#demon envoy
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The Magic Cudgel (2020) 定海神针
Director: Zhou Zhong
Starring: Nan Sheng / Jiang Zile
Country/Region of Production: Mainland China
Date: 2020-06-17 (Mainland China)
Duration: 68 minutes
Type: Reimagining
Summary:
Chaos brewed god iron, vertical as the pillars of heaven, horizontal can sweep heaven and earth, become bigger and broken mountains, shrink into dust, both ends are engraved with unknown characters, thousands of stars surround themselves, once awakened, the world will be shocked!
Where did the Ruyi Golden Cudgel go after Sun Wukong became a Buddha? One is that it was released back to the East China Sea by the Monkey King; the other is that the Buddha sealed him under Ruyi Peak because he was afraid of Monkey King's power to fight against Buddha.
Under the Ruyi Peak, there lived the "Ruyi Gate", a hidden sect of cultivating immortals, which has guarded the seals of the Three Realms for generations. The three envoys, Hou Li (God), Li Feiying (Human), and Yan Tiangang (Demon), are respectively in charge of the three seals of Vajra, Human King, and Emperor Teacher.
The Phaseless Demon Venerable sent two ghost-addicted demons to sneak into the world and attack the sealed gate on the night of the blood moon. The three siblingsjoined forces to use the "Three Seals Dafa" to urge the magic needle to suppress the seal. But at the last moment, Yan Tiangang became possessed and seriously injured Hou Li. Li Feiying sacrifices her spiritual power to help Hou Li cultivate. Hou Li finally breaks through the realm, wielding the Dinghai God Needle and defeats the Formless Demon. The door of the Demon Race to the human world is closed forever.
Source: http://chinesemov.com/2020/The-Magic-Cudgel.html
Link: https://nunuyingyuan.com/movie/97317
#The Magic Cudgel#定海神针#jttw media#jttw movie#jttw#movie#live action#reimagining#continuation#golden cudgel#complacent staff#complacent hoop rod#sun wukong#God Envoy#Human Envoy#demon envoy#little flower
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Lilith: Devil's Whisper
Designer's Reflection: Devil's Whisper
Obtained: Mysterious Portrait SSR gacha
Rarity: SSR
Attribute: Purple/Sexy
Awakened Suit: Reflection of Day
Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection
Chapter 1 - Eternal Beauty
Chapter 2 - Chosen One
Chapter 3 - Love and Devotion
Chapter 4 - The Only Deity
Story - summarized
Envoy Reza had devoted her entire life to a puritanical worship of the moon god, or the Only God. She prayed the longest, followed every rule, and led the other envoys in the holy rites. But the One God never showed her the eternal, purest beauty she prayed for.
One day, Queen Lilith visited the abbey. No one could focus on prayers while she was there - not even Envoy Reza. But Reza tried to brush this off as the others were momentarily weak. Lilith couldn't possibly be the most beautiful.
Sometimes Lilith would visit with other noble girls, including the 15-year-old Arwen, the duke's daughter. She was lively and youthful and beautiful... which unsettled Reza. Lilith came by and talked about revenge, wanting to hurt Arwen just for being pretty.
This triggered something inside of Reza: she had always done the right thing, followed every rule, yet it never seemed... enough. Why should Arwen be carefree and beautiful? What if Lilith was right?
Gradually, the envoy became obsessed over not being "God's Chosen One." The only one who offered her any sympathy or a path forward... was Lilith. Reza's faith twisted to see Lilith as a powerful god, one of beauty and demonic behavior.
With Lilith's encouragement, Envoy Reza marched to Arwen and called her a Chosen One, informing her to complete all tasks at the abbey. The girl sobbed as her life was taken from her and she was thrown into a joyless world of rules. But Reza had planned all this to make the girl less happy and less beautiful.
Without a shred of regret, Envoy Reza turned her attention to Lilith. Now the queen would be the Only God, and she would serve Lilith to any end.
Connections
-In the "Mysterious Portrait" event, an anonymous painter submitted the half-angel, half-demon portrait, with the caption "For my only god." This is Envoy Reza, who sees Lilith as equal parts angel and demon and worships her as a god. You also encounter her during the event.
-Much like in Voice of Desire, Lilith makes herself the most beautiful, desirable person by finding out what a person values most and then offering or becoming what they want. In this case, she played on Reza's insecurity as a "pure and faithful maiden" and gave her a twisted sense of worth and justice.
-Any connection to demons in the game is symbolized/depicted as skeletal. Nightbane started off as a black skeleton before he was granted a more human form; the Goddess of Desire has bone wings and a bone handle on her scythe; and now Lilith as both an angel and demon.
Fun Facts
-Arwen is also the name of the elf princess from Lord of the Rings. She was of unsurpassed beauty, and she fell in love with a human.
-The Reflection's religion seems to be like Christianity, with strict dogma, communion, having the Only God, and the envoys dressing in black (like nuns).
#lilith#shining nikki#designer's reflection#purple attribute#sexy#ssr designer#devil's whisper#angel#demon#temptation#religion#envoy#beauty#jealousy#chosen one#ninir#ninir kingdom
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Anonymous - Strawberry Crepe Yogurt Phantom layouts
Anonymous - Captain Ice icons
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Anonymous - Oyster's Envoy / Mussel icon
Anonymous - Red Velvet Cake Stylist icon
Anonymous - Squid Ink Aurora Dreams icon
@charlaywarlie - Pure Vanilla Pastel Blue icon
#cookie run#cookie run icons#crob#cookie run ovenbreak#crob icons#cookie run kingdom#cr kingdom#cookie run kingdom icons#demon's icons#oyster cookie's envoy#mussel cookie#red velvet cookie#squid ink cookie#pure vanilla cookie#lost and found
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'You doing alright?'
@demone-volpe
Lark wondered if she truly looked so crestfallen as she brooded over her drink. Her gaze shifted to the other and she gave a small nod.
" Oh, aye." she said. " Just...a little disagreement with my employer." She sighed inwardly. How does one have a disagreement with the Dream Lord when he thought his opinion was absolute? If nothing else, her pride hurt as she recalled the way she petulantly stormed off and came to the human realm for a drink.
" You know how bosses can be sometimes."
#demone volpe#. envoy of the fae ( sandman )#. letters wrapped in silver strings ( askbox )#. all things shall come ( queued replies )
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Ateez Masterlist - Discography Ver.
Basically ateez's tracklist but with the ffs linked! click on the song and you'll be led to the content which will have a detailed description + warnings of its own. enjoy <3 and special thanks to @eightmakesonebraincell for helping me out with the formatting! (PLAYS = word count, CREDITS = description).
P.S: for reactions, requests and headcanons, pls refer to the masterlist here <3
TREASURE EP.1: All to Zero
# Title
1 Intro: Long Journey
2 해적왕 (Pirate King)
3 Treasure
4 Twilight
5 Stay
YEOSANG (ft. princess!reader)
18,692 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where yeosang is an archer and he replaces your tutor and keeps your secret, joins you in finding some adventure in life and eventually, helps you find true love.
6 My Way
MINGI (ft. princess!reader)
18,619 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where mingi is your bodyguard and you, the princess, travel to the enemy nation to expose the schemes of your betrothed, risking your life when you can't hold back your feelings for your guard anymore.
TREASURE EP.2: ZERO TO ONE
# Title
1 HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)
MINGI (ft. human!reader)
26,976 PLAYS
CREDITS:
fantasy au where the shadow demon is cursed to share a body with mingi. mingi encounters you when you run away from home and you decide to stick with him. you start falling for both the demon and mingi but tragic consequences await you as you learn more about the curse.
2 Say My Name
3 Desire
4 Light
5 Promise
YUNHO (ft. princess!reader)
23,068 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where you, princess of eden, find yourself in an arranged marriage with prince yunho of wonderland and find your homelands at war with each other, making you wonder what will become of your marriage esp when you fall for him.
TREASURE EP.3: One To All
# Title
1 Utopia
2 Illusion
3 Crescent
SAN (ft. bodyguard/assassin!reader)
17,274 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal/fantasy au where san is the prince and you are hired to be his bodyguard and personal assassin as he travels to eden to uncover secrets and a possible betrayal.
4 Wave
MINGI (ft. teacher!reader)
7,881 PLAYS
CREDITS:
high school-ish au where you both are teachers and accompany students to a one week trip as per your suggestion, experiencing your own high school romance
5 Aurora
YUNHO (ft. spy!reader)
26,543 PLAYS
CREDITS
war au where you are a spy/cryptographer in the enemy nation and meet yunho, skilled strategist and cryptographer, win his favour to get on his team so you can eventually get to the medical research department to expose their plans, but fall in love with him in the process, fearing the day he'll learn your true identity.
6 Dancing Like Butterfly Wings
TREASURE EP.FIN: All To Action
# Title
1 Wonderland
2 Dazzling Light
YEOSANG (ft. human!reader)
26,709 PLAYS
CREDITS:
fantasy au where yeosang is an angel on his last mission and you, a mere human, messes his mission making him stay for longer than he'd like... until he starts actually liking it (and you) and finds himself in a life-threatening situation.
3 안개 (Mist)
SAN (ft. mediator!oc)
53,807 PLAYS
CREDITS:
supernatural au where the oc, seohyun, is a mediator- someone who can see and interact with the dead and helps them move on. she befriends san and together, they navigate through a journey of danger and thrill, heartbreak and love, and tragedy that drives them worlds apart.
4 Win
WOOYOUNG (ft. princess/assassin reader)
42,555 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where wooyoung is an envoy from utopia, also undercover, and finds out your identity. a secret shared, you try to prevent utopia from taking your homeland while he helps though you can't help but question his loyalty multiple times- even when you're falling for each other.
5 If Without You
WOOYOUNG (ft. reader)
14,449 PLAYS
CREDITS:
best friends to lovers au where your childhood friend wooyoung moves in with you as he adjusts to the city and you try to get used to his presence without revealing your romantic feelings for him.
6 친구 (THANK U)
7 Sunrise
SAN (ft. soldier!reader)
29,895 PLAYS
CREDITS:
you and san are majors in the special forces. you think the idea of romance while being in the military is stupid for a number of reasons, but san thinks otherwise and decides to prove his point, making you question your beliefs.
8 걸어가고 있어 (WITH U)
TREASURE EPILOGUE : Action To Answer
# Title
1 Answer
2 지평선 (Horizon)
SAN (ft. oc)
100,725 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal/fantasy au where san, faerie prince of earth, finds gaeul who came back from the dead as a part of a darkling's evil schemes, her magic now unnatural and dark. san realises he might be connected to gaeul in unimaginable ways, the bond they share serving as both their salvation and demise.
SPINOFF (TAKE ME HOME)
3 Star 1117
4 Precious
5 Outro: Long Journey
TREASURE EP. Map To Answer
# Title
1 Declaration
2 Better
YEOSANG (ft. reader)
9,302 PLAYS
CREDITS:
enemies to lovers au where you belong to rival gangs but find yourselves at the mercy of a common enemy and have no choice but to rely on each other and address your confusing feelings for each other.
ZERO : FEVER Part.1
# Title
1 Dear Diary: 2016.07.29
2 FEVER
3 THANXX
4 지평선춤을 춰 (TO THE BEAT)
5 INCEPTION
6 Good Lil Boy
WOOYOUNG (ft. princess!reader)
23,785 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where you meet prince wooyoung, your best friend and your worst enemy, at a retreat in another kingdom and you start to cross personal boundaries with each other in the name of bets, unable to keep your hands off each other.
7 One Day At A Time
YUNHO, SEONGHWA (ft. reader)
18,565 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal/war? au where seonghwa and yunho are both the king's trusted guards and best friends. you fell for seonghwa, married and had a daughter with him before losing him forever. later, you fall for yunho- a loving father to your daughter and a husband who gave you enough space and time to grieve and fall for him.
ZERO : FEVER Part.2
# Title
1 불놀이야 Fireworks (I’m the One)
HONGJOONG (ft. reader)
25,903 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where prince hongjoong holds a selection- 30 eligible candidates from the kingdom competing against each other, one of which would be his wife and the future princess. you're only a translator to one of the candidates but you catch his eye.
2 선도부 (The Leaders)
3 Time of Love
JONGHO (ft. reader)
19,800 PLAYS
CREDITS:
friends to lovers au where jongho is your brother's best friend (yeosang) and the three of you share a living space. you catch up with jongho and your feelings for him resurface with all their might.
4 Take Me Home
SEONGHWA (ft. oc)
155,416 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal/fantasy au where yena (oc) with a magical block on her memories goes on a journey to uncover her past, encountering the eight faerie princes and learning her identity and fighting against an evil scheme as she falls for prince seonghwa of dark, a love that transcends the boundaries of time, space and magic.
5 Celebrate
Into the A to Z
# Title
1 Still Here
Dreamers
# Title
1 Dreamers
2 Blue Summer
Season Songs
# Title
1 바다 보러 갈래? (Be My Lover)
2 여름날의 겨울동화 (White Love)
HONGJOONG (ft. fireprincess!reader)
24,832 PLAYS
CREDITS:
fantasy au where hongjoong is the ice prince and sets a neverending winter in the land and you, the fire princess, find him trapped. as you team up against the threats on your lives, you make unexpected friends and find love.
3 검은 고양이 네로 (The Black Cat Nero)
ZERO : FEVER Part.3
# Title
1 Eternal Sunshine
HONGJOONG (ft. reader)
23,393 PLAYS
CREDITS:
you and hongjoong meet on the train and instantly connect, becoming friends and more, but you're both plagued by a past that you can't remember, and when you start digging into it you realise that your pasts may be connected and the situation might be graver than you thought.
2 Feeling Like I Do
YUNHO (ft. reader)
4,671 PLAYS
CREDITS:
you and yunho have been best friends since forever and neighbours for a while, and you find it harder with each passing day to hide your feelings for him.
3 Deja Vu
SEONGHWA (ft. reader)
22,281 PLAYS
CREDITS:
past life/reincarnation au where seonghwa was hades and you were persephone and in the present, seonghwa is a detective and you are a florist and you meet during his case investigation, your encounters making you relive your memories from your past life.
4 ROCKY
5 All About You
6 Not Too Late (밤하늘)
ZERO : FEVER EPILOGUE
# Title
1 야간비행 (Turbulence)
2 Be With You
SEONGHWA (ft. spy/defector!reader)
23,593 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where you're a spy for the king but he tainted your name and imprisoned you in the enemy nation as a defector, imprisoning your sister as leverage. once you run, you encounter seonghwa- the king's right hand- save his life and use him to get to the castle, wondering if he'll still love you when he learns the truth.
3 The Letter
4 멋 (The Real) (흥 : 興 Heung Ver.)
5 Outro : Over the Horizon
Don't Stop
# Title
1 Don't Stop
BEYOND : ZERO
# Title
1 The King
THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT
# Title
1 Propaganda
2 Sector 1
3 Cyberpunk
JONGHO (ft. programmer!reader)
23,750 PLAYS
CREDITS:
you're a programmer in the eden droid project and you find your boyfriend jongho as the droid assigned for you to 'fix'- you wonder if it was just an awful conincidence. you run away with him so you can turn him back to human but it starts going wrong and you find yourself learning shocking truths as you make plans for the downfall of the project.
4 Guerrilla
YUNHO (ft. writer!reader)
27,902 PLAYS
CREDITS:
he's a doctor, part time serial killer/vigilante. you're a gore crime fiction writer. you move in with him despite the strict and strange rules and somehow, you both end up falling for each other amidst lies, secrets, past traumas and a detective who suspects you.
5 The Ring
6 WDIG (Where Do I Go)
JONGHO (ft. reader)
23,701 PLAYS
CREDITS:
royal au where jongho is hired as your bodyguard under your father's order bc you are a gossip-dealer who owns hotel crescent. with your father as your opposition when you support two different princes of two different nations at war, you wonder where jongho's loyalty lie.
7 New World
THE WORLD EP.PARADIGM
# Title
1 Intro: Siren
YEOSANG (ft. sirenhunter!reader)
27,894 PLAYS
CREDITS:
enemies to lovers au where yeosang is a siren and you're immune to a siren's call. while you help each other get your respective revenge and overcome a curse that starts turning you into a siren, you find that yeosang isn't the monster you thought all sirens to be.
2 Paradigm
3 Outro: Liberty
SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS
# Title
1 Halazia
2 Outro: Blue Bird
LIMITLESS
# Title
1 Limitless
SAN (ft. queen!reader)
28,912 PLAYS
CREDITS:
you're the princess of utopia, queen of eden by marriage to the king. for a whole year of marriage, you've taken his abuse but you're planning his downfall and you find an unexpected ally in the king's right hand choi san. he not only helps you plan but also shows you how it is like to be truly loved and wanted.
2 Diamond
#ateez x reader#hongjoong x reader#seonghwa x reader#yunho x reader#yeosang x reader#choi san x reader#mingi x reader#wooyoung x reader#jongho x reader#ateez fluff#ateez angst#ateez smut#ateez scenarios#ateez imagines#ateez headcanons#ateez au#ateez reactions#yumi.masterlist
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What about a yandere king x reader (make or female) and reader is basically a spy, making the king fall in love with them to get information etc, and reader basically tries to kill the king in his sleep but he lives cause he's a warrior at heart 💪(bbg energy lol) and basically what the king would do in that situation
An extremely cliche scenerio
Yandere! Male! King x Gn! Spy! Reader
Ugh Uni just started last week, and it was not... Fun.
One of our classes start at 7:30, and my Uni is like 30minutes-1hour far from my house so AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Anyways, there's no classes today so I got to actually write.
I got quickly uncomfortable writing this HAHAHAH damn. So, if noncon is not your tea, or you're looking for a fluffy fic, I suggest you don't read this one. I'm serious. This is not romantic in any way.
Yandere! King name: Soma
TW: NonCon
At Saphiri, there's a lot of Kingdoms and Sultanates, and a handful of Empires. One of the Kingdoms is called the Caelum Kingdom.
It's a newly established Kingdom, and was once a sizable city without a nation. Built from the foundations of a trading center.
It's a Kingdom formed on an archipelago separated by streams of salt water and fresh water in between their islands. A tight knit community, they thrive in tourism, trading, and textile export. They were honestly on a breakthrough to become an Empire, and it was just a matter of time.
Caelum has been led by the Elara family for generations upon generations. They were the first to discover the island, to establish itself as a city, and a kingdom as they led and oversaw the whole archipelago.
And currently, it's led by Soma Elara, the 3rd born crown prince and now the King of Caelum.
Soma, being the 3rd born, didn't really have that much chance on the throne. That, and his siblings, especially the first born, were smart and all had a chance at taking the throne.
He hated it dearly.
His mother, the second Queen after the previous died, is a greedy woman.
She sees Soma as a tool, and wanted him to succeed the throne.
If not... Let's just say the back of his legs will have more scars decorated on them.
Soma suffered abuse at the hand of his mother who wanted him to catch the attention of the King. And him, conditioned by his abusive upbringing, caught the want for power from his mother.
Ego and Pride. Those two prospects were pummeled into Soma's mind. Nobody can become the King. Only he is worthy of the throne.
So, he became the perfect prince. Nevermind that he orchestrated events in which it would humiliate his siblings. That's irrelevant. What's important is him.
The perfect gentleman with the wits of a genius, he became the crown prince when the selection came.
And, to solidify his place...
His older siblings were pronounced dead due to "freak accidents". One was devoured by sea monsters, the other was torn apart by demons. The younger ones were lucky, they only got to be a bit disabled due to "their own faults at being clumsy".
To not raise suspicion, of course Soma got hurt. Dead almost, but he miraculously recovered! How delightful!
The poor scapegoat is the youngest. And, as she got executed, Soma had a cold look of arrogance on his face.
The Queen?
She's afraid of the monster she created. She wanted a King, not a tyrant.
And, as she trembles when her friends tell her how good of a King her son is, Soma glares at her coldly from the balcony, daring her to speak ill of him.
Years passed, and Soma is now of marriageable age at 25.
His advisers told him to find a Queen, but he refuses to do so.
He's thinks having a Queen would make him look weak in the eyes of people.
So, why get a Queen when he can be an absolute Patriarch?
His Pride cannot allow for a potential weakness.
Not until a certain new person entered the palace as a stableperson...
Soma is welcoming foreign envoys to his palace, in which they would have a inter-country peace talks about a certain Emperor who is wreaking havoc amongst other kingdoms in search of a knight. They said that she was the supposed to be Empress, but fled the Empire.
Even one of the Dukes there, Duke Eros, is here to talk about the man.
As Soma guides the envoys to the palace grand meeting room, a certain servant caught his eyes.
They were frolicking with his horse, who was known to be too stubborn for its own good. Heck, this horse needs coaxing from Soma even just to let him ride on it.
But this stableperson was just... Hugging and petting his horse without any kind of violent reaction.
Honestly, Soma's ego was bruised.
His eyebrows furrowed as he led the envoys to the meeting hall once more.
He needs to know who this person is.
After quite the gruelling three hours of a collective disbelief over the actions of the Emperor Callisto, Soma got out of the meeting room and bid a good day to the envoys. Without any more distractions, he marched to the stables to find the person.
There, he saw you. Brushing the coat of his horse ever so gently and with a hum.
Oh he's annoyed.
Again, how can this pride filled horse just... Let's you be?
"State your name."
Your head, that was hidden due to being on the other side of the horse, popped out of the frame and he lets out a confused look.
You look so... Cute and innocent with those sparkling eyes that held so much affection for the horse in front of you.
"Oh! Your majesty!" You bowed. Even your voice sounds so sweet. "My name is Y/N. I'm not unworthy to meet you but..."
You looked up at him, eyes sparkling once more but now, with affection for him.
Oh?
"But I am so glad to meet you, your majesty."
Your voice held so much affection and love for him.
He cleared his throat, a bit awkward.
Sure, people admired him, but these people always held reverence and respect first. But here you are, projecting your affection like this.
His ego was fed immensly.
"You're bold." Soma smirked, "I like that."
He didn't miss the way your eyes widened subtly. Your face glowed with radiance of happiness that he was so sure he got blinded.
"Oh! Oh my..." You held your blushing cheeks, shy. "Thank you, your majesty... Um Oh..."
You bowed and ran away, fully embarrassed.
Soma, surprised, let his guard down a bit as he laughed gently at your antics.
You were like a deer that was curious, then runs away when get caught.
He liked that.
Immensly.
Yet, what he doesn't know, is that you were smirking as you ran away.
You knew that a prideful man like him wouldn't like a strong independent person.
That would just clash with his personality.
But, what if that person was cute, innocent, shy, friendly... Someone who is easily protect-able. Someone who loves them immensely and is shy about it?
It would inflate his ego wildly seeing this naive person love them without a care.
You're a spy sent by the Emperor Callisto in order to find his darling knight here. And, if you can't find her, you just need to send the Emperor information, so that he can infiltrate the Kingdom and wreck havoc just to lure out the knight.
Honestly, the Emperor scares you. Who's crazy enough to wage countless wars just to find his woman?
Or does he delight in bloodshed and finding his darling is just an excuse?
Who knows, but you knew you have to kill Soma after you extracted enough information from him to start the war inside the Kingdom.
Starting with capturing the heart of the Prideful King.
"Soma!"
You ran to Soma and hugged him tightly. A happy smile on your face with a blush well orchestrated that you know he loves.
Soma smiles and kisses the top of your head before continuing to talk to his Prime Minister.
In those two months that you were here, you painstakingly captured Soma in your hands. Continuing to act as the naive person who doesn't know noble etiquette, you were a breath of fresh air in the uptight palace.
The servants love you, the other nobles look longingly your way, wanting to act as carefree as you.
And Soma? He's head over heels for you.
Yet, in his mind, you were the one in love. Not him. He loves having you by his arms, with you just loving him affectionately and being there to relieve his stress.
You were promoted to consort immediately once you confessed to him fully, and was now a precious being inside the Kingdom.
After all, this King who doesn't want marriage, with ego so high people swore it was through the heavens, suddenly had a consort on their way to become his royal partner.
Soma gave you everything. He loves giving you gifts, asserting dominance as he spoils you greatly.
And, as his reward, you would pour your affection to him while asking about information that he willingly gave.
After all, the foolish king still thinks you won't betray him.
You were only a stableperson, who in their right mind would betray him? Someone who's such a catch?
Sure, he's really handsome. People were lining left and right for his hand in marriage after all. And he spoils you greatly. You won't betray him. He knows it.
But, why are you straddling his lap now, in the middle of the knight, with a knife raised up high?
You were staring at him so coldly, he swore you are a different person.
Anguish, that's what Soma felt first.
He wanted to ask you why, but anger immediately filled him as you swung the knife down.
You're fast, but not fast enough.
He grabbed your hand and gripped it hard, making you seethe and drop the knife hilt down on the bed.
"WHY?!" He screamed, trying to clutch your body to submission. "HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME!"
You gritted your teeth and tried to thrash away from his hold, not saying anything.
When he got you pinned down on the bed, he grabbed your chin and forced you to look at him.
"Who sent you." He chillingly said that you gulped and shakily answered.
"Emperor Callisto."
Soma stopped, eyes darkened to a degree.
Yet, the words that came out of his mouth was surprising for you.
"So, you're doing this for a man other than me?"
He threw his head back, laughing wildly as his pride got pummeled fully.
First, you made him dance on your palm. Make him spill information and secrets. Let him spoil you greatly. Let you love him freely! And this is how you pay him? A betrayal for another man?
You're such a greedy fucker.
"Oh, cuz he's an Emperor, isn't he?" He spat out, eyes wide with extreme jealousy and unbridled rage. His squeeze on your waist was hurting you immensely. "And i'm not? Is this it? Do you spread your legs to men of higher status huh?"
Your heart dropped when you saw him take off his dress shirt, displaying his carved out muscles that once brought you lust, but now it brought you fear.
Soma gripped your shirt, eyes dead with no light. His mouth a thin light as he captured your lips in a frenzied kiss.
He's no one with pride now. His ego gone.
The betrayal made him crazy as you made him crazy for you.
Placing a palm on your abdomen, he smirks. An evil intent on his eye.
"I'm gonna fuck/breed you into submission." He growls out, grinding his hips against yours. "I'm gonna make you forget the Emperor. I only want you to only live for me, sing and dance for me, I want you to only love me."
And as he relishes in the fear in your eyes, he smirks.
You're his.
And he will break you into being his if you try to get out of his clutches at all.
Remember that.
#lizzaneiaelizalde#yandere writing#yandere imagines#yandere boyfriend#yandere male#male yandere x reader#tw yandere#yandere x darling#yandere x you#yandere fic
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Hello! Hope you're having a good day/night/afternoon. Also can I request a Mikaela Hyakuya, Ferid Bathory and Yuichiro Hyakuya x nezuko reader, the reader has nezuko's powers and is basically nezuko. And they see their s/o (nezuko reader) fighting someone for the first time and when the reader was fighting with the person she awakes her full form like nezuko did when she was fighting Daki and she is basically destroying the person she is fighting with, how would they reacted? (Btw you can pick who the reader is fighting with)
That is all thank you <3
Nezuko Reader | Yandere Owari No Seraph
Landing in this apocalyptic and futuristic world with your sibling, there's much to learn. Depending on who you both fall into the hands of it’s a different experience. Immediately your difference from those around you is seen and usually greatly admired. Hence their further surprise when you show a side they’d never seen before:
Yuichiro Hyakuya
Saving your sibling on patrol is where they first meet
Of course, the box they carry is a great point of mystery
One that’s revealed when the sun has gone down and they're safely at the base
“Whoa! You carry your family on your back? Like all the time?”
“Yeah! This way I can always protect them.”
“That’s a really great idea! I want to try it sometime.”
He definitely feels close to you and your sibling
Absolutely loving the bond you two have
Adoring your playful but silent nature
So more likely than not you’ll find himself inserting himself into your sibling's time
Not necessarily to offer himself as a brother particularly but as a part of the family
As he plans to be anyway
Fighting alongside your katana-wielding sibling he finds they work pretty well together
But this particular adversary is especially hard to beat, taking advantage of the night the whole team is struggling
At this point, Yuu is debating calling on Asura but is stopped by his amazement
You look different, no longer childish or pocket-sized
Now he believes your sibling’s description of you as a demon
He watches with envy when your brother has to calm you down
He vows that next time he’ll be the first to soothe your soul
“(Y/n) you’re so sweet so kind…I’m happy to make you a part of my family.”
Mikaela Hyakuya
He probably meets your sibling first when he’s called on a mission to investigate an anomaly on their turf
Put off by his….partner’s aggressive tone and command your sibling is adamant about not causing trouble
But his….partner…gross seems to hit a sore spot when they demand they open the box
The sun is setting and your sibling is putting up a fairly good fight
But poor humans..,all it takes is one hit and debilitating crunch and their down
But the moon is high and the box opens to reveal you
A demon that easily bests their calvary and gives his partner a run for his money
It takes his common sense to threaten your sibling’s life before you halt your massacre
Once you're in custody he shows an express interest in your case
Promising to himself and you that he’d protect your sibling
“Your brother…reminds me of someone else I know. Someone I’m looking for.”
He sees himself in you, turned into something against your will and trying to survive in a world that demands you succumb to your horrid instincts
When he makes a break for it he’s taking you both with him
Once he finds his Yuu then you both can go far far away
So that you both can be monsters away from this horrible world
Even if you struggle and swipe at him
He’s going to help you
He’s going to do this
Your agreement isn’t needed
He’s used to dealing with a rowdy troublemaker
This is no obstacle to him
“Calm down. When I’m done you’ll get your sibling back and that’s all that matters right? Then you will listen to me. And only me.”
Ferid Bathory
A part of the welcoming envoy that comes off too aggressively
A different-smelling human with a box on their back of course he’s interested
Even more so when they fight him upon questioning about that box
Only to find he’s completely at a disadvantage with the animalistic rage that you come out with
“Oh my, to think I thought I knew only one vampire with a sibling complex.”
He is intent on taming you constantly trying to force you to drink human blood or better yet eat human
But you won’t cave
But neither will he
With your sibling in custody and you at his disposal
He feels as though no one can stop him
After all, it worked out the first time he broke a family up
He doubts it wouldn’t work now
He just hopes you don’t freak out like you did before
That was scary it slows progress
“When you finally let go and succumb to your hunger I’ll be there.”
#yandere x reader#yandere x you#lovelyyandereaddictionpoint#yanderexrea#yandere#yanderes#yandere harem#yandere owari no seraph#yandere seraph of the end#yandere ons#yandere yuichiro hyakuya#yandere yuichiro#yandere mikaela hyakuya x reader#yandere mikaela#yandere ferid bathory#yandere ferid#yandere yuichiro hyakuya x reader#yandere ferid bathory x reader#yandere seraph of the end x reader#yandere owari no seraph x reader
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Being Lucifer’s Daughter and Dating Morpheus Would Include
Pairing: Morpheus x Fem!Morningstar!Reader
Warnings: None
Notes: I chose Morpheus to do this one with because the Corinthian is gay (which is heartbreaking for my sister who loves him).
Edit: I’ve just been informed by the amazing @fangirlfreakingout that the TV version of the Corinthian is Pansexual. Victory!
Requested by: @rachelcarroll1819
Lucifer was absolutely furious after finding out about your relationship
“Him?” The ruler of hell hissed, staring down at you, stunning, regal, and sweetly terrifying.
But you just stared right back, nodding. Not bothering with any defiance in your tone, it wasn’t like Lucifer could do anything to choose who you loved. “Yes, him.”
As Lucifer’s daughter, you were quite used to getting your own way and being important
That was part of the reason that you began to be interested in Morpheus. He was polite to you, treated you with respect, but he didn’t fall over himself for your approval like all the demons you had grown up around.
The first time you had met, when he was an envoy from his kingdom, you thought he was gorgeous.
And while he didn’t tell you, he thought the exact same thing about you
You were intrigued by his commanding presence, his unshakeably calm diplomacy
But soon after that, he was trapped in his cage and you didn’t see him for a century.
You would think about him sometimes, a little worried about his realm. You wanted to go look for him, but Lucifer told you that you would like locked up if you dared to.
When you saw him again as he battled for his helm, you were pleasantly surprised to see him again.
After the fight, you went up to him. He expected some conflict or anger from you, but instead you smiled at him.
“I applaud your strength. You should me proud, Morpheus.” You told him. “I was impressed.”
Dream seemed surprised at your words, but smiled at you. “I’m glad, (Y/N). Thank you. Your kind words mean very much to me.” You were surprised to see how nice of a smile he had.
You saw him more after that. Leaving Hell to visit him in the dreaming, and eventually it lead to a relationship
He was very devoted partner. Although he was a somewhat closed-off person, Morpheus was surprisingly loving.
He was gentle with you, and honest. You weren’t used to honesty after a lifetime in hell, but it was a lovely change
You were a definite power couple™️, respected by all of the Dreaming and feared by Hell
He showed you around the Dreaming, letting you see all the beauty in his realm. As you stared around the land in wonder, he was looking at you with similar wonder
A part of him expected the relationship to quickly grow sour, thinking back to the terrible ending to his past relationships.
But the longer you were together, the more love and trust you both felt. You understood each other, understood your duties and habits. You both had flaws, but those flaws were forgiven every day.
Whenever he would have a bad day, or was angry about something, he would storm into your room. Your presence called him, and he would hold you in bed, running his fingers through your hand and tell you what was wrong.
You were always willing to help him, to listen and offer advice. Just like he would do for you
You helped each other improve, and inspired each other to be the best you could possibly be
Every day was a pleasant surprise, knowing that he was by your side
#the sandman x reader#the sandman#lucifer morningstar#Lucifer Morningstar x reader#morpheus#morpheus x reader#dream of the endless x reader#dream of the endless#dream#dream x reader#dream of the endless Headcanons#Morpheus Headcanons#the sandman Headcanons#sandman x reader#sandman#my fics#my headcanons
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Nephalem
Probably more fallen angelish than nephalem since I didn't play up the demonic half as much.
Head: Rinascita Hood of Striking - peacock blue
Body: Ascension Cloak of Striking - peacock blue
Hands: Augmented Lunar Envoy's Gloves of Striking - peacock blue
Legs: Warg Sarouel of Striking - default
Feet: Bonewicca WIldling's Greaves - gunmetal black
Earring: The Emperor's New Earrings
Neck: The Emperor's New Necklace
Wrists: The Emperor's New Bracelet
Right Ring: The Emperor's New Ring
Left Ring: The Emperor's New Ring
Main Hand: Moonward Bladed Tonfa - rhotano blue
Off Hand: --
Alt Main Hand: Augmented Lunar Envoy's Blade - peacock blue
Fashion Accessory: Fallen Angel Wings
Minion: --
Location: The Aetherfont
Shader: Faeberry Bloom
#ffxiv#ffxiv glamour#ffxiv au ra#ffxiv monk#eorzea collection#valkariel ilmarë#au ra#raen#monk#striking melee#blues/indigos#golds/yellows#darks/blacks/greys#no mogstation items#no seasonal items#fantasy glamour#battle glamour#divine glamour
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20 Questions for Fic Writers
I was tagged by @7-percent, @totallysilvergirl and @gaylilsherlock. Thank you!
1. How many works do you have on AO3?
147. I’ve been here nearly 6 years, some years more prolific than others.
2. What's your total A03 word count?
Right now, just shy of 2M: 1,937,496, to be exact
3. What fandoms do you write for?
BBC Sherlock and ACD Sherlock
4. What are your top five fics by kudos?
Synchronicity
Date Night
A Chronic Condition
The Wedding Gift
Blank Slate
Wooing Sherlock Holmes has recently moved up and is close enough to nudge its way to number 5.
5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?
Always, even if it’s just to say thank you. I appreciate comments, often feel humbled by the compliments people give. It just feels right to respond. (Maybe if I were getting hundreds of comments a day, I would have to rethink that.)
6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?
Either Below Zero or The New Gardener. Both have MCD, but sort of a soft landing. Also Learning the Heart and The Real You, but those also have endings that mitigate the angst, a bit.
7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?
I write a lot of happy endings; it’s my preferred resolution.
My choice: The Short Tragic Death of John Watson. John does NOT die, but there’s a very cheesy happy ending that made many readers scream.
8. Do you get hate on fics?
No. A couple rude comments, but no intentional hatred.
9. Do you write smut?
Not much. I don’t write PWP, but include a sex scene where the plot seems to need it. I'm not opposed; it's just not my usual.
10. Do you write crossovers?
I’ve written two GO/Sherlock stories: Limbo and Hell and Back.
I’ve written stories that borrow from other fandoms, but are not exactly crossovers. The closest to a crossover would be Serendipity, which borrows plot from the movie.
I’ve borrowed from movie and book universes to make an original story (Eye of the Storm, A Chamber to be Haunted, Do No Harm), and I’ve borrowed premises (The Real You)
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?
Not to my knowledge.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated?
About 60 of my fics have been translated, most of them into Russian, a couple into Chinese, on into Spanish.
13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?
No.
14. What's your all-time favourite ship?
Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?
The Secret of Agra: a post-Reichenbach fic that I started in 2020. It has been through several transformations. I rarely give up permanently on a story, though. A few have grown into something new that I ended up posting. I expect I'll finish this when inspiration strikes me.
16. What are your writing strengths?
The things readers most often compliment me on:
Character voice and emotions.
World building.
Versatility: historical fiction, case fics, science fiction, fantasy, rom-coms, etc.
Making readers cry.
17. What are your writing weaknesses?
Action scenes. In Greek tragedy you simply have a character enter and describe the murder that’s just occurred offstage. In fanfiction, that’s a nope. And you have to think out every move, make the scene visual. I admire writers who make this seem effortless. (That's you, @discordantwords !!!)
Description: finding non-cliche ways to describe things/people without making it weird and overly fussy.
Being too minimal: I am not a wordy writer; minimalism was how I was taught, but sometimes I need to be wordier.
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?
I’ve done bits of this, but only in languages I’ve studied. I have a degree in Latin, and have used that in couple stories: A Demon's Tale, Accidental Magic.
19. First fandom you wrote for?
The first and only fandom I’ve posted in is Sherlock Holmes (ACD and BBC). I don’t have any plans to move. I used to write original fiction, but have found fanfiction so much more rewarding.
20. Favourite fic you've ever written?
This is hard to answer. Last Envoy is the story I’m most proud of.
I write the stories I want to read, and I do re-read a number of them, some more than others. My favorite fic written in 2023 is The Traveller.
Has everybody been tagged? How about @mydogwatson @lisbeth-kk @discordantwords @copperplatebeech @keirgreeneyes @meetinginsamarra @bertytravelsfar @jrow @thegildedbee @helloliriels @gregorovitchworld ???
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Chapter 4: The Only Deity
Narrated by Envoy Reza.
Narrator: One day, I visited the Queen's palace, where there were even more butterflies.
Narrator: I walked up to her in the garden...
Envoy: Please follow God's will, Miss Arwen.
Narrator: The 15-year-old lass paused and then laughed. She didn't understand me.
Envoy: As decreed by God, you're a maiden to serve him for the rest of your life.
Narrator: Arwen's smile faded after I was done saying those words.
Narrator: She turned pale. However, the silence meant no one dared to defy God.
Narrator: She cried as her gorgeous dress was ripped off her, her golden blonde hair stuffed into a black envoy cap.
Envoy: Those chosen by God are obligated to dedicate their whole life.
Narrator: Shouldn't that be the case, always?
Choose either "Why are you doing this?" or "Which one is your god?"
If "why," ...
You: Why did you make Arwen an envoy...?
Envoy: She was blessed by God. Shouldn't she repay with devotion?
If "which," ...
You: Which God do you follow now?
Narrator: There's but one god to me.
--
Narrator: I met with the Queen before returning to the abbey.
Narrator: Queen Lilith lay stretched out on a red velvet sofa with a cherry in her mouth.
Narrator: But the cherry was far less enchanting than her delicate red lips.
Narrator: Her mouth trembled a little, like she would offer me a new epiphany at any time.
Narrator: Different from the morning prayer that one day, I was facing the real Lilith.
Narrator: Her face belonged to a devil, her words to the darkness.
Narrator: Yet she was always the sweetest, always the most gentle.
Narrator: She's the demon, and my angel.
Narrator: I suddenly realized the truth behind her mocking grin at the morning prayer.
Narrator: She felt sorry for me because my devotion was misplaced.
Narrator: Now, I should follow the will of the real god.
Narrator: I clasped my hands, knelt before her, and prayed.
Envoy: My angel, my only god...
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
#lilith#shining nikki#chapter 4#the only deity#transcript#ssr designer#ninir#ninir kingdom#angel#devil#demon#darkness#cruelty#envoy#blasphemy#butterfly#clipped wings
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Here is my contribution for today’s prompt for @fe-oc-week ! Oct 11 - Backstory
Today I will be providing more context about Kitt's life before Garreg Mach!
(cw: blood, death, injury, body horror)
Below the read more is more lore! :3
The Village at Lake Annwen - Part I
Deep within the mountain wilderness lie the ruins of an ancient city not unlike Zanado. Here, the villagers of Annwen venerated Gwyn - the Unsung Hero - honoring their life and deeds through unique traditions passed down with each generation. In particular, the villagers safeguarded unique stones said to bear ancient magic. Each villager, when they were near adulthood, would endure a series of trials testing their bravery, skill, and conviction in order to inherit their own stone. The most prized of these stones was the Heart of Annwen, from which all stones of its kind originate. It was said to have been left behind when Gwyn entered their final rest. The youngest and last-known bearer of this stone was Kitt Burgess, who passed all their trials with success heretofore unseen.
Like their predecessors, Kitt was responsible for protecting the stone with their very life, and was provided secret tutelage on how the Heart of Annwen may be used. The most forbidden knowledge of all was the Rite of Awakening, in which the stone may be used to call forth Gwyn from their endless sleep. Though this would supposedly allow the hero of legend to return to life, such a course of action would have irreversible consequences for the villagers of Annwen.
By invoking the ritual, whoever carried the Heart of Annwen would serve as Gwyn's corporeal vessel. Those who carried its fragments close to their hearts would be offered up in sacrifice and reborn as Gwyn's retinue of warriors. And so, such a ritual was to only be used in desperate circumstances, when the village faced no chance of salvation and Gwyn was needed to avenge their people and protect the outside world from greater disaster.
Though the story of Gwyn and the former ancient city of Annwen is not widely known across Fodlan, the village received occasional visitors in the form of traveling merchants, pilgrims, and scholars who wished learn more of Gwyn, one of the more obscure figures in Fodlan's ancient history. In recent years, an envoy of mages began to make frequent visits to Annwen, dressed in dark cloaks and claiming to be affiliated with the Church of Seiros. Not long after, the disaster of Annwen unfolded…
Today, there is nothing left of the village - save for corpses and monsters among burnt buildings. Only Kitt emerged as the sole survivor, a familiar red stone embedded in their neck, and a knife clutched in their hands. The Church of Seiros conducted an investigation, but failed to determine the exactly what had transpired. At the desecrated site of Gwyn's final resting place, near the ruined village of Annwen, there is evidence that a ritual did in fact take place. But if it was indeed the Rite of Awakening, then something must have gone horribly awry - for the villagers have all transformed into Demonic Beasts… and the hero Gwyn is nowhere to be found.
The Capricious One - Part II
The Capricious One lived in a time when the humanity began to turn jealous eyes upon the Children of the Goddess. Hoping to instill a sense of purpose in their wayward child, The Progenitor God sent The Capricious One to barter peace and diplomacy with the Agarthans when the first sparks of conflict appeared.
Instead, The Capricious One began to spy upon their own brethren in earnest for the benefit of the Agarthans, revealing the secrets of the Nabatean people and their physiology.
What was the reason for this?
Some say they held a grudge against their own family for past slights.
Some say they desired a fair fight between the Nabateans and the Agarthans, fearing that the humans were far outmatched and in danger of being annihilated.
In any case, the Capricious One was genuinely invested in helping mankind advance their craft and innovation. They offered their scales and blood to the Agarthans, which would be used to fashion the first prototype Umbral Steel weapons - early predecessors of the Heroes' Relics.
Their contributions were enough to shift the tides of war, causing the conflict to escalate greatly. Soldiers wielding magical weapons of unknown make began to appear, sending the Nabateans on the backfoot and causing widespread destruction throughout the land. The Children of the Goddess whispered of a fearsome Agarthan warrior who shadowed their every step and harried them at every turn like a demon who knew their weaknesses, laughing and reveling at the violence that tore the beloved land apart.
The Umbral Weapons looted from the fallen Agarthan soldiers were brought to Sothis herself and examined more closely. It was then that the treachery of the Capricious One was finally exposed. They were the one responsible for these horrid new weapons, and they were the true identity of the Agarthan warrior who took joy in tormenting the Nabatean people.
Confronted by their brethren, the Capricious One prepared to explain themselves. But what the Immaculate One did next ensured that they would speak not one word more.
(to be continued…)
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CS AU: The Law of Surprise (3/3)
Summary: The Law of Surprise: a custom as old as humanity itself. The Law dictates that a man saved by another is expected to offer to his savior a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties. In most cases, the boon takes the form of the saved man's firstborn child, conceived or born without the father's knowledge.
A/N: This is NOT a Witcher AU. The idea for this fic WAS inspired by the show, however. I’m not sure if the Law of Surprise was a show/game creation or if it existed before. Regardless, this fic is my spin on the concept and will be posted in three parts.
Much love and thanks to the @cssns mods for keeping this event going year after year! A HUGE shout out to my artist @eastwesthomeisbest for the AMAZING pieces she made to accompany my fic. Go give her ALL the flails! Finally, all the hot chocolate, rum, and grilled cheese sandwiches for my amazing betas @ultraluckycatnd and @kmomof4. LOVE YOU LADIES TO BITS!
Rated T / Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me!
Part One | Part Two
Part Three
The castle was brimming with life and gaiety. Orchestral sounds spilled over the balconies and light seeped from every window, illuminating the stone walls and bathing the gardens in an exuberant glow. If he’d had to guess, Hook would estimate the overflow from the ballroom to be in the hundreds as he made his way through the crush of courtiers, adorned in their finery as they eagerly awaited to be announced.
Dukes and earls. Ambassadors and emissaries. Military leaders and loyal sycophants. The creme de la creme of Misthaven and her allied kingdoms were all in attendance - all who had received a royal summons, that is. Hook had witnessed a number of people being turned away at the gate when they had failed to produce the invitation. The exquisitely designed edict with its filigree and gilded letters announcing the event of the century:
The Formal Betrothal Ceremony and Ball between Her Royal Highness Princess Emma of Misthaven and His Royal Highness Prince Neal, Son and Heir of the Dark One.
Not that Hook had received one himself, of course; their Majesties had learned their lesson the last time they’d attempted to share blessed news and an invitation with him. Pan had been serious when he’d meant no interference, though they had underestimated what the evil bastard considered as such until he’d enticed most of the Misthaven male youths away from their beds and nearly to their deaths over one of the kingdom’s cliffs, because the sovereigns had dared to have an envoy deliver him news of the arrival of their second child - a son. When David and Hook had confronted Pan before he could lure the boys to their deaths, the demon brat had made it clear that any communication, any interaction, any attempts to maintain or strengthen relationships between Misthaven and “his pirate” would be seen as a breach of contract and met with severe penalties. After that, Hook had once again kept his distance from Misthaven, and Misthaven had kept its distance from him. So, naturally, Hook did not fault them for failing to send him an invite to tonight’s festivities. They could not possibly have known that circumstances were different now.
A fact Tink kept nagging on about these past few months.
Months they had spent attempting to set things right in the wake of Neverland’s liberation. Months they had spent establishing authority and restoring order while dealing with uprisings from those still loyal to Pan. Months Hook had spent ferrying those who had wished to return to their homes, not knowing if one even still existed for them, as he warred with himself over the prospect of returning to his own.
It had been the news of Emma’s betrothal that had started the quarrel with Tink up again. Enjoying a pint in a dark corner of anonymity whilst patroning a tavern in Glowerhaven, they’d heard the toasts and cheers go up wishing the princess and “her prince” well. The Dark One’s son wasn’t truly royalty, of course, but none were fool enough to challenge the title.
While the other patrons had reveled in the news of the betrothal, their spirits high from the glee of gossip and tankards of toasts, Hook had sat with a weighty stone of despondency in his belly even as he’d tried to muster up some semblance of jubilation over the news.
“You must go to Misthaven,” Tink urged. “You have to tell them. Tell her. You can’t let her enter a betrothal or get married without--”
“Do you think I would interfere in her life now?” Hook replied through grit teeth. “Burden her with this… with me, when she has finally found happiness?”
“How do you know it is true happiness she has found? The Law of Surprise entrusted her to you. Gave you the responsibility and privilege of her destiny. You cannot sit by and allow her to--”
“To what?” Hook snapped. “To decide for herself? To pursue a destiny she has chosen? To fall in love and follow her heart while making alliances that will strengthen her kingdom and secure her reign? I am not her lord and master, nor am I her overseer.”
“No. You are not,” Tink said softly. “But you are fated to her. Bonded to her through the Law. Connected in a way she isn’t even aware of, because you haven’t allowed her to know. You owe her the truth before she establishes new bonds with another.”
Hook scoffed, but tapped the ring on his thumb against his tankard as he considered her words.
“At the very least,” Tink continued, “go see her. Before she is whisked off to the Dark Realm to prepare for her new life as Neal’s wife and future Queen of the Dark One’s subjects, go meet her. Make sure it is for love that she has chosen this path, and not out of a sense of duty or obligation. Slake your curiosity of who she has become and give yourself the peace of knowing that in spite of everything, she turned out well.” Hardening her gaze, she added, “And for the sake of all the gods, stop being a coward and go face your brother.”
He hated when the infernal fairy was right.
It was cowardice that had kept him from returning. Fear of having to divulge all he’d done in order to achieve his freedom, the lengths he’d had to go to and the ways in which he’d made Pan believe he’d broken him before finally being able to…
Afraid that there was no longer a place for him among society. Terrified over the prospect that, despite Neverland’s magic and the way it had kept him youthful, his life had already passed him by. Petrified to face the girl he’d been meant to watch over, daunted by the uncertainty of how she might react if he ever managed to work up the nerve to tell her the truth about him, about the Law of Surprise, about the fate’s design that had bonded them to one another before she was even born.
Tink had been right, though. He could not give in to cowardice, so he’d commissioned a new waistcoat and duster, one befitting a gentleman pirate paying court, and made port in Misthaven the evening of his princess’ betrothal ball. His lack of an invitation was no issue with the guards at the gate, he’d merely flashed them his hook and they’d allowed him entry, certifying that the king’s pardon of Hook’s crimes and promises of sanctuary within Misthaven still stood. Though Hook did feel it prudent to tuck his left arm behind his back, beneath his quilted, leather coat whilst in the receiving line, lest one of the guests glimpse it and start a fuss.
He wasn’t sure if it was the maddening wait, the stifling corridor, or the crowd of plumed and perfumed guests that began to grate on his nerves, spiking his anxiety and forcing him to withdraw from the ballroom hall. All he knew was that he’d suddenly found himself in a dark and isolated alcove around the corner from the crush, attempting to steady his breathing while muttering curses at himself for falling apart over something as simple as queuing for a ball.
“Is everything alright, good sir?”
Hook spun around, once more tucking his hook behind his back while his hand swept through his hair in an attempt to straighten his appearance. He stood in stupified silence for several skips of his heartbeat, too stunned by the gorgeous woman before him, until he finally cleared his throat and found his voice.
“Aye, lass,” he replied, unable to keep some of the awe out of his tone. “No need to concern yourself with me.”
The woman, young, blonde, with a slender form that did not fail to fill out the curves of her gown while demonstrating the strength he could detect beneath her proper posture, cocked her head to one side, her seaglass eyes narrowing at him even as a smile slightly tugged at the corners of her exquisite lips, rebutted, “A man hiding away in the shadows is a bit concerning, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I suppose so,” Hook conceded with a slight chuckle. Taking a step forward so she could get a better look at him, his smile broadened when her eyes widened and swept over his form with similar interest. “Truth be told,” he continued in a low timbre, “I am rather out of practice in the rules of court. It has been many years since I’ve attended a royal ball.”
Eyes snapping back up to his, she schooled her features and lifted her chin. “Have you not escorted someone to attend with you? Have you no one whose company you can rely on?”
Hook sighed wistfully. “My brother is here,” he said, attempting to keep all sense of melancholy or apprehension from his tone, “but I have not seen him in many years. My presence may come as something of a shock, and I do not wish to cast a pall on the evening. I would never wish to tarnish the memory of it for the princess.”
“The princess?” she parroted, her brows arching and achieving heights that nearly matched her voice. “You hold her in high regard then?”
“Aye. Very much.” Thoughts of his Emma, and the maelstrom of emotions they brought with them, made his voice constrict in his throat, making his next words a bit strained. “Though, I have not had the pleasure of her acquaintance since she was a child.”
The woman’s expression shifted, becoming pensive, almost far away, but as quickly as they had taken hold of her features, she shook off whatever thoughts she’d been contemplating. “Well, I highly doubt anything you do could tarnish this night for her.”
“I appreciate that vote of confidence, love.” Killian scratched behind his ear, his hips swinging with another swaggering step forward as he pressed a little too closely for decorum’s liking into her personal space. “I don’t suppose, once I’ve mustered up the courage to make my way into the ballroom, you would consider bestowing me the pleasure of a waltz?”
The corners of the woman’s lips tipped up again, and Hook wondered what it would take to encourage a full smile from her. Not that it mattered. He’d already accepted the challenge.
“Would such a consideration give you the necessary encouragement to face your brother and the court?” she asked.
Boldly, he took her hand and ran his thumb over the backs of her knuckles, murmuring, “Such consideration would give me the encouragement to do a great many things, Miss…”
Her lips parted, the response of her name on the tip of her tongue, when an attendant rounded the corner and jolted them apart with her exclamations. “Your Highness! I have been looking everywhere for you!”
Hook whipped his head from the attendant back to the woman who had snatched her hand from his and taken several steps back.
“Your Highness?” he said incredulously. “As in Her Royal Highness? Princess Emma?”
“I… I,” she stuttered. “I’m sorry, I must…”
“Excuse us, my lord,” the attendant said, encouraging her charge away from the alcove and towards the hallways that led to the royal entrance at the back of the ballroom.
Hook watched her depart, stunned by the realization that the woman with whom he’d been conversing - and was now rather taken with - was none other than the princess. His princess. His Emma. His Child of Surprise who was no longer a child.
He’d known that already of course, that she was no longer a child. More than ten years had passed since he’d last seen her, but as she was escorted down the hallway, briefly taking the opportunity to glance at him over her shoulder with an apologetic smile and a glimmer of attraction in her eyes, the reality of those years hit him full force. His princess was no longer a child, and once the betrothal ceremony was complete, she would no longer be his.
Forgoing the queue, Hook forced his way into the ballroom without being announced and found himself a vantage point where he could observe without taking on much notice. A resurgence of duty and responsibility filled him. He wanted to - no, needed to - weigh the measure of the man his princess was about to bind herself to in betrothal. Needed to know he was worthy of her.
Although, he was quite certain no man ever would be.
As the ballroom began to fill, his vantage point proved to be less than ideal. Unable to clearly see the dais, he started to shuffle his way through the throng as the prince and his father were announced, followed swiftly by Their Majesties and Princess Emma.
He was halfway across the room when the ceremony began, and the heavy weight of regret, knowing he was too late to do anything, pressed down upon him, keeping him rooted to his spot. His heart twisted painfully in his chest. He was about to lose her forever without having the chance to truly know her. He was a fool for wasting these past few months. A damned fool. All he could do now was watch as the prince and princess recited their vows while a fairy wove the betrothal bonds around them with her wand.
His heartache was quickly forgotten, however, when the final binding spell failed, leaving the betrothal void and eliciting a collective gasp from those assembled.
“I… I don’t understand,” the fairy stammered. “The magic should have worked. I… I don’t know what--”
“Clearly, you did something wrong, dearie,” the Dark One accused as he took a threatening step towards the young fairy.
“No,” Emma stated, stepping between her would-be father-in-law and the scared-out-of-her-wits fairy. “She didn’t. The magic failed to bind us, because…” Turning her attention back towards her would-be groom, Emma declared, “as I have told you numerous times, I have no intentions of marrying you. I don’t care about the deal our fathers made in order to end the war. My heart will never be yours, therefore no vows I make to love you will ever be true.”
Chaotic murmurs erupted throughout the ballroom, but Hook kept his focus on the dais.
“That matters not!” the Dark One shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Emma which made Hook’s hand itch for the hilt of his sword, unfortunately left behind on his ship. “Your feelings have no bearing and are not enough to void the betrothal spell.” Casting his ire upon King David and Queen Snow, he demanded, “Explain yourselves! We made a deal! You agreed to this betrothal on your daughter’s behalf. It is your word and your authority over her that binds that agreement, so why did it fail?”
Hook sucked in a startled breath. He knew why.
“I think I can answer that, and settle this matter,” he called out, causing all eyes to fall on him.
“And who might you be?” Prince Neal demanded.
“Captain Killian Jones,” he proclaimed, stepping forward as the crowd parted. “Though some have taken to calling me by my more colorful moniker.” Raising his left arm, he displayed his hook and a hysteria of murmurs further erupted amongst the crowd that was now cowering away from him.
David and Snow’s mouths dropped open and Liam, who had been standing by off to the side of the dais, rushed forward and took his place next to his sovereigns, a look of complete elation and shock coloring his aged face. The fairy fled, leaving Emma, Prince Neal, and the Dark One alone at the center of the raised platform, each of them staring at him with a variety of expressions.
“Hook!” Prince Neal exclaimed, before catching the eye of the many guards stationed along the walls. “Seize him!”
When none of the guards acquiesced to the command, an incensed and clearly alarmed Prince Neal sputtered, “W-Why are you all just s-standing there! Arrest him!”
“Oh, you must not be aware,” Hook said, swaggering his way towards the dais and stopping short of its steps. “You see, I have pardon in this land.”
Turning his incredulity and ire towards the King, Prince Neal opened his mouth, but was silenced by the quiet yet dangerous tone of the Dark One’s question.
“How, pray tell, do you plan to settle this matter, Captain?”
“By claiming that which was owed me the day I saved King David’s life and he vowed to honor me with a boon, dictated by the Law of Surprise.”
“A boon? What boon?” Emma demanded.
With confident, measured steps Hook made his way up to the top of the platform and stood in front of his princess, his body strategically placed between her and his new adversaries. His eyes captured hers and he knew they were crinkling in the corners as he smiled down at her.
“Don’t you know, Emma?” he murmured softly. “It’s you.”
Confusion and outrage flashed within her seaglass eyes and displayed themselves through each feature of her exquisite face. Though her reaction, not being what he’d hoped for, sliced through him, he could do nothing about that now, not when a fresh round of threats was being issued by the Dark One and his spawn.
“We had a deal!” the Dark One bellowed. “Your daughter’s hand in marriage to my son in exchange for me ending your war with George! You made a deal--”
“Which they have kept in good faith!” Hook roared, rounding on the imp and causing his son to stumble backwards. “They have prepared and presented the princess for betrothal, and Emma herself recited the vows, even as it went against everything she wished for herself. It is not their fault the fates did not bind the agreement. If you wish to lay declarations of war at anyone’s feet, then let it be mine, but I warn you…” Stepping closer, Hook loomed over the Dark One and in a timbre of hushed menace, he advised, “do so at your own peril.”
The Dark One’s eyes narrowed, perhaps sensing something about the man who stood before him that he had not registered before. Beside him, Prince Neal scoffed.
“Are we to be threatened by the likes of you? You are nothing but a filthy pirate.”
Hook grinned darkly and rocked back on his heels, tucking his thumb in his belt. “A few months ago I was nothing but a filthy pirate, but today,” hardening his expression, he declared, “I am Neverland’s King, and you do not want Neverland as your enemy.”
The Dark One visibly started, but the Prince merely snorted. “Neverland has no king.”
Keeping a calculating eye on the Dark One, Hook shrugged and addressed Neal with a casual air. “True. I never understood, with all his theatrics, why Pan had never outright declared himself king, but make no mistake…” The hard edge returned to his tone and countenance, “Pan ruled that island as a dictator king with an iron scepter and a crown of cruelty not even George could have dreamed of matching. Now that Pan’s dead,” the Dark One’s head snapped towards him, seemingly pulled from his thoughts with a number of questions swirling behind his dark gaze, “Neverland is under my rule. The island, its inhabitants, and…” Hook flicked his wrist and the entirety of the ballroom gasped when a jar of glittering dust appeared in his hand, “its magic. They all serve me now, so I say again. You do not want me as an enemy.”
Shrewdly, the Dark One scrutinized the jar in Hook’s hand, then inquired, “What, then, do you propose we do? The terms of the deal have not been met. I ended the war with King George. A debt is still owed.”
“Indeed,” Hook replied, holding out the jar towards the Dark One. “And I believe this canister of pixie dust is more than sufficient in settling that debt.” Hook pulled the jar back when the prince made an attempt to take it. “So long as you promise that accepting it means no further repercussions. Misthaven is safe from any further threats or acts of retaliation from you, and Emma is free to find love and happiness with whomever she chooses. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Papa, no!” Prince Neal protested. “You can’t just--”
“I can, and I have,” the Dark One clipped in a tone of censure before snatching the jar from Hook’s hand. Addressing the King and Queen, he confirmed, “Our deal has been satisfied. My son and I will now take our leave, but heed this… do not call upon me for aid ever again.”
“We won’t,” King David assured him. His eyes cut to Hook’s, relief and gratitude swimming within their depths, but before he could make any further statements another round of gasps rippled through the ballroom as the Dark One and Prince Neal were enveloped in a plume of dark smoke and vanished.
A heavy exhale fell over Hook’s lips and he stood, frozen, in the gazes of his friends, his sovereigns, his brother, and… his Emma.
“It’s you,” she said, her expression and voice void of any inflection he could identify as her eyes seemed to look past him to that far off place he’d seen her subconscious go when they were alone before. “You’re… him. We’ve… we’ve met before.”
“Aye, Your Highness,” he hedged. Her demeanor and lack of response to all that had just transpired made him hesitant to push her too far, too fast. “Moments ago in the corridor--”
“No… no, that’s not. I mean…” Her eyes refocused on him with a mixture of awe, disbelief, and something that hadn’t quite made its way to the surface yet swirling through their verdant beauty as she whispered, “It’s you, isn’t it? The man from my… you’re him.”
“Him… who?”
“My pirate,” she exhaled, stunning Hook to his core as she lifted a chain that had been concealed beneath the high neck of her white gown. Dangling from the delicate links was a familiar looking pendant. The seashell he had gifted her - after she’d plucked it from his desk, the little thief - he realized. The far off look returned as she murmured, “Not a day has gone by that I have not thought of you.”
His heart swelling, Hook elated, “Good,” and took a step towards her. The action, like all his actions since he’d revealed himself, was not met with the response he’d been hoping for.
Taking several steps back from him, Emma rounded on her parents and shouted, “You lied to me! You made me think it was all in my head! You knew! You knew why I felt so… wrong, so deficient. So… broken. My entire life I’ve… You knew about him all this time and you never--”
“You mustn’t blame them, love,” Hook insisted. “It’s not their fault. I made your mother promise never to tell--”
“Perhaps we should take this discussion elsewhere,” Snow said, making them all acutely aware of their audience. The societal vultures practically circling in anticipation of the feast such morsels of scandal might provide.
“That won’t be necessary,” Emma seethed. “There won’t be any more discussion, because I’m not interested in anything any of you have to say!”
Hook gaped when she raised her hand, calling forth magic to transport her from the ballroom in a plume of white smoke.
“She has magic?”
“She’s the product of True Love. Of course she has magic,” the Blue Fairy replied with a terse and exasperated tone, having made her way onto the dais to address her sovereigns and offer her assistance. “Your Majesties, perhaps it would be best for you to withdraw with the… captain, whilst the other fairies and I tend to your guests?”
“Yes,” Snow agreed. “Thank you, Blue.”
Hook followed his sovereigns and brother to an adjoining room where they could converse and continue their reunion in private, though none of them seemed to know where to begin.
“I think I ought to go and check on Em--”
“No,” Hook said, cutting off Snow. “Leave her be. She’s had a terrible shock and no doubt needs some time to work out all that’s…”
They stood there awkwardly for a moment more until reality set in. They were here, together, reunited at last, and in a synchronized heartbeat they suddenly found themselves in a united embrace, laughing and crying tears of joy and relief at finally having the nightmare of separation behind them.
“Admit it,” Hook demanded of David, wiping the vestiges of his emotional release from his eyes. “You were hedging your bets when you made that deal with the Dark One. You suspected The Law of Surprise would void it when the time came, didn’t you?” Turning towards his brother, Hook surmised, “That’s why you wouldn’t let me relinquish my claim and bestow it upon you.”
Sheepishly, Snow admitted, “Blue was the one who suggested the idea. We could not be sure, though, given your… uncertain future under Pan’s rule.”
“Speaking of,” Liam chimed in. “However did you manage to defeat the little bastard?”
“It’s a bit of a sordid tale,” Hook told them. “And one I do not wish to relive in detail. Suffice it to say, I managed to gain a certain amount of trust with Pan, which allowed me close access to him. Revealing some of his weaknesses. One of them being… squid ink.”
Liam led them over to the settees and they all sat down as he remarked, “Squid ink is no easy substance to obtain.”
“Aye,” Hook affirmed. “Fortunately, whilst on one of my missions for Pan, I ran into a mermaid who wished to leave her life in the sea behind. In exchange for safe passage, and because she felt bad for nearly crashing my ship upon rocky shoals when she enchanted me with her siren song, she gave me the squid ink she’d stolen from her father’s vault. Tink and I used the ink to subdue Pan.” Fiddling with his hook, he cast his eyes towards the floor as he confessed, “My hook did the rest.”
“And Pan’s death gave you… magic?”
“Not exactly.” Hook pulled back the sleeve of his right arm, exposing the cuff secured to his wrist. “This does,” he said, tapping it with the side of his hook. “It was Pan’s. He was never without it. I learned that it tethered the Shadow to him, acting as a conduit to the island’s power which he could then bend to his will. At first, I had no desire for it, but its use became necessary in order for me to begin to set things right.”
Hook told them how he and Tink had spent the past few months: squashing rebellions from those on the island still loyal to Pan, learning about the island’s magic while working with the Shadow to restore balance to her shores, and returning those he’d brought there under Pan’s order against their will.
“There is still much to be done, but when I heard about Emma’s betrothal, I…” Not wishing to tell anymore half-truths, or admit that the news of her betrothal had not been enough without Tink’s prompting, he let his words trail off. He hadn’t shared with them his misgivings in returning, allowing them to believe these other distractions had been the reason for his delay, causing guilt to churn in his gut as he sat amongst them.
“Where is Tinkerbell?” Snow asked, perhaps sensing the shift in his demeanor.
“She remained behind in Neverland,” Hook replied. “Awaiting further orders.”
“Further orders?” David parroted. “What more could you ask of her?”
“Not from me,” Hook assured. “From Blue.” Glancing down at the cuff on his wrist, he imparted, “The island should go to the fairies. They are the only ones who can truly wield and balance its power. I have no wish to be its sovereign forever, but...”
“But?”
Hook sighed. “All magic comes with a price, and the price of using this cuff is that it cannot be removed unless both the wearer and the island agree to its removal.” A wry smile pulled at the corner of his mouth and he cheekily added, “or unless the wearer is dead and no longer has a say in the matter.”
“I don’t…” Liam floundered. “I don’t understand what you--”
“The island won’t let me relinquish my connection with its magic,” Hook said. “After Pan, I believe it finds me preferable and won’t risk falling into the wrong sort of hands again. My hope is that the fairies might be able to convince the island to free me of the obligation, which is one of the reasons Tink remained there. To continue working towards that end until reinforcements arrive.”
“Well,” Snow said, standing and causing the men to follow suit. “That is something we can certainly discuss in greater detail tomorrow. For now,” she turned to her husband and with a firm, yet regal, look, declared, “we really must return to our guests and assure them that all is well.”
“Of course,” David agreed. “You’re right. The gossip mill is no doubt having a field day and our allies deserve whatever reassurances we can give them.”
“My apologies for creating a spectacle.” Hook gave his sovereigns a chagrined and contrite look, but they quickly waved off his self-condemnation.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Snow assured him.
“Snow is right,” David asserted. “Without you, we’d likely be preparing for war with the Dark One. You saved us… again.”
Hook grinned and nonchalantly scratched behind his ear. “I imagine another boon might be in order then?”
David shot him a less than amused look. “I’m not granting you another Law of Surprise, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Though we do not plan to have any more children, I agree with Charming,” Snow said, a hint of amusement coloring her words. “Once was more than enough.”
Hook sobered at the reminder of his Emma, and the mess he’d made of things between them.
“You owe me nothing,” he said. “It isn’t as though I’ve lived up to the last--”
“Enough of that,” Snow admonished. “I know things may not have gone as you’d hoped with Emma, but tomorrow is a new day. Let me have a room made up for you, and tomorrow we can all--”
“Thank you, Snow, but I think I’d rather return to my ship.” When Liam opened his mouth to protest, Hook assured him. “I’ll remain in port. I won’t leave without discussing the matter with you first, I just… I need…”
“Much has changed for you, too, little brother,” Liam acknowledged.
“Aye,” Hook admitted. “Freedom is not something I’ve had much practice with, and I’m still getting my bearings. Still trying to decide what I want to do with my life.”
“You know you always have a home here, right?” David said, placing a heavy hand upon his shoulder. “A place to belong.”
“I appreciate that, Your Majesty,” Hook said, hoping his eyes reflected just how much that fact meant to him. “But do you honestly think things can go back to how they would have been if you’d never sent us to Neverland? Or if we’d all managed to return from the accursed mission?”
David flinched and his features twisted into an expression of guilt and regret.
“Don’t misunderstand,” Hook said, now placing his own hand on his sovereign's shoulder. “I do not blame you. I have never blamed you, but let’s not pretend I can just take my place within your navy and serve as captain of one of your ships. For one, I am no longer a man who takes orders from others willingly, and two… what crew would wish to serve under the likes of me? A pirate. A blackguard.”
“No one is suggesting we pretend the past twenty years did not happen,” Liam said. “There is much to work out, much to resolve and decide upon. For you… and for Emma.”
David’s expression shifted and he now regarded Hook in a way the pirate had never experienced before. Not as his sovereign, nor as his friend, but as a father. A rather protective father. A protective father who might have just registered the charged interactions the pirate and his daughter had shared in the ballroom.
“Indeed,” the man said with a slightly hardened edge on his words. “Perhaps we should have a talk about your intentions with my daughter.”
“Charming,” Snow scolded, saving Hook from having to respond. “Now is not the time.” Squaring her shoulders and taking up her regal posture, the queen declared, “While these matters are all important and worthy of our time and thoughtful consideration, the more pressing issue awaits us in the ballroom.” Fixing her eyes on Liam, she continued, “David and I will need your diplomacy in dealing with our allies. You and the fairies are our ambassadors for the duration of the event.” Shifting her attention to Hook, she offered, “You are welcome to stay, however, it may be best if--”
“If it is all the same to you, Your Majesty,” Hook interrupted, “I think I’d prefer to take my leave for the evening and return to my ship.”
Giving him an acquiescing nod, Snow replied, “Very well. Let us all get through this evening and get ourselves as restful of a night’s sleep as we can. We will then reconvene tomorrow.”
“And Emma?” Hook inquired.
Snow and David shared a quick look of solidarity, then confirmed with a glance towards Liam before affirming, “We will leave her be, for now. As you requested.”
Their silent recognition and acceptance of his sovereignty in Emma’s life both relieved and disquieted him. He’d meant what he’d said to Tink about not being her lord and master, but he would not hesitate to advocate for her if he felt those around her were not acting in her best interest. She needed time. They both did.
“Then I shall bid you all a good night,” Hook said, not waiting for them to reciprocate before transporting himself back to the Jolly Roger in a swirl of crimson, in dire need of a refuge where he himself could process all that had come to pass this evening.
~/~
Hook’s jaw cracked from the wide yawn he released early the next morning, his body stiff and feeling its true age as he went about his normal routine, shuffling through his cabin in naught but his skin. He’d managed to pull on his leather pants, leaving them loosely tied around his waist, when he heard a voice drifting towards him from the dock.
“Ahoy! Captain, are you there?” a woman’s voice softly called out. From the tentative tone and reserved volume, he could tell she was trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible. It mattered not, though. He’d know that voice anywhere.
Hastily, Hook pulled on his shirt, a few of the buttons he kept fastened in the front slipped free from their closures, leaving his chest completely exposed. Forgoing his boots or even bothering to check the state of his hair, he rushed from his quarters and onto the deck, stopping short at the sight of his Emma standing atop the gangplank, just shy of the deck. The morning sun bathed her in an ethereal glow, silhouetting her form, which was adorned in her riding apparel, hugging her curves and highlighting her shapely legs in a way that had Hook glad he’d left his trousers loose.
Shaking those thoughts from his mind, Hook continued to approach her, only now taking in her observations of him. Rather wide-eyed and pinked cheeked observations, he noted with a self-satisfied smirk.
“Princess?” he said, pulling her from her own thoughts, his breath catching at the way she wet her lips before clearing her throat.
“I apologize for arriving so early and unannounced,” she said, straightening her posture before inquiring, “Permission to come aboard, Captain?”
Hook grinned and closed the space between them with swaggering steps, holding out his hand to assist her. “Permission granted, Your Highness.”
When her feet hit the boards of the deck they stood there for a long moment, her hand still tucked in his as she took in the sight of his ship. When her gaze lifted to the mainsail a shudder ran down her spine. Though he was unsure how much she remembered from that night long ago when she last stood there, Hook was certain he knew what had caused her response.
“I sent him back,” he assured her, his voice low and soft.
“Who?”
“The Shadow. He’s the reason the sail is typically black, but I won’t need him until it is time for me to return to…”
Sensing this topic made her uneasy, his words trailed off and she pulled her hand from his. Noises from further up the dock grabbed their attention momentarily and Hook caught sight of her horse hitched at one of the posts, alone.
“Did you come here unaccompanied?”
“Yes,” she replied, uneasiness once again taking hold of her tone and demeanor. “I hadn’t planned it. I was out for my morning ride, clearing my head when…” Looking about she asked, “Is there somewhere we could go? Somewhere more private where we might converse?”
“Of course,” he said, not faulting her for not wanting to be seen fraternizing with him. “Follow me, Your Highness.”
He led her to his quarters and stopped at the threshold, allowing her entrance as he hung back. A soft gasp fell from her lips.
“It’s… it’s just as I remembered,” she whispered under her breath, taking in every detail of his cabin. “I thought you were a dream,” she confessed, though he wasn’t certain she was actually talking to him, her gaze far away and her words almost murmured to herself.
“I thought the whole thing was a nightmare.” Her hands skimmed over the top of his desk, pausing at his hook which he’d failed to secure in his brace before going on deck. “The shadow that kidnapped me, the dark island, the glass cage, the boy…” Her eyes flicked up, meeting his as she continued in a whisper, “The pirate.” Wetting her lips, her gaze never wavered even if his did briefly drop down to her mouth. “You’re real. You were real all this time.”
“Aye.”
Picking up his hook, she turned it over in her hands. “This is the hook you used to attach yourself to the barrel? The one my mother later gifted you?”
“How did you know--”
Setting it down she leaned back against his desk and let out a heavy breath. “I talked with them last night,” she told him. “My parents. After the ball, I demanded they tell me everything.” Her gaze dropped for a moment, then her eyes snapped up to his, determination shining from their depths. His princess was on a mission for the truth. “Did you really not know of my existence until Pan had…”
“No,” he confirmed. “I had no idea the King and Queen had a child, nor that the child was the fulfillment of the Surprise your father had granted me until Pan kidnapped you.”
Nodding her head in acceptance of his word her demeanor shifted slightly, her shoulders relaxing and her gaze softening.
“I want to apologize for the way I behaved last night,” she said. “How I reacted when you…” Her contrite expression gave way to one tinged with anger as she continued. “The morning after Neverland, when I woke up, everyone acted as though it hadn’t happened. My being kidnapped. My parents insisted I had dreamt the whole thing, even Blue made me think I’d…” Her hands gripped the edge of his desk, her knuckles turning white as she continued to lean against it for support, and it took everything within him to not go to her and offer himself as an anchor for her feelings of hurt and betrayal. “My whole life I have been sheltered, not allowed to make decisions for myself, feeling as though something… vital was missing from my life, yet unable to seek it out. Made to feel as though I were mad, because of this dream that would not leave me.”
Swallowing hard, she glanced around his cabin once more before her eyes fell shut. A deep breath filled her chest, followed by a cleansing exhale. When she opened her eyes the anger was gone, but a sadness lingered. Hook would do anything to alleviate it, but he knew she was not finished. There was still so much she needed to work through, to process, to accept, and he would give her the space to do all of it.
“Last night,” she carried on, “when the betrothal bond failed, I truly thought it was because my vows had been a lie. I thought I was standing up to Neal and his father, taking control of my destiny for the first time in my life, only to discover my future was never my own to control, because of another agreement my father made before I was even born.”
Hook winced. “I am sorry, Princess. Truly.” Pushing off from the doorway where he’d been leaning against the jamb, Hook took a few steps into the cabin, stopping at the corner of his bunk. “It was never my intention to leave you feeling powerless or alone. If I could go back, I’d--”
“You don’t have to apologize,” she said, her voice sincere and her eyes full of forgiveness. “You had no way of knowing what the Surprise would be, and with what George did to my mother, who would have ever guessed? I don’t blame you for how my life--”
“You shouldn’t blame your father either, Your Highness,” Hook said in defense of his sovereign. “He had no way of knowing either, otherwise you would never have become my Surprise.”
“True.” She crossed her hands over her chest, a hardened expression once more tightening her features. “The blame belongs to Blue and my mother.”
“What?” Hook balked.
Meeting his gaze, she informed him, “Blue knew about the barrel. She saw it listed on the inventory that was taken when the Jewel made it back with the survivors. They must have put it in the hold when they fished it and you from the sea. Blue could not be sure it had not been corrupted, so she gave the water to my mother without her knowing. It wasn’t until weeks later, when my mother came to Blue worried that something was terribly wrong with her, that Blue confessed what she’d done. She told my mother it was still too early to know for certain and that she should wait to tell my father until she was further along, then later that very same day…”
“He granted me the Law of Surprise.”
“My mother knew he intended to reward you for your bravery and sacrifice, but said she had no idea it would be… Father said it hadn’t even occurred to him to grant it to you until the moment before he declared it. So, no. I do not blame my father.”
Stepping forward, Hook closed the gap between them and took her hand in his. “I will not tell you how you ought to feel, Princess. I just urge you to not let anger and blame linger in your heart for too long. I know what it is like to let such emotions fester, letting darkness creep in and take root in your spirit, giving it a foothold in your soul. Learn from my mistakes, love. Resist it.”
“Why couldn’t you?”
Running his thumb over the back of her knuckles, he softly imparted, “For many years during my first deal with Pan, I didn’t think I had anything to live for. The demon made me a pirate and I became a villain, unworthy of association with people like your parents or my brother. I had resigned myself to a life of exile and wasn’t certain I’d even return to Misthaven, until…”
“Until… what?”
“Until I met you.” How he wished he still had his other hand so he could take both of hers in his grasp, instead, he settled for threading their fingers together. “I wanted to be a better man for you, Princess. I knew Pan would still require a villain, but I was determined to defeat him by any means necessary so that I could take back my own power and control my own destiny.”
“So… what now?” she asked, a soft tremble quaking through her words.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…” she wet her lips, trying her best to hide her trepidations. “Your expectations. You said you returned in order to claim that which--”
“I said all that in an attempt to stop a war from brewing, and so you might be freed from a deal you never wished to be a part of,” he quickly assured her. “I know all too well the perils of making deals with demons, and it is a fate I would not wish upon anyone, least of all you.” Hook lifted their hands and cradled hers against his chest. “I have no expectations of you, love. I only wish to… to try and make up for lost time. To get to know you and have you get to know me. Fate may very well have its own plan, but as far as I’m concerned, whatever we become to one another is as much up to you as it is to me.”
A smile curled at the corners of her lips. “I’d hoped I hadn’t made that up about you,” she said. “I am glad to know you are, indeed, a man of honor and good form… just as I remembered you to be.”
Hook cocked his head to one side, his brows furrowed as he asked, “If you’ve always remembered the kidnapping, then why did you not recognize me in the alcove last night?”
“My memories weren’t… detailed,” she told him. “More like fragments. Impressions.” Looking past him, she began to call forth some of those memories. “I remembered you were a pirate. I remembered the silver fastenings of your waistcoat and the fact that you had dark hair, and I remembered… your eyes. They were probably the most vivid thing about you that I remembered.” Flicking her gaze up to his, she went on to say, “The truth of a person can always be found in their eyes.” Dipping her head, she demurred, “I’ve always been pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to me. It’s always in the eyes. I knew, from the moment I looked into yours, that I could trust you. That you were telling the truth about taking me home. Your eyes told me I’d be safe with you.” Locking her eyes with his, she wistfully admitted, “I’ve thought about your eyes so many times over the years.”
Her cheeks reddened and she suddenly could not meet his gaze. Hook wondered what other thoughts she might have had about her dream pirate as she grew older, but held back from making a saucy quip, allowing her to move past him towards his bookcase. Truth be told, he could do with a bit of space between them as well.
“My parents tell me that though you are finally free of Pan, there are still loose ends for you to tie up in Neverland.” Distracting herself she focused her attention on the contents of his shelves, picking through the books and lifting the lids on a few of the boxes. “Once that is done, what do you intend to do with your newfound freedom?”
“Honestly?” Hook exhaled heavily. “I’m not sure.” A tinkling melody filled the room when she lifted the top of what turned out to be a music box, hastily letting it fall shut before turning apologetic eyes towards him.
“Sorry,” she muttered, running her hands down the front of her riding jacket before clasping them in front of herself. “You were saying?”
Hook chuckled, then sobered a bit when he remembered what he was about to reveal. “I was saying, I’m not sure what I’ll do once my duty to Neverland is complete. I would like to return to Misthaven, I just… I’m not certain I have a place here any longer.” Fiddling with a few of the items on his desk, he added, “Of course, there are people here whom I wish to build relationships with.”
“Like your brother?”
“Aye,” he replied, lifting his gaze towards her. “Among others.” He paused, hoping she knew she was at the top of those considerations. “I have missed so much, and while I realize he is now old enough to be mistaken as my father, Liam is the only family I have left.” They both shared a quick laugh over that observation before he declared, “I do not want to miss any more of his life, or anyone else’s of importance to me.
Emma hummed, her eyes cast down towards her feet, perhaps unable to meet his gaze because of the intensity of it. “I’d imagine you’d want the chance to get to know his wife and your nephews as well.”
Her words rocked Hook to his core. “What?”
Emma’s head snapped up, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping from the realization. “I’m so sorry! I thought… I thought you knew!”
Hook slumped down on the edge of his bed, a new sense of melancholy and injustice washing over him as he ran his hand through his hair and pulled at the strands in the back. “How long has he… how old are his… why did he not…”
“They’ve been married almost ten years, and have two sons. Her name is Belle and she’s…”
Emma paused when Hook buried his face in his hand. So much time wasted. The toll of the years Pan had stolen from him never seemed to cease in its increase.
The sound of the music box filled his cabin once more, prompting Hook to look up from his sorrows. Tentatively, Emma approached.
“I wish there was something I could do about the time that was taken from you and your brother. I wish I had words of wisdom or answers that might guide you towards what’s next, but I don’t. All I can do in this moment is… make good on a promise I gave you last night.”
Confused, Hook could only stare at her, until she clarified, “I believe I owe you a waltz?”
Hook huffed out an amused breath. Reaching up he pawed at the patch of skin behind his ear and confessed, “I know I instigated that, but truth be told… I haven’t danced a waltz in over twenty years.”
“Well,” she replied, clearly not letting him off the proverbial hook. “Good thing for you there is only one rule.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet before wrapping his braced arm around her waist. Taking his hand in hers she flicked up her gaze and murmured, “Pick a partner who knows what they’re doing.”
She took the lead until muscle memory returned, then Hook glided them around his cabin, holding her close and marveling at how she’d been able to pull him from his sulliness with such a simple act of kindness.
His Emma was a marvel, to be sure.
“Do you, Princess?” he asked, causing her brows to pinch together as her head tilted to one side. “Do you know what you’re doing?” he clarified, his voice low and hushed, wanting to keep the moment tender despite the question burning at the back of his throat. “What you are going to do now that the threat of Pan and your obligation to marry Prince Neal has been lifted?”
Chewing her lip, she gave the inquiry her considerations before drawing closer to him. Moving her hand from his shoulder to toy with the back of his neck, she sent a cascade of shivers down his spine as she addressed his question with one of her own.
“Did you know that other than the night I was taken to Neverland, this is the furthest I have even been from the castle?”
That piece of information shocked him, though he knew it should not have. Her existence had been kept a secret for the first half of her life because of George, and the threat of Pan had kept her parents cautious for the past decade. Fear had made his sovereigns hypervigilant with their greatest treasure, so no, it should not have surprised him that they’d kept her close to home, safe behind the castle walls, never straying from the grounds.
“I have never left these shores. Never seen the beauty or experienced the culture of other realms, or met anyone who wasn’t thoroughly vetted by my parents.” Wetting her lips, her eyes fell to the charms hanging around his neck, but Hook knew her gaze was far away once again. “I know I have a duty and obligation to my kingdom, my people, and my parents, but…”
“But?”
Glancing back up with a slight expression of guilt pulling at her features, she murmured, “I can't help but wonder if my brother, Leo, was the fates way of allowing me to… That is… I know I should not wish to burden him unnecessarily, it’s just that--”
“Where would you go first?” Hook asked, still swirling them around his cabin, maneuvering their bodies with the same ease in which he attempted to change the course of their conversation. “If you had the means to go anywhere, where would you go first?”
“Neverland.”
Her quick and unexpected reply had him stopping them in their tracks. “Neverland? Why?”
Once again, she worried her lip, her breath hitching shallowly in her chest. “As much as I long to see the world, the memory of the one time I left Misthaven still haunts me,” she said, her voice a tad unsure at first, though it gained a sense of certainty and resolve as she continued on. “I want to go back so I can face it. So I can put the fear it has held over my life behind me, once and for all.”
When she flicked her gaze up to his, something new stirred within those seaglass depths and the effect of it seemed to hum between them, electrifying the atmosphere of his cabin.
“I want to see what sort of place it is now. With Pan gone. I want to know how it has fared under your rule. How it’s changed due to your influence and direction.” Swaying closer to one another, she was practically a hair’s breadth away when she murmured, “I want to see it for myself in the hopes that…”
“That what?”
Her eyes fell to his mouth and his pulse quickened.
“That it proves that I am… not wrong about you.”
It took his mind several skips of his heartbeat to register the feel of her lips against his, but once it did, instinct took over. His braced arm pressed into the small of her back, bringing her even closer to him, their chests nearly touching with the only obstacle between them being her hand. Her fingers curled through his chest hair, pulling a groan from the back of his throat that vibrated against her lips as his own slanted across them. Threading his fingers through her hair, he wrapped his hand around the base of her skull so he could position her head to his liking, deepening the kiss and coaxing her lips apart with his tongue.
The taste of her was captivating. He could spend the rest of his life drinking her in yet never be satisfied, always wanting more, always needing more… of her. Just her. His Emma.
However, now was not the time for more, and from the gentle, yet insistent, press of her hand against his chest, it was evident that his princess was not ready for what could come next if they continued down this path of passion.
“That was…” he whispered against her lips, chasing them without thought.
“Destiny?” She giggled, her nerves and inexperience quivering through her laugh.
Brushing his nose against hers, he loosened his hold, creating some space between them while assuring her, “As I said before, I have no expectations of you, no expectations for what might happen between us or what we might come to mean to one another. Only… only hope and a promise.”
“What promise would that be?”
“I promise to do whatever it takes to win your heart, Princess. I promise, that for as long as it pleases you, I’ll be here, at your service.” Taking her hand in his, Hook vowed, “I will take you to Neverland, and any other realm you wish to see. I will remain by your side, even if, one day, it is only to stand in support of my future queen.”
“What about Liam?” she said, clearly overjoyed by the prospects he’d laid out whilst harbouring some guilt that their fulfillment would take him away from his brother.
“My brother will be here whenever we choose to return,” he comforted. “Besides… he has his own life to live, and whether he chooses to acknowledge it or not, he’s been shouldering a duty and responsibility he was never meant to carry.”
“Are you suggesting I’ve been burdensome to your brother?” Her tone was laced with offense, but it was betrayed by the teasing expression she could not keep from her features.
“Oh, yes,” he cheeked back, winding his arms around her waist. “Quite the burden you are. How will I ever bear being bonded by the fates to Your Highness?”
“Hmmm,” she hummed, running her palms up his chest then wrapping her arms around his neck. “Perhaps, you could start by calling me by my name, Captain.”
“As you wish… Emma,” he obliged on an exhale.
She graced him with a smile, then asked, “And you? How may I address you? Or do you prefer Captain?”
He wouldn’t deny the pleasure it gave him, hearing her call him Captain, and he was about to make a tawdry statement attesting to that fact when his eye caught a glimpse of his hook, still sitting atop his desk.
“Call me…” he said, his voice choked and barely able to utter the name he’d long abandoned. “Killian. Please, Emma. Call me Killian.”
“Killian.”
The sound of his name on her breath shot a thrill of wonder up his spine. His lips crashed against hers and they both surrendered to the destiny fate had planned for them long ago.
Which, honestly, should not have come as a… surprise.
Thank you all for going on this journey with me! I hope you enjoyed the ride!
Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)
(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)
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#cs ff#cs fic#csff#csfic#cs au#captain swan#captain duckling#the law of surprise#cssns23#words by hollye
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Unwanted Guests: Crescendo | Morpheus x Reader
[WARNING: kidnapping, spoilers for 'Season of Mists']
['Unwanted Guests' - Morpheus's guests seem to be suspiciously interested in his wife]
{'Unwanted Guests: Diminuendo' - No longer in possession fo the key to Hell, Morpheus must think of another way to get you back.}
@padsfirewhisky was worried something else would have happend, so I'm doing just that hihi
SUMMARY: You had left to take care of a few things in the Waking World shortly before Morpheus reluctantly welcomes various envoys interested in the key to Hell. He doesn't think much of your absence - that is until Azazel reveals a vital detail.
WORDCOUNT: ~ 1k
Missing someone was not an unfamiliar sensation to Dream. In fact, there were a lot of people he missed, although one might wonder whether he didn't actually miss how serene life appeared when they were next to him. The case of you was only marginally different - your absence made Dreaming feel unbearably empty on top of this well-known loneliness weighing him down once more.
Morpheus thought that for the time being, making his palace smaller would cure the sorrow of his heart even slightly but no matter how closely the white walls came towards one another, it was still so... empty. The castle had been gradually shrunk to maybe 1/3 of its original size and yet his steps echoed throughout the long halls as though his own home betrayed him to constantly accentuate your absence. With a defeated sigh, he had to accept that it wasn't the vacancy of the palace that bothered him but the unfillable hole in his heart left by a vital piece you had taken the day you left for the Waking World.
'I'll be back before you can even notice' you told him with a smile on your face. But even on a warm summer day, a poorly fitted window lets draft enter the house, making the dwellers cold. And Morpheus was freezing.
Then, the envoys came and the heart of Dreaming filled with wonderful creatures. Morpheus, however, kept wondering if there was a limit to the loneliness he could feel. Among such dignified company, he found himself slowly drowning in his sorrowful thoughts. Truth be told, he was never quite fond of having guests. On most occasions he could rely on you holding his hand or a passing peck of reassurance but not that time - not on the night he had to make a decision that was undoubtedly going to influence a lot more than just Hell.
As though they could read the king's mind, sail the seas of lovesick sentiments, the demons began conferring:
"You really think this is going to work?" Choronzon asked Azazel. Countless sets of teeth grinned inside the rift to the seemingly endless void.
"I don't think, you dimwit. I know it's going to get us the key to Hell. Either that or Dream of the Endless is writing off the only person that gives a shit about him," the Prince of Hell stated before adding in a mocking snicker: "Again."
The three demons cackled, already tasting victory and glory on their wretched tongues. While the other guests appeared tense, realizing the fierceness of the competition, they simply sat back, awaiting the obvious outcome. None other could offer what they had.
Entire aeons seemed to have passed before Morpheus summoned Azazel to speak with him. Strangely enough, the Prince of Hell was not impatient, not this time. For impatience was a distant relative of uncertainty and Azazel was awfully confident.
The room was generally dark, lit only by candles placed on the throne of questionable design. On top of the said seat was Morpheus himself, with his head propped up on his hand. To him, the night had been going on forever and it was nowhere near close to ending. In the dimmed room, with exhaustion and longing painted on his bony face, he appeared uncharacteristically ancient. Even his skin seemed to turn from white into some sickly-looking shade of grey.
Azazel felt excited, finally finding himself in the climax of the story. But he was playing a long game and that meant he had to hold his card close just a few minutes longer:
"I present to you, Choronzon." Morpheus looked at the cocooned demon with disinterest. It wasn't the strangest gift he had been offered but definitely the least appealing so far. "He challenged you and promptly lost. Now powerless, he's all yours."
"I understand," Morpheus nodded. "And the other thing?"
"Oh, nothing much," Azazel said in a strangely dismissive tone. If he had hands, he'd surely wave them for a dramatic effect. "Just a mortal woman made into a goddess to marry the king of hopes and fears. She was visiting someone among humans but between you and me, I think she was just taking a break from her old man."
Suddenly, Dream scrambled to his feet. His shade distorted into a shapeless, angered creature that slowly devoured the room. In some kind of magic trick, the animated obscurity extinguished all candlelight, seething at the presence of anything but darkness. "You dare-"
"Nu-uh. I don't dare anything, per se, Dream of the Endless," Azazel cut him off. "I'm only making a reasonable offer. The key in exchange for the mortal. A small price to pay for someone you worthlessly claim to love, no?"
Morpheus fell silent, pondering his options in a quiet panic. He hated the thought of giving in to the demon but you... You deserved none of this. His hand curled into a tight fist as his thoughts played out more and more pessimistic scenarios of your well-being. On the other hand, placing the key to Hell back in demons' hands in good faith that they'll give you to him unscathed was reckless even for him. How does one choose between misery and woe? Morpheus knew he couldn't give in so easily, so he managed a vague response in a constrained voice:
"I will consider your offer, Azazel."
"Heard him, little lady?" The Prince of Hell chimed as though he was expecting you to answer. In a boldly slow manner, he strolled back towards his chamber but did not leave the small throne room before rubbing some more salt into the wound: "He will consider having you back. Wonderful husband, isn't he?"
Morpheus fell back down onto his throne, angry tears dwelling in his eyes as he's clenching his jaw tight enough to make his entire body tremble nervously. There, in the darkness, he's lonelier than ever.
#the sandman imagine#the sandman fanfiction#the sandman fandom#the sandman netflix#the sandman#sandman#morpheus#sandman fanfiction#morpheus sandman#sandman x reader#sandman x you#sandman imagine#morpheus x reader#morpheus fanfiction#morpheus imagine#morpheus x you#dream of the endless imagine#dream of the endless#dream x reader#dream of the endless fanfiction#dream of the endless x you#dream of the endless x reader
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Pramilla Patten, UN envoy is a US tool
For Russia it went from
"Russia is giving Viagra to rape Ukrainians"
to
"No solid evidence of rape accusations against Russia"
Now they are starting the same BS fake news against Hamas, all on a "trust me bro" basis and no forensic evidence.
War propaganda regurgitated by the UN representative, Pramila Patten, who admits - after writing the report - that she has no real evidence.
They have to demonize Hamas to justify murdering tens of thousands of Palestinian women and children in Gaza.
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having read neery's the more you don't know, I am now imagining a fic where a postcanon au lbh is trying to run a secret double life as both 1) his shizuuuuun's disciple and 2) the emperor of the demon realm. lbh is demon emperor, he thinks sqq doesn't know, and he absolutely wants to keep it that way for his own bingy reasons; their early-relationship communication is just bad enough to make this farce possible. consider:
binghe desperately trying to juggle his many, many time commitments. his google calendar is very full and his time management techniques are increasingly strained
yakkity sax playing in the background as lbh sprints hither and yon, frantically cutting portals between realms with xin mo when people's backs are just turned
new disciples like 'uhhh so are we all pretending the head disciple isn't terrifyingly OP with a huge demonic huadian orrrr'
some kind of demon incursion or demon diplomatic envoy to cang qiong where the demons are taxidermy_fox.jpg like 'why is the demon emperor here and also serving us tea'
sqq doesn't know lbh is the demon emperor. he thinks he gave up the throne, or never bothered to grab it. his oblivious POV is just "why is binghe acting so weird and stressed all the time? very strange"
possibly sqq knows about the demon emperor thing, and so all lbh's schemes are for naught
possibly sqh is the only person who knows about lbh's double life, because he's regularly both around mobei-jun and at cang qiong (how did this happen in this au? shhh)
sqh: "huh, bro, I could have sworn binghe was just-" (binghe, out of sqq's line of sight but not sqh's, draws a finger across his throat with an expression of menace that perhaps indicates that the gesture may be intended literally) "-uh, looking peaky yesterday! but he looks fine today, doing great in his cultivation I see!!"
now, obviously, you have to mangle the course of canon to pull this off. but you don't have to really mangle any of the interpersonal stuff! no one has to catch an idiot ball! they're just canonically That Bad at communication! and here, as always, that aspect of their relationship opens up endless opportunities for dumb Shenanigans(tm) in fic. love them.
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