Jason continued on towards the frozen door.
Finally, he reached Danny's room and Jason grasped Ifrit, his red flaming sword, tightly in his dominant hand. With a single, powerful thrust of the blade, the intense heat blasting from its edge shattered the frozen door open. As the shards of wood flew outward into the hallway, Jason saw Danny curled on his bed with his hands over his hair. Thankfully, his body wasn't frozen. The chill that radiated through the room was colder than anything within Far Frozen and made Jason shiver as he rushed towards Danny whose body jolted in response to his voice.
"Danny!" he shouted out, his core sending the wave of protection and safety to Danny, who winced from the shout.
Jason's boots crunched through the snow as he approached Danny, kneeling down beside him. He grasped his King's shoulder, his own warmth spreading into the coldness of Danny's body. "Danny," he repeated softly, and felt the tension in his King's body ease slightly.
Danny looked up, eyes widening in recognition and relief. "Jason?" he said, voice trembling.
Smiling reassuringly, Jason sent a wave of warmth and reassurance through his core. "I'm here, Danny. I'm here."
As if in response to their exchange, the blizzard outside ceased, and the room began to warm from within.
Danny inched closer to Jason, his exhausted body desperate for warmth. The embrace created a sense of safety as he felt Jason's toned arm tighten around him.
"Your parents?" Jason asked softly. Danny, too tired to speak, simply nodded in response.
"Do you want to sleep?" Jason asked, his fingers lightly stroking Danny's hair. He shook his head no and looked up at Jason with wide, pleading eyes.
"You're tired," Jason sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Danny's face. "Do you want me to stay with you so you don't have to be alone?" Danny nodded again, relieved that he didn't have to speak.
Jason looked to the far corner of the room and saw a small puddle of melted ice where the frigid castle had been moments before. The knight hoisted up the tall, lanky king from the floor and carried him towards his bed, cradling him like a koala cub as he went. As he was about to lay the king down on the bed, Jason heard his mentor and Nocturne enter the room.
"I see you handled the situation, my apprentice," Fright Knight said as they stepped into the doorway.
"Yeah... He got the nightmare of his fucking parents..." Jason replied, tightening his grip around the helpless king protectively as Danny clung to him. He fought to keep his composure, reigning in his anger.
Nocturne, the ghostly figure of sleep and dream, swept into the room on a midnight breeze. He cast his gentle spell of slumber onto the King as he lay in Jason's arms, and watched with fondness to ensure his ward was at peace.
"That should keep him tucked in for a few hours," Nocturne said before turning to Jason. "Do you need my assistance, young Knight?"
Jason looked down at the King, peaceful and unaware, and then back to the ghost. "Nah, I'm good," he sighed. "I just need some time to calm down." Nocturne nodded silently, before he dissipated into the ether like a whisper.
Fright Knight stood in the doorway, illuminated by the faint candlelight in the room. His helmet blocked the majority of his ghostly features, but Jason could still detect a hint of pride in his mentor's voice. He paused for a moment and turned his helmet to glance at Jason, then said, “Rest well and be proud of how far you come, Jason Todd.” With that, Fright Knight disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jason alone with his king in his arms.
Danny snuggled close against Jason and he felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him. Rage coursed through him as he thought about Fentons - if he ever found them, they would fucking pay for what they have done to Danny. As Danny slept peacefully on his chest, Jason vowed to never let anyone hurt him again. He tightened his embrace around Danny and promised himself that when Danny needed him, he would always be there.
#the king and his red knight au#dcxdp#dead on main#jason todd#danny phantom#why my snippets ended up them cuddling in one way or another#they need a lot of hugs#tw nightmares#tw blood#not canon so don't take it as canon#snippets
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Reunion
Got a few more requests done! So please, enjoy!
The request: “ Hello, I hope you're having a good day/night! May I request a cute Cal Kestis x Reader fic where they talk about their time as padawans? Maybe they found each other again after all this time. :) “
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„What planets do you still want to visit?”
Cal turned toward you, his fellow Padawan, as your eyes were still focused on the starry sky above you. Peaceful evenings on a desolate moon like this, where you could just lie in a field somewhere and watch the galactic display above you were rare and you always tried to make the best of them.
The two of you had become apprentices during the war, your Jedi path thus vastly different from the one walked by your Masters.
“I don’t know.”, Cal replied honestly to your question. “I think I’d also be happy serving on Coruscant.”
You pulled a face at the admission, your adventurous spirit revolting at the idea of staying in one place. But just because it wasn’t to your liking, it didn’t mean that it wouldn’t suit Cal. The calmer and more spiritual of you two, life at the temple was probably exactly what would make him happy.
“I can see you becoming a teacher… or even as part of the Council one day.”, you mused, your eyes following a shooting star across the dark firmament.
“And what about you?”, Cal asked, clearly curious.
“I’m going to explore the galaxy.”, you announced, lips spreading into a smile. “I wanna travel the Outer-Rim and help those in need. Maybe I’ll even go into uncharted territory to see what’s out there.”
Cal chuckled. “Sounds just like you.”
This time you turned, directing your smile at your childhood friend. “But I’ll come and visit you at the Temple, of course. And bring back souvenirs.”, you promised, realizing that a life completely apart just wouldn’t do.
The entire evening was filled with dreams, what-ifs and adventurous plans for your futures. All of which would never come to fruition….
10 years later
“I can’t believe you visited so many places…”
Cal turned toward you, his fellow survivor, as your eyes were focused on the starry sky above you. Such moments were rare amidst the war against the Empire and this was the first time you had the chance to lie on a field on a peaceful planet such as Koboh.
“And I can’t believe you were on Coruscant all this time.”, he replied, noticing the irony in that. You had met by pure accident and hadn’t left each other’s side since.
“I figured I’d hide where they’d least expect a Jedi to be.”, you shrugged. The underworld of the city planet was huge, offering plenty of refuge to those who knew how to navigate it.
“Tell me more about Dathomir… And Bogano… They sound fascinating.”
Cal made himself more comfortable by folding his hands under his head, trying to figure out where to begin. There was so much to tell, both places being vastly different from each other. Meanwhile you had turned to your side, looking at him expectantly.
“You know, I think I’ll just show you.”, the redhead finally decided, making you blink.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, why not? We deserve a break after that last mission. And I’m sure you will enjoy Bogano.”
The ravenous landscape, the cute fluffy Boglings and the impressive structure of the ancient temple sounded like just the kind of things that would earn him one of those smiles and laughs he loved so much.
“And what about Dathomir?”
“I’ll ask Merrin if she knows some nice places… Don’t expect an ocean vista or anything though.”
You chuckled as you already envisioned the Nightsister’s face at being asked to play tourguide.
“What about after the war?”
Your question had Cal turning toward you, trying to read your expression.
“What about it?”
“What do you wanna do?”
Cal fell silent. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. After the purge, he didn’t dare to dream anymore like he had as a young Padawan. Noticing that he wasn’t about to say anything, you gathered all your courage to speak yourself.
“I thought we could settle down somewhere… You and I… somewhere quiet and peaceful.”
Cal’s eyes went wide, lips parting in surprise. Settling down? You? With him? Suddenly an image appeared in his head. A small home, a garden, the two of you sitting on a bench with BD-1 running after a little red-haired child….
Realizing that he still owed you a reply, Cal smiled, one of his hands reaching out for yours. “I’d like that.”, he said. “But are you sure? What about your exploration plans?”
“I think we will do quite a bit of traveling before all this is done… Besides, I want to enjoy growing old with you, Cal. And settling down sounds perfect.”
It did to him as well. As long as it was with you.
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APPRENTICE | Kylo Ren x force user!reader
Request: Hi! Can you do a Kylo Ren x Reader, where the reader is a wielder of the Force who begs Kylo to be her teacher and to learn more about it. Imagining she’s heard about him and The First Order, & knows that he’s a powerful force user.
@obsessionprofessional says - Congrats on almost 1000 followers! I hope it IS 1000 by the time you read this! May I please request a Kylo Ren x female reader piece in which he finally admits his feelings? And maybe they snuggle :3 Again, congratulations on this milestone!
description: You realise your slight quirk is actually much more than you ever imagined when you meet an Empire commander who asks you to become his apprentice.
word count: 2.5k
trigger warnings: swearing? slight angst? feeling of being unworthy?
main masterlist
Some people said you had a kind of magic touch when it came to fixing machines. Call it a dull way of living, but being plunged into a world where it was thrive or die, being a useful hand at repairing droids proved incredibly beneficial.
When the order ransacked your village, in need of a crew to fix up a ship that had crash landed nearby. It wasn’t until they started pulling out blasters and yelling threats that someone threw you into the line of fire by claiming you were the best in town at engineering. It was true of course, but the candour had meant you were dragged at gunpoint to the ship and forced to work.
You quickly realised this was not just any ship, but an officer's vehicle. Important, sleek, complex machinery. Not only that, its pilot looked royally pissed as he caressed a bleeding forehead and black eye.
His cold near-black eyes flicked to you as the troopers thrust you forward. “The villagers said this one could fix it,” They said, nodding a head in your direction. He looked you hard in the face, and you jutted your chin up to give some impression that you weren’t afraid.
Truthfully, you were shitting your cargos the moment you saw the saber on his hip.
“You know how to build ships?” He barked, almost as if he was tired of you already, despite the fact you hadn’t dared breathe yet. You swallowed heavily, the stone in your throat not quite dislodging itself.
“Some, yes,” He seemed displeased, as told by the slight tilt of his head, “Most actually,” you corrected yourself, warily. “I’d have to give it a look but with the right tools proba- yes,” You stumbled.
You had no clue what he was thinking as his eyes narrowed into slits. He nodded his head for you to approach the ship, which you did so promptly.
One small mistake and you just knew your heart would be ripped from your chest cavity in seconds.
Breathing in deeply through your nose, you lifted a gentle hand to the body of the ship. It hummed under your touch, as if groaning in pain from the damage to its body, and you let out a deep exhale, removing the control panel to at least pretend to be looking at the damage in the conventional way. You knew you didn’t even need to move an inch to discover the problem thanks to your superpower.
The parts of the ship flickered through your mind, each ticking over in their correct tune until your mind found the source of the problem. You had no clue how you’d always managed to feel the machines, feel every part of them with a single touch, as if they had a life or soul of their own; it was what made you so practical at your job.
You quickly assessed the engine was shot, along with part of the wing’s wiring needed rebuilding. You turned back to the unkind commander with the answer ready in your mouth, only to see him staring at you with something in between fascination and confusion.
“The wings-” You started only for him to cut you off.
“How did you do that?” His sneer shut you up. Normally people just took it that you were talented at your job, no one had ever caught onto what you were actually doing.
“Do- Do what exactly?” You stammered, chest puffing out in faux confidence.
He looked over you a moment longer, before igniting his saber and drawing it to your neck. You could feel the heat washing over your windpipe, the crackling of the weapon echoing in your ears.
You gulped, the bravery slipping with no heistance. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. I felt the disturbance in the force. Are you really so stupid you thought I wouldn’t notice?”
Your face screwed up. “The force? What’s a force?” You asked, eyes flicking to the saber as he brought it closer to your jugular. It was then you crumbled, “Please! I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s just something I’ve always been able to do, it’s how I fix machines so quickly back home-”
“So you have no idea what you are?” He mutters, his eyes dark as they took you in whole. He saw the sincerity in your puzzled expression, saw how your eyes showed nothing but fear and helplessness, like a wounded animal in need of a mercy kill.
He grunted, thrusting out a hand to his ship. You thought he was getting ready to strike you with his bare hand, drawing in on yourself. It was then that you heard a loud groan of metal work, and your head snapped to the ship behind you. You watched as something strong began crushing the vessel, as if the air around it was betraying itself and began squeezing. The metal dented, falling under the weight of the traitorous force.
Force. He had said it himself.
Your head whipped back to meet his eyes, dark and ravenous for the truth. “Do you see? We’re the same, you and I.” Your mouth dropped open, settling for a nod.
He took a step closer to you, a gloved hand coming up to hold your temple, fingers gentle caressing your head. “You think I could do that?” You whispered, feeling something heavy settle over your brain, as if a bug had crawled into your ear as he touched you. You daren’t move away, something about his sharp eyes stunning you into place.
You wished to know what it was he thought you were capable of, the blind faith he was putting in you and whatever this force was you had.
Of course you’d always wondered what it was that made you special, and here he was offering you an explanation.
“You don’t know just how special you are,” He said clearly, dropping his hand. His black eyes flicked over your face that drew back in shock. It was as if he’d heard every thought you’d had, surely he couldn’t have. “I could show you just how remarkable you could be, just say the word.”
You gaped at him, stuck for words. The Empire were evil, they tore everything good up from the root and left the rest of the world to rot. You could never be one of them, never succumb to their ways. But you yearned to know what it was that gave you this power, yearned to wield it, perhaps even then use it for good; wanted to learn how to become as powerful and strong as he was. You saw how the troopers cowered around him, perhaps you could even hold that fear over them.
You looked up at him, his eyes calculating as they took you in. He could give you all that.
“Teach me,” You murmured back.
“Again!” He commanded, your chest constricting in an ache now familiar to you. It had been six months since he had found you and while you had come on leaps and bounds than simply testing machinery, you were even able to move objects with your powers now.
The Force as you had come to understand it was peculiar in how it presented itself in each user. Kylo, who you spent most days with as his new apprentice, had told you some were better at healing while others specialised in combat, though you were pretty sure he was trying to comfort you in his own way at the fact you struggled some days to so much as lift blocks than move people like he could.
Today being one of those days, where no matter how hard you pushed yourself, how hard you willed your hand to grasp the metal block and bring it to yourself, the damn thing would not budge.
“Kylo, I’m trying,” You grunted between attempts. You wouldn’t be surprised if you burst a vessel at this point with the exertion on your brain, “I can’t-”
“You are much more capable than you know,” The man retorted, and you felt his snake-like eyes watching as your face crumpled in effort. It was supposed to be supportive, but the way he said it was cold and plunging to your chest, as if he was tired of your dramatics.
It only served to dishearten you further.
“You expect too much of me, I’m no better than any child trying to learn this stuff,” You snapped, lowering your hand with a slap to your leg. You were tired, tired of all of this. “Maybe-” You willed yourself not to cry, “Do you ever think maybe I’m just not good enough?”
The past six months had truly taken your spirit out of you. Kylo woke you up early most days for the two of you to eat together before you had training. From there it was four hours in the morning, a break for lunch, then studying the texts he gave you on force users that came before you. Then more training like today's session, usually about object manipulation but he had been trying to get you to learn how to read his mind for the past few weeks. That alone was proving difficult since you were constantly on edge wondering if he was doing the same to you, the way his eyes darkened and jaw clenched making you believe he knew exactly what you were thinking.
It wasn’t so difficult to see with one look into your head that your every thought revolved around him these days. How handsome he was, how he occasionally would caress your arm when helping you to focus, which only worked to send you spiralling. How pretty he was when he laughed if you said something particularly witty over first meal.
You stopped trying, looking up at him tiredly. “What if I’m not as special as you want me to be?” You asked emptily. Seeing how talented he was only rubbed salt in the wound of your failures and had you wondering if you were cut out to be here for weeks now.
He stopped, looking across the room at where you stood looking hopeless. “You’re being stupid,” He said, but the way his eyebrows quirked upwards slightly told you he wasn’t as annoyed as he sounded.
“No!” You protested, shrugging your shoulders and rubbing your neck, “You keep saying I can be great, I can be so much more- but you don’t get it. I’m trying, I’m bleeding myself dry to please you and I just know I’m never going to be as powerful as you want me to be,”
He was losing you, he could feel you slipping between his fingers as you stepped away from him. He knew he was pushing you but it was only because he saw the fire burning inside of you, the energy growing day by day, because he wanted you to be able to defend yourself if the worst should happen, if he couldn’t be there to take care of you.
Kylo had not known any feeling like this before, as if the day he saw you fix his machine he had met himself in the form of another. Someone who could understand, who he could shape into an equal. His fondness only grew once he realised how funny you were, how your mind ticked in an entirely different way to his own, how you were not another version of him but your own in an entirely unique way.
He loved how kind you were, and gentle. Something he never was in this life. He saw how you looked at him, and he simply longed for you to realise just how much he cared.
“You are,” Kylo whispered, finding his voice before you could turn away from him for good. You looked up at him, hearing him mumble under his breath. “You can be so powerful if you keep trying,”
You shook your head, feeling as if this were the same thing you had heard time and time again, “Maybe it’s best if I just go home,”
That had his heart plummeting, “No, don’t-”
“I think that would be best for both of us. I’m sorry I’ve wasted your time,” You turned to exit the training room, wondering how you would get back to your home planet.
“Wait!” He tried calling, and with three simple strides he had caught up to you and grabbed a tight hold of your arm, willing you not to go, “Please,”
That was a shock. He had never used such a word in the time you’d known him. You eyes snapped to his to see him staring down at you like a vulnerable creature.
“Kylo-”
“You can’t leave me, please,” He begged, pulling you closer, “I know I don’t tell you, I haven’t told you but you are already spectacular. You never needed me to be special,”
You frowned at him up at him, head drawing back in frustration. “Don’t take pity on me, Kylo. I don’t need it,”
“No, it’s true! It was never me that made you amazing,” Kylo said, drawing you into his embrace further, as if scared you would flee like a scared sand rat, “You were all that on your own,” He went quiet, as if debating whether to talk more before his eyes flicked to your sneering lips, “It’s one of the things I like most about you, actually,”
Your chest stopped, mouth struggling to choose between hanging open and remaining clamped shut as you tried to formulate words.
He liked you. He liked you, and he no doubt knew just from one touch alone you liked him. Of course he must know. Should you tell him how you feel despite that? He must know, you must make sure he knows its mutual-
“Just,” Kylo’s begging cut through the tangent your brain sent you into as it always did when you thought of him, “Please don’t leave. I don’t want to be alone again. You mean more to me than I know what to do with,” His voice was quiet now, each word breathing over your lips.
Anything. You would do anything for him if it meant he would keep looking at you like that, begging you like that.
You didn’t need to read his mind to know he was being honest, to know you needed each other more than either of your had ever realised.
#kylo ren imagine#kylo ren x reader#kylo ren fanfiction#star wars imagine#star wars fanfiction#star wars#star wars fanart#adam driver#Adam driver x reader#Adam driver imagine#kylo ren#ben solo x reader#ben solo imagine#ben solo fanfiction
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Here are some short writings from Linked Galaxy!
Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?
Warriors snickered unashamedly as Four pulled a stormtrooper helmet over his head. The two of them and Legend had snuck aboard an imperial cruiser and were in need of disguises. The captain decided to tease the boy as he adjusted the plastoid armor on his shoulder.
"You've definitely gotta be the shortest stormtrooper I've ever seen." The man chuckled.
Four yanked the helmet off and leveled him with a glare.
He muttered bitterly, "Hand me that cadet helmet."
Legend slid in next to Warriors in full armor. "Honestly, he should really be posing as a captured Ewok or Jawa instead."
Four roughly pulled the cadet helmet over his head and growled in a filtered voice, "Shut up or I'll stun you."
Legend knocked on the top of Four's helmet with a daring smirk. "Try it. We'll see how this op goes when you're dragging my limp body around."
The captain cut in with a mock serious tone, "Don't do it, Four. It won't go over well."
Four scowled underneath the helmet. "Why did I have to be assigned this mission with you two?"
Where's your padawan?
Time peeked over the crate carefully. Standing at attention, in front of their escape was an outrageous amount of troopers. He sighed then turned to address the two boys next to him.
"Now, this is a tight situation. We are out numbered by a lot and our chances of getting out of this hanger with guns blazing is out of the question." He shared a glance with his former apprentice. "I think it best to employ stealth-"
Time glanced around. "Twilight, where's your padawan?"
The sound of an explosion and screaming bucket-heads rang out behind him. "That's him isn't it?"
Twilight rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah..."
Time pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I'm going to have a word with both of you later. Let's get moving before Wild gets himself killed."
Point and Shoot
Legend fired his blaster at an approaching trooper and swiped his gun. After examining it briefly, he tossed it to his companion.
Hyrule fumbled to catch the weapon as Legend spoke, "There. Use that."
Hyrule turned the blaster over in his hands, looking for the grip. "I have never used a blaster before."
Legend stared at the younger boy blankly for a moment before continuing his march down the hallway. "What am I going to do with you, kid? It's simple. Point and shoot."
She's a good speeder!
"Rusl can drop us off at the spaceport and then bring Epona back home so we don't have to worry about leaving her," Twilight summarized his plan for leaving Ordon.
Time raised a brow. "You named your speeder?"
"She's a good speeder!" Twilight defended himself with his arms crossed over his chest.
The exasperated master shook his head. "I'm not going to argue about this."
Please tell me we won't...
"Please tell me we won't have me launched full speed in an escape pod into an imperial space station?" Wind huffed after speaking what seemed to be utter nonsense in a down right serious tone.
"I'm sorry?" Sky leaned forward to glance at the boy in concern and confusion. "We uh won't do that?
Wild grinned like a mad man. "Yes. Yes we will."
Four is a droid?
"Who needs a droid when you have Four to fix things? Am I right?" Wind elbowed Warriors next to him.
Legend chuckled. "Do you think he can make it past the detectors in a cantina?"
"Probably not," Wild jumped in. "Not with all that scrap metal he carries around with him."
Four's eye twitched and he gripped the wrench in his hand. "I am so close to strangling all of you."
Warriors didn't bother to hide his amusement. "He's got the attitude for it too."
"Say goodbye to your heaters. Don't come to me to fix it when you're all freezing in your rooms tonight."
I'm a fighter pilot!
Sky stumbled into the captain's seat of a freighter and scanned over the controls frantically.
"How does this thing work?" He yelled towards the back of the ship.
Legend stopped his decent down the ladder in shock. "I thought you were the best pilot!"
"I'm a fighter pilot!" Sky shot back in frustration. "I've never seen a ship like this before!"
Legend blinked at him in disbelief. "This is a simple freighter! How have you not seen one?"
"My people never traded with outsiders!" Sky explained as he guessed at the switches and successfully started the engines. "The biggest ship we have besides our loftwing fighters is the Skycarrier itself!"
"Blast it all!" Legend swore as he mentally declared this conversation a lost cause. He let himself drop into the lower turret position. "Just figure it out! I'm manning the guns!"
How'd you get so skilled with a lightsaber?
"How'd you get so skilled with a lightsaber?" Twilight asked as he and Sky boarded their home ship.
Sky pondered a moment. "I was trained by the ghosts of ancient Jedi."
Time, who happened to hear them as they entered, spilled his caff in surprise.
"Is that right?" Twilight grinned.
Sky nodded. "I think facing off against two supposed long dead Sith Lords was a big part of it."
The captain, who had walked past them at that moment, turned to face the eldest in the corner.
"Did he just say what I thought he said?" Warriors spoke in a panicked tone.
Time didn't reply as he cleaned up his spilled drink.
#linked galaxy#lu sky#lu legend#lu wild#lu twilight#lu time#lu wind#lu warriors#lu four#lu hyrule#linked universe#linked universe fanfiction#linked universe Star Wars Au#lu star wars au#courage writes
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Gale: I spend most of my time trying to convince [my students] how much fun the study of magic can be, but it'd be easier to crack a smile on an intellect devourer than some of my pupils...
Kyvir: Don't worry. I can say from experience - you're an excellent teacher.
Gale: Ah, so you still remember our little lesson? It was at that moment, the Weave connecting us, that I realised how much your friendship had come to mean to me. As it still does. 'Teaching' you was hardly an effort at all. Not like my present cohort of apprentices. They try their best, of course - when they can manage to stay awake.
Tressym: The cheek of them! Nothing a well-placed swipe from Tara can't fix, though.
Aw, that's cute. I love that Gale's little lesson meant so much to him. It's such a sweet scene already and then having this callback to it and making it clear how much it meant to Gale makes it even better. I also love him going "You were so much better at learning magic than my wizard students are." And Tara grumbling because how dare those baby wizards not pay attention to her human!
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Flufftober 14 - Star Wars
Poe Dameron x Reader
A rumour circulated in the Resistance : Poe Dameron, Black Leader, the best pilot, was not afraid of anything.
Absolutely nothing, ever.
He was ready to do anything to win the war against the New Republic. Of course, he didn't want to lose his squad, he did everything to get everyone back to base after each mission, he stood in front of them, ready to take the shots for them, drawing the ships behind him to create a diversion, when he was not doing loops and other dangerous figures only to amuse the people of the Resistance in order to cheer them up.
Even though they were all very impressed, people still trembled a little when they saw him do it. Oh, they knew he was the best, as his reputation said, but they didn't want anything to happen to him.
Some of his relatives told him so, begging him to be more careful, like General Organa, Finn or Rey. It just made him laugh.
Then there was Y/N, who also ordered him to stop his nonsense, but for other reasons.
"Your ship is in for a pitiful state. Again."
"My ship is doing very well !"
"As good as your droid ! Poor BB8, you're all broke. Your owner is such a fool."
"I take very good care of BB8 and my ship !"
"You are the pilot and I am the mechanic, I am the one who says if you take good care of your devices, and my verdict is clear, you suck !"
"OH ! Take that back !"
Every time he returned to the base, Poe would park in the same spot in the hangar, and people were wondering if it was because he was fearless, headless, or something else, because he knew very well that it was this section that Y/N was responsible for, and that she systematically criticized him.
"Do you know how much time I have to spend on your ship's repairs, Dameron ?" she growled. "You are not alone here, the others also need me to check that everything is fine before leaving. I don't want there to be an accident during the flights."
"Well darling, if you're being so thorough because you're worried about me, you can tell me, and you can stop, because as the best pilot in the resistance, I know what I'm doing."
"I don't care if you crash into an asteroid, I don't want this jewel I've been working on for hours to have a single scratch. And I want BB8 back at the base !"
"So it's fine, since my ship is perfect and BB8 follows me everywhere !" he said with a forced smile.
"He follows you everywhere to prevent you from doing stupid things !"
"Beep beep !"
"You... BB, you're supposed to be on my side ! Come on, I can fix you myself, while Miss Mechanic pretends to take care of my perfect ship !"
"I'm going to make it even more perfect, and I'll check everything you've done to this poor droid to keep it from falling apart !"
From the other end of the hangar, Finn and Rey watched the scene, still the same, wondering if they should intervene.
After the third argument, it seemed obvious to the apprentice jedi that these two were idiots who dared not admit their feelings to each other. Finn hadn't been immediately convinced, but after the sixteenth argument, he was beginning to see what she meant.
"It's like a courtship. They go like they hate each other, but they actually love each other."
"Why don't they just tell each other ?" asked the former stormtrooper.
"Because they are stupid, like many people. They wonder if the other shares their feelings, and they are afraid of being rejected. They may also be afraid of what other people will say if they are together. And it's war, it's dangerous to get attached to someone."
Rey was right to say that. When the base was attacked, there was panic, and everyone tried to flee by saving the most people and bringing the most equipment, so they could continue to fight later.
In a panic, Poe focused on what was around him, the General, BB8, Finn, Rey and his squad. Together they managed to repel the enemy troops long enough for evacuation, then they joined the resistance in their new hideout.
It was upon landing that Poe immediately noticed something was wrong.
Y/N wasn't there to greet him with her criticisms and check to see if he had broken anything.
"... Where's Y/N ?" he asked several people in the hangar.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her."
"Not seen... Since when ?"
"During the attack. She was helping pilots in the North Complex. I don't know what happened to her after. Sorry."
Ignoring anyone who wished to speak to him to thank him for saving them or to ask him what they should do next, Poe ran all over the new base, looking for Y/N.
She wasn't in the infirmary. Nor in the private quarters being set up. Nor in the command room
Totally panicked, followed by BB, who was rolling behind him as fast as he could, Poe tried not to cry as he raced down the halls.
Until he bumped into someone who was carrying several boxes.
"I hope you take a better look at where you're going when you're in your ship, Dameron."
"... Y/N !"
Not giving her time to understand what was going on, not even having time to think himself, Poe took her in his arms, suddenly feeling relieved.
She was there, she was alive.
Timidly, still holding her boxes with one arm, she patted his back, sighing and resting her head on his shoulder.
"I take it your ship needs some repairs ? I heard you had a few issues up there before you could blow them all up."
"Yeah. It may need some repairs."
"Hmm. I'll go take care of it."
"Wait. Wait a bit."
They stood here, hugging for several more minutes, until Y/N was too embarrassed by the people watching them.
Then there was a new rumour in the resistance : Poe Dameron, the best pilot, and his mechanic, liked each other. But, like... Liked liked.
And if there was one thing that scared Black Leader, it was to lose her.
#star wars#poe dameron#poe dameron x reader#poe dameron imagine#poe dameron fanfiction#flufftober 2022
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Lying In Between The Memories
You could call it paradise but it looks just like hell to me
Summary: Following the blood rite, Gwyneth Berdara can't shake the memories of a life long-gone.
The shadowsinger can't seem to move on after five centuries of loving the same woman.
Together, they'll have to carve a new path forward.
Read on AO3 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
[ongoing TW for Sexual Assault]
Somewhere between lunch with the High Lord and Azriel and Nesta returning from the Illyrian Mountains, Gwyn found herself standing in front of Merril, trying to explain her upcoming absence.
“The timing of this is terrible, Gwyneth,” Merril said with a heavy, displeased sigh. “Surely there is someone more competent?”
Surely, she wanted to say though Gwyn didn’t dare. “The High Lord requested me specifically,” she replied, forcing herself to remain polite and neutral.
“I suppose I could write him and say—”
“I’m going,” Gwyn interrupted, drawing Merril’s attention. The older priestess looked up from the papers strewn over her desk, eyes alight with surprise. Gwyn had never spoken to her with anything but respect but this was too edged with her frustration to be mistaken as kindness. Gwyn didn’t know how to untangle the messy web of feelings knotted in her chest. Only that every time someone tried to stop her, defiance tumbled out of her unbidden. No one thought she was capable of anything.
Except, she supposed, her very close circle of friends. Cassian had recommended her to Rhysand, hadn’t he? And surely Nesta supported it—or would, when Gwyn had a chance to tell her. Emerie, too, even if she thought it was a bad idea. But Azriel and Merril stood like a wall before her, disapproving and skeptical.
“I’ll find someone who can pick up where I left off,” Gwyn added hastily. She would have to return eventually, and it would be nice to have her post back when she finished. Merril, despite her flaws (of which there were many), was one of the best researchers in the Night Court. Securing a position with her had been a testament to Gwyn’s skill. She wanted her own office one day, where she might research the things that fascinated her while an apprentice worked beneath her.
“Don’t bother,” Merril said, narrowing her twilight eyes. “Leave, if that’s what you wish. But don’t think you’ll be returning to me, Gwyneth.”
Gwyn froze. “What?”
It was so deeply unfair. Merril reclined in her chair, snow white hair draped over the blue of her robes. A feline smile spread over her truly beautiful face though to Gwyn right then, there had never been anyone uglier. She could be so cruel.
“You heard me. You can stay and keep your position, or you can run off on your little adventure and fight the other priestesses for a new position when you return.”
“But I earned this,” Gwyn protested, anger rising hotly in her throat. “And the High Lord asked me!”
“Asked,” Merril agreed. “Not demanded. You’re choosing to leave, and there are consequences to your actions.”
Gwyn swallowed the lump in her throat to keep herself from screaming, her resentment dragging her under like a furious riptide.
“Fine,” she whispered, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. Not sadness—but anger, bruising her already fragile pride. She’d come back to Velaris worse than when she’d left, but maybe the High Priestess would recognize the work she’d done in Montessere and reward her for it anyway. And if she didn’t, well…
Well Gwyn would have to figure it out. She wasn’t going to be bullied into staying, even if deep, deep down Gwyn wasn’t sure she even wanted to go. The more people like Merril and Azriel betrayed how little faith in her they had, the more she felt the need to prove them wrong.
“Gwyneth—!”
Gwyn stormed out, slamming the door loudly in her wake. It was childish and she knew it, but for just a second, releasing a burst of anger felt good. And then it felt bad again, which was what made the whole thing childish and stupid. Gwyn’s anger was more than just Merril or Azriel—it was vast and unyielding, a yawning cavern that had swallowed her whole long, long ago. There was no climbing the smooth, stone walls of that prison. There was only acclimating to the dark.
And, on occasion, slamming doors and acting petulant.
Gwyn ignored Clotho at the desk, watching with those too-knowing eyes of hers. If she stopped, Clotho would reprimand her in that silent, soft way of hers and Gwyn would go back to Merril’s office and apologize. Gods, but Gwyn knew she should. She ought to grovel and plead and beg, which might appease Merril enough to hold her spot.
But she couldn’t. Not after the scene she’d made. Maybe tomorrow, Gwyn reasoned, knowing full well she’d have a different reason why she shouldn’t. She was too young to be a lead researcher and she knew it.
And still she hoped.
With nothing else to do, and no training, Gwyn made her way up hoping Nesta had returned so she could at least get some idea of what Rhysand might actually want from her. Up Gwyn went, nose wrinkling when the scent of sex and Nesta and Cassian’s mating bond hit her full force. It had been a while since they’d smelled so potent.
It had been a year, she realized. Nesta and Cassian were celebrating. Gwyn had completely forgotten. She started to turn and slip back out but Cassian strolled down the hall, lacing up a pair of dark pants with a smile on his face. Gwyn’s eyes immediately fell to the floor when she saw his tangled hair and his lack of shirt. She’d grown up hearing stories about how territorial mates were, and though she didn’t think Nesta would ever believe she was after Cassian, better to not give her a reason, either.
“Hey Gwyn. Nes is in the study if you’re looking for her.”
Gwyn offered him a bland smile. “Thanks.”
“I heard you took Rhys up on Montessere,” he added, drawing her attention back to his face. Cassian was just easy to like. Despite his size and the way he looked like he could kill her with just two of his fingers, Gwyn only ever felt safe around him. Even without a shirt, even reeking of arousal and her best friend.
“Yeah,” she replied lamely, unsure what to even say.
“Azriel can be a hard bastard,” Cassian told her not for the first time, though there was affection lacing his words. “But there’s no one better to have around when things go sideways. And don’t tell him I said this, but I know Rhys and I will sleep better knowing someone has his back.”
“I doubt he wants or needs someone at his back,” Gwyn replied, shifting uncomfortably. Azriel would likely chew them both out for the audacity to think so.
“Well of course he doesn’t. None of us do. That doesn’t make us right. Just keep an eye on him, yeah? For me?”
“Sure,” she agreed, certain Azriel would put a knife to her throat if he ever caught her trying to keep an eye on him. He was the spymaster and she was still just a student. She could watch him while he ate, she supposed, and whenever he decided to show his scowling, disapproving face.
Cassian didn’t stop her from leaving without so much as a goodbye, though she felt his eyes trailing her down the hall. Gwyn took the steps two at a time, knees creaking by the time she reached the top. It felt good, and settled some of the anger pumping just beneath her skin.
Nesta was serene in the study, remolded to better suit her tastes. Gwyn had to admit that the warm black and green made the space feel small and inviting despite the thrown open curtains that brought in the limited autumn light.
Nesta was curled in a squashy chair far from Cassian’s desk, book in hand. Her neatly braided hair had half unwound, framing her bright blue eyes and kiss stained lips.
My best friend. Gwyn couldn’t believe, even now, that Emerie and Nesta had chosen her. She still couldn’t believe it. Smiling, she offered Nesta a compliment. “You look good.”
“I feel good,” Nesta replied, stretching her legs like a cat. “I needed that.”
“Oh yeah?” Gwyn teased, walking to the heavy white rug that covered the majority of the floor. Cassian had turned the room into a smaller version of the library, building the shelves in the walls himself, complete with a hanging ladder Nesta could climb to reach all the way to the ceiling. All Nesta’s favorite books were housed here, arranged alphabetically by her, Gwyn, and Emerie over a particularly fun weekend.
A crimson blush stained Nesta’s cheeks. “Oh, stop. It feels like we’re never alone.”
“Maybe you should find a cozier place,” Gwyn suggested, well aware Nesta loved the house. Nesta grimaced, eyes fixed on Gwyn. With her book set against the little side table, she crossed her arms over the amethyst dress she wore and asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“It seems you already know,” Gwyn replied. “I barely know myself given I just sent the High Lord a letter last night and he hasn’t even responded.”
“The bats are busy bodies,” Nesta said affectionately. “Cassian knew before we left this morning and has not stopped talking about it. I’m surprised, though, given you’ve been dodging me and Em lately.”
Shame pooled low in Gwyn’s stomach. Nesta was far less polite than Emerie was, and those eyes demanded a truthful explanation. The problem was Gwyn–she couldn’t tell Nesta the truth because Nesta, in true Nesta fashion, would move heaven and earth to try and make things right.
And though people still whispered Lady Death whenever Nesta was around, even Nesta could not bring back Catrin.
She couldn’t erase the memories from Gwyn’s mind, nor could her cursebreaking sister. Nesta had defeated her demons—but Gwyn had not. And maybe she never would, either. Not everyone could be Nesta Archeron. Nesta was strong and sometimes, when Gwyn was honest with herself, she didn’t think she possessed that same easy strength.
So Gwyn decided to lie. “Things are bad with Merril. She’s…” Gods, but this was true, wasn’t it? And her emotions certainly felt real as she forced herself to say, “She’s taking a new apprentice.”
Nesta’s eyes went wide with sympathy before narrowing into anger. Silver flame, the little piece still left from the Cauldron, erupted in her gaze. “I’ll go—”
“No!” Gwyn interrupted, hands thrown out in front of her. “No, I…”
Nesta waited, leaning forward until her elbows rested on her knees. “I need to figure it out,” Gwyn finally said lamely. If Nesta went barrelling down the stairs demanding answers and special treatment, no one would work with Gwyn ever again. They’d think she was trying to use the High Lord’s family against them, and Rhysand was supposed to be outside the bounds of the library. He housed them, he paid them, and certainly benefited from their research, but he had no authority within those walls. To let an Archeron try and upend that would cause nothing but trouble.
“Let me help,” Nesta implored.
“I’ll be leaving soon. Merril was never going to hold my spot,” Gwyn heard herself say with forced cheer. “I’ll worry about it when I get back.”
Nesta didn’t seem convinced, though. Gwyn needed to change the subject before Nesta devised a plan that would see Gwyn reprimanded in a painful, public way. There was only so much humiliation she could endure at Merril’s hands, and knowing she’d have to grovel was certainly enough. Grovelling and apologizing was too much.
“I actually was hoping you could help me with something.”
Nesta’s brows shot skyward. “Oh?”
Shaking out her hands, Gwyn said, “I ah…I thought you would take me into Velaris?”
Nesta clapped with delight, face illuminated with a smile. Gone was her irritation with Merril, forgotten when she realized Gwyn was asking to go out. Nesta, who preferred to be inside most nights, had prodded a couple times.
Come to Rita’s with me.
I know a really cute bookstore!
What if we got tea in the city today?
And always, Gwyn said no, no, no. But she needed to practice somewhere safe and Velaris wasn’t that much different than the library. It was still under the High Lord’s protection and Gwyn trusted Rhysand. She trusted Nesta, too…and she mostly trusted herself. She could do this. She could prove Merril wrong about her.
Azriel, too.
And maybe, in the process, she could prove herself wrong, too.
AZRIEL:
“Gwyn is going,” Rhys said the moment Azriel stepped into his study.
“Hello to you, too,” Azriel grumbled, dropping onto the leather loveseat without an ounce of grace. Squashing his wings against the back cushions irked him, though not enough to sit back up and rearrange himself. Rhys arched a brow.
“No point suffering on my account,” he said in a droll voice. Grumbling only to himself, Azriel did adjust his wings, letting them flare around him so he could still recline, legs draped over the arm of the sofa. His shadows trailed over his chest, content to relax in the safety of Rhys’s home. There would be no whispered words here, no warning about the world though Azriel’s ears seemed to ring all the same.
“Rhys, you know this is a bad idea.”
“Do I? She completed the blood rite, same as us,” Rhys replied, sitting back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him.
“Emerie carried her up the mountain,” Azriel reminded him, hating himself for saying it. Rhys’s eyes flashed.
“As you did for me.”
“That was different,” Azriel protested, though in truth he knew it wasn’t. Nesta had told Cassian everything and in turn, Cassian had told both Rhys and Azriel. Gwyn’s injury was the result of heroism so undeniable that it made him a bastard to use it against her—to discredit her hard-won victory just so he could go alone.
“What’s your actual problem with the priestess? Cass told me you’d been training her privately. What happened?”
Azriel couldn’t look at Rhys. “I don’t know,” he said tersely. “She quit asking.”
Rhys sighed. “She’s in the city with Nesta and Emerie tonight.”
That was news to Azriel. Turning his head, one hand supporting his neck, he asked, “Where?”
Rhys shrugged. “I didn’t push. I figure it’s probably a good idea to give Nesta space while we work out this new…truce…between us. And I wasn’t invited. Cass told me.”
“Is Cassian invited?” Azriel asked, wondering why it hurt his feelings that he wasn’t. Of course Cassian would be invited. He was mated to Nesta and planning a wedding. Of course she’d want him there. Emerie and Gwyn trusted Cassian like they trusted each other—he simply wasn’t a threat.
And though he’d tried, they never quite had the same easiness with him that they did with Cassian. Azriel couldn’t understand why.
“Az–”
“Don’t,” Azriel interrupted, slamming his mental walls shut. Rhys had heard his racing thoughts, his face utterly devoid of emotion. That was for the best, Azriel decided. “I don’t think she’s ready for this.”
“Then I’ll call Vanserra up,” Rhys replied, the utterly smug bastard. “Because you’re not doing this alone.”
“Mor did—”
“And look what fucking happened!” Rhys snarled, rising from his chair. “They treated her like trash, took advantage of her kind nature and—”
“And what?” Azriel demanded, sitting up to look at Rhys. “And what, Rhys?”
Rhys drummed his fingers against his desk. “And Mor knows when to cut her losses and walk away. You do not. Consider Gwyn my insurance that you’ll return to me in one piece, more or less.”
“You’ve never had a problem with my methods before.”
“If we can figure out how to dispatch Beron, we could have real peace for the first time in centuries,” Rhys breathed, holding Azriel’s gaze. “Don’t you want to see it?”
No.
“Of course,” he lied. Azriel had always just assumed he would be dead before the wars ended. Had banked on it, really. He’d never planned out a future, hadn’t spent the money Rhys paid him, had never taken steps to create a comfortable life. “Gwyn shouldn’t be used as an insurance policy.”
Rhys shrugged his shoulders. “I have different hopes for her.”
“She deserves to be left alone, not used like a bargaining chip,” Azriel all but whispered as he tried—and failed—to push the memory of meeting her for the first time out of his mind. It wasn’t so much that it was Gwyn, though seeing her that first day had been jarring. It was the scene itself that was branded on his consciousness.
The scent of smoke and steel, of blood and arousal all mingled in the air like a dense, choking fog. He’d been with Mor, prepared to kill soldiers or defend priestess, depending on when they arrived. Other temples had been ransacked before, burned to the ground and bodies little more than charred ash.
But this…this. Azriel had just assumed Hybern’s men wouldn’t bother with defenseless priestesses beyond slaughtering them. There were some lines even Azriel wouldn’t cross and harming those who were defenseless and those who were devoted to peace were certainly one of them. Mor had come in first, her face so pale Azriel hadn’t thought of anything but her when they stepped through the archway of the temple. The two of them paused, taking stock of the utter devastation around them. Azriel had been on enough battlefields to recognize them on scent alone, though never in a place so serene.
He’d stepped in a pool of viscous blood. A headless body lay strewn just inside, scattered among pages torn from books and priceless objects shattered in pursuit of that missing cauldron piece. Doors had been ripped from their hinges, leaving him and Mor to wordlessly agree they’d each take a hall for anyone still lingering. Azriel could hear the lull of male laughter, could hear the thudding heart of someone very clearly frightened. Azriel withdrew his sword, throat tight, as he stepped into the kitchen. Another headless priestess lay against the swirling tile, while a third was pinned to a butcher's block, her dress torn and pulled up over her hips, her face turned so he couldn’t see her eyes. Alive, though, she was alive—
“Azriel!” Rhys snarled, pulling Azriel from the memory. He could still hear his roar of fury, could still taste the blood as he cut them down without question, without caring what they might know. He’d destroyed a high ranking Hybernian General in his rage and even now couldn’t bring himself to regret it.
And he’d brought Gwyn to Mor, who’d taken her straight to the library. It was wrong to use her this way. She’d earned peace, however that looked for her. In whatever form, even if he disagreed with it. One of them should have an easy life, freed of the things that haunted them.
“Call Vanserra,” he said, striding to the door. “Leave her out of this.”
“She’s going,” Rhys said, voice whisper soft behind him. “She wants to go.”
“She doesn’t know what she wants,” Azriel snapped, gripping the wood frame so hard it groaned beneath his fingers.
“I don’t think you’re the judge of that. I need Lucien here, besides. If his father is stirring up discord, Lucien is the only person who knows the Forest House inside and out.”
“What about Eris?”
“I don’t trust Eris to act in Prythian’s best interests—or mine—if it interferes with his own goals.”
“But you trust Lucien?” Azriel demanded. Rhys’s smile was feline, then. It was the slick smile of the High Lord, not of his friend.
“I trust that Lucien wants to see Elain and wouldn’t lie to me and jeopardize that.”
Azriel blinked. “You’d keep her from him?”
Rhys shrugged. “I’d do a lot of things to keep my family safe.”
Azriel ignored the stab of guilt he felt. They all knew how far Rhys would go to protect them. He’d abandon his morals and any semblance of dignity, too. And though Azriel felt little kinship with the seventh son to the Autumn High Lord, he did feel the smallest bit of pain when he imagined how it would feel to be bound to another male’s whims because they had your mate.
Azriel sighed, scrubbing his face with his hand. “What do I need to know about Montessere?”
“Since you and Mor are on such good terms again, why not ask her?”
There was a question in Rhys’s voice—what happened between you two? It was one Azriel couldn’t answer without selling her out. And though Mor would never love him the way he’d hoped she might, he still couldn’t betray her. Azriel couldn’t just turn off all those centuries worth of wanting her. He felt protective of that secret and protective of her.
He likely always would.
Azriel found Mor in Velaris, sitting in the Palace of Bone and Salt with a goblet of wine in hand. If Rhys had warned her he was coming or she’d merely somehow known, Azriel didn’t ask. Truthfully, he was distracted by the sound of tinkling laughter a couple tables down. As they always did, his shadows skittered away at the sight of bright, sunlit Mor, though one seemed to linger, attention directed at that pretty, easy laughter.
There, sitting in a pink shaft of waning daylight, was Gwyn, Emerie, and Nesta. No sight of Cassian, which did little to ease the building ache in his chet. He wanted to be there, basking in their easy smiles and drinking, too. He’d never seen the three of them so laid back, so carefree. Typically he saw them in their training leathers, weapons in hands and they studied to lead a unit of Illyrian females.
Mor snapped her fingers for his attention. “Do you want to ask to join them?” she asked with an infectious smile. “I’m sure they’d agree.”
“I came to talk to you,” he said, angling his chair so he could watch them better without being so obvious about it. Azriel wondered if this was Gwyn and Emeries first time in Velaris and if they were enjoying themselves. He could have given them a tour if they’d asked.
But they hadn’t, and he wasn’t going to intrude. Their friendship reminded him of himself, Rhysand, and Cassian. Had they once looked so young and happy, too? Now, Azriel thought they seemed exhausted, worn down by decades of fighting, of trying to keep armies from battering their doorstep.
Maybe Rhys was right. Maybe peace was achievable. And though he’d never admit it, Azriel yearned for that future. It was worth fighting for, at any rate.
“You know,” Mor’s voice was laced with amusement, “talking to me does require…you know…talking.”
“Sorry,” he said, giving her his undivided attention. Mor was stunning, with her rosy cheeks and her sparkling ochre eyes. She’d woven her blonde hair off her truly perfect face, though wispy tendrils brushed against the tanned skin of her forehead. Azriel was working to reimagine her place in his life, working to shift the love he felt into something more familiar and platonic.
But it ached, all the same. “Rhys said you could give me the rundown on Montessere.”
Mor wrinkled her nose. “I heard you and Gwyn were going. I wish you luck, truly, because I don’t think I’d go back even if Rhys begged.”
“It was that bad?”
She shook her head. “Worse. Their King, Gareth, is more concerned with Vallahan and Rask to truly care about us, though they watch. Both Vallahan and Rask wish to expand their borders and I’m certain Rask is thinking the same. Scythia is the obvious mark, and given how unstable it is…”
“Isn’t that Lucien’s job?” Azriel asked, thinking of the reports Vanserra had been giving him over the last three years.
Mor blew out a breath. “I think Lucien’s job is just keeping an eye on the humans. Vassa isn’t living in Scythia, either—she’s hiding here in the mortal lands waiting on Koschei, is she not?”
Azriel only shrugged.
“Regardless. They aren’t your friend, Azriel.”
“Because friendship was my number one priority,” Azriel replied dryly. Mor arched a delicate brow, nodding toward the Valkyries.
“Does she know that?”
“Better to keep her out of the politics,” Azriel replied smoothly. “She’s on a different sort of fact finding mission.”
“I never managed to find out if Beron was in contact with anyone on the continent. He was working with the human queens—the stupid fool—but the Fae on the continent aren’t stupid. They’re old, too, Az.”
“We’re old,” he reminded her. Mor’s smile didn’t meet her eyes.
“They’re older. And unlike us, they’ve avoided war for the last thousand years simply by doing nothing. It would be convenient to let us fight another on their behalf and wait to see how it plays out. If Beron is making a move—or Koschei—I don’t think they’d help unless their shores were directly threatened. And if we were all wiped out…”
“They could pick us off like caracases and start a colony.”
“Exactly,” she agreed, lifting her goblet to her lips. “Find out what you can, Az, but be on your guard. Gareth might be distracted but his son isn’t.”
Azriel’s attention focused on Mor and the reminder of Rhys had said—that Montessere’s court had run Mor out. Had a male done that? “Son?”
“Kai.” She spat the name like the filthiest of curses. “He’s spoiled and arrogant and bored, but that doesn’t mean isn’t sharp either. If you have to watch anyone, I would pick him.”
“Did he hurt you?”
Mor laughed, tipping her head back like he’d uttered the funniest joke. Azriel didn’t know what to make of that, though from the corner of his eye, he caught Emerie turn her head to look.
“No, he didn’t hurt me,” Mor said, her words so at odds with the bright smile on her face. “But I am well trained.”
Azriel glanced toward Gwyn, the warning clear. “Noted,” he murmured. “Anything else?”
“Treat it like Autumn Court,” she said, angling her head as she traced the column of her throat with an absent finger. “Our objectives were different. You aren’t going to make friends and they wouldn’t trust you even if you said you were.”
“Do I not look friendly?” Azriel asked. Mor smiled.
“No Az. You don’t look friendly at all. That’s what we like about you.”
Azriel couldn’t smother his smile. He hated that he liked that compliment.
But the whole night, all Azriel heard was Mor’s words. We like you.
We like you.
#gwynriel#we could have had sas but who am i to argue with the will of the people#i personally think chapter 4 is the most interesting one coming up#so we're closer to it than before yay!#the slow burn is burning
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Horrible idea hit me? pff
Warning: death, poisoning and Solomon just being Solomon but more darker this time? lol
Imagine Solomon is self aware his cooking could kill someone if unlucky enough...But what if he decides to take advantage of this one day...
Especially when he learns someone hurt his dear MC so much, it emotionally/mentally scarred them for life.
So he decides to make the best meal he can make for this person. Fit for a king you could say. Only this time, it looks perfectly normal and delicious.
After serving the person his cooking, stating this was to say thanks for being such a good friend to MC in the past. He leaves the room for a moment, lying about going to get some drinks. But stays by the door to wait for things to play out as he planned.
He'll start to hear the poor fool who dared to harm his adorable apprentice, now start to choke and struggle to breathe. Then fall out of their seat and struggle to move while suffering slowly yet painfully on the ground.
Solomon will soon come back into the room where the person now lays motionless and silent on the ground, they are still breathing but just barely. It's clear now they are already at death's door.
He'll look down at them with a fake frown and sigh. "Oh my...Was my cooking that GOOD that it's to DIE for? I guess I should feel honored." He'll chuckle, then lean down to get a better look at them, while a sinister smile is on his face.
"I'm sure you're wondering why this is happening?...Though I'm sure you can guess why. After all...I brought up MC didn't I?...I know what you did to them...Also count yourself lucky I was the one to learn of this first before the seven brothers learned of this news too. Else you wouldn't be taking a more less insufferable way out."
Solomon pauses for a moment, closing his eyes to think for a second. "Then again...Making you suffer more would be nice...But I know a human body can only take so much pain and torture until they finally give up and die. Which is why I chose this method to take care of you..."
He'll open his eyes again to look at the person, who was about to finally leave this life. "Though this won't be the last time we'll see each other I'm sure...At least I hope not...You see, if I heard things correctly. You attempted to make a deal with a demon before...which you believed to have failed. Though I got word it didn't..." At that moment, the person's eyes widen in fear at that news. "Your soul, is destined to go to a place I personally know very well...and that demon you made a deal with? Just so happens to be one I have a pact with. So you see, we'll be seeing each other again very soon."
Solomon closes his eyes again and sighs with a frown. "But I can't have you lurking around there while I know my sweet apprentice often resides there now. Which is why once I learn of your arrival there, which that demon has swore to me to make me aware of...or else...I'll be having a important meeting with the future king of that realm about you. To make him aware of how your presence there will upset MC very much...Which he'll understand and agree with right away I'm sure. For he too cherishes MC very much as well."
Solomon will realize the person stopped breathing now, and now was dead. "Ah...Seems I talked you to death. What a shame...Now...I need to dispose of this body. Luckily I know of a demon who should be able to help with this, who I'm sure is quite hungry right now..."
#;jester sheep speaks ☕️#obey me#obey me solomon#obey me imagine#solomon x mc#solomon x you#solomon x reader#solomon x y/n
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