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sareeen · 1 month

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Unknown Touches for a Lady

Pairing: Azriel x fem!reader

Summary: Y/N never thought she would be married to the spymaster of the Night Court. However, they are undoubtedly married and nothing will save her from the night ahead of her.

Warnings: smut, loss of virginity, lovely azriel

Here –> Part 2 Masterlist

A/N: The idea that popped into my head today and I didn't get up until I wrote it. :)

English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistake.

Y/N felt the bed sink in beside her and someone, her husband, fold up the edge of the blanket and slip quietly under the duvet.

Y/N felt as if she would suffocate with fear.

Two hours ago, they had gone through the ceremony where she was forced to marry the spymaster of the Night Court in a luxurious setting.

For a purpose, her father said as he adjusted her veil.

It was nothing more than a means to make a deal for the benefit of the Court of Nightmares. More food, more power in exchange for soldiers and a girl.

In fact, her family had eagerly offered her to the High Lord as a prospective bride, and as she was educated and intelligent enough to be chosen over the other women in the Court of Nightmares.

For a long time Y/N did not know to whom she was to be married. She had been raised from a very young age to believe that she was destined to be a wife and mother, but she never thought that it would be him.

But now she was given a chance. A chance to leave that damn evil place and be away from her family.

Today, for the first time in her life, she could see the stars and feel the gentle touch of the breeze on her skin, bringing tears to her eyes. If she was lucky, perhaps her husband would never send her back there. If she obeyed him – though the very thought made her feel sick. All her existence had consisted of nothing but submitting to others. She would have liked to have ruled over herself, but it would always be a dream, now that she was married.

The shadowsinger moved beside her, causing every cell in Y/N to warn her to run.

Well, it's happening, she thought despondently to herself and closed her eyes.

She knew exactly what her duty was. What must happen.

For this marriage to be legitimate, Y/N must give in to her husband and willingly spread her legs.

“I know you don't want to,” he said softly behind her back before gently placing his hand on her hip. Y/N jumped at the sudden touch. “But we have a duty, Y/N.”

She shuddered as the spymaster spoke her name out of his mouth. His voice was soft, but still a warning tone mixed into the words. She had no doubt that he was not often contradicted and may the Great Mother have mercy on whoever tried.

Y/N licked her lips and let out a shaky sigh, then nodded. Trembling, she turned onto her back and it took her a few seconds to gather her courage and look at her husband.

Azriel watched her silently, his figure illuminated by the faint moonlight that filtered through the gaps in the drawn curtains. Y/N could see his broad shoulder, the swelling muscles in his arm, and even the dark outline of his tattoo in the dim light.

Y/N could feel the golden brown eyes watching her warily as they scrutinized her. She was surprised to find that the shadowsinger did not return her stare for a moment and kept his gaze on her face the whole time. Perhaps he was waiting for her to make a move.

Maybe he was waiting for her to initiate.

Y/N's mouth went dry at the thought that he might have wanted her to. However, she had been raised to do what others wanted, so with all her presence of mind she slowly touched her palm to Azriel's chest. She felt warm, silky skin and felt a steady heartbeat beneath her hand as she slid it a little further away. She heard the Illyrian take a deep breath and the scarred finger she had put the gold ring on a few hours ago gently stroked the cool back of her hand.

Y/N was so startled for a moment that she forgot to breathe. Never had she imagined that the dreaded shadowsinger could be so gentle as he was now.

Perhaps behind the scars and shadows there was not a monster, but a feeling being.

A tiny germ of hope began to blossom in Y/N and she continued to caress him a little more boldly. Her hand glided down Azriel's muscular arm and Y/N was startled to find herself enjoying it.

The way the steely muscles tighten under her touch, the heat radiating from his body as if beaming up at her, inviting her to slide closer and enjoy it.

Azriel, as if hearing her thoughts, took hold of her waist and gently pulled her towards him until their chests touched.

Y/N's nightgown was so thin that the spymaster could easily feel that her nipples were hard and straining against his chest.

Azriel groaned, barely audible, and something inside Y/N stirred at the sound.

Confused, she felt wetness between her legs and some primal longing that she had never experienced before took her. She almost longed for him to return her touch. To have him caress her heated skin. It was so unfamiliar to her, and yet it was as if her body knew how to press herself against him.

Unexpectedly, she felt the hardness against her belly that made her go rigid, but Azriel just squeezed the soft flesh of her hip and didn't let her move away.

“No,” he whispered and buried his face in her hair, his thumb tracing soothing circles around her waist. “Don't be frightened. This is what happens when –“

“I'm not so clueless that I don't know what it is,” Y/N said, blushing. She thanked the Gods for the darkness. “The women explained everything to me before the wedding anyway. That this is what it takes to conceive a marriage and it's the natural reaction of every man when he touches a woman in a loose fitting nightgown.”

Azriel remained silent, but eventually he involuntarily chuckled to himself. Y/N smiled vaguely, but the man's shaking chest and voice filled her with a certain joy. It reassured her.

“Not all men,” Azriel said, wrapping a lock of her hair around his finger and tugging it gently. “But you're certainly beautiful and you're wearing very little nightgown.”

“I didn't choose it” Y/N muttered grumpily as she lowered her head to look at the said piece. It was a little translucent and she felt a twinge of anxiety when she first saw that she would have to wear it tonight.

“I thought so,” he muttered. “If it's any comfort I think it looks good on you and I like it very much.”

She had heard rumors of the shadowsinger that he hardly spoke, but they were now lying here and he was obviously talkative.

Y/N finally understood that this was Azriel's way of distracting her and calming the emotions that were raging inside her.

Her fear of the unknown and to make her comfortable with the situation. No one had ever done anything like that for her, not even her mother.

She swallowed hard and, not giving herself time to drift away from the thought, leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. She didn't know how to do this, since tonight she was getting the first kiss of her life from Azriel at the altar in front of hundreds of guests. It was more like a little peck than a kiss.

She understood this when Azriel recovered from his momentary shock and kissed her back. This was different.

The spymaster's hand slid into her hair, his fingers tangled in her ringlets as he gently tilted her head into position and everything just got better.

The angle of the kiss changed, deepened much more and something like an excited tremor began in Y/N's belly. The scent of Azriel filled her senses, the cool night mist and cedar balming her soul, her nails involuntarily digging into Azriel's biceps and it was as if he lost all restraint at that small movement.

He rolled Y/N onto her back, then towered over her and kissed her fiercely. His tongue stroked along her lower lip as if asking for admission and she hesitantly opened it and Azriel's tongue immediately made its way to hers. Y/N let her husband guide her and she was almost giddy with pleasure.

She enjoyed the way Azriel's tongue glided over hers, the weight of him pressing her almost uncomfortably into the mattress and the hot hardness between her legs.

The shadowsinger's lips moved to her chin, and Y/N gasped for air as he moved lower and lower, finding a spot in the hollow between her shoulder and neck that made her hip snap away from the bed and involuntarily rub against Azriel.

Heat flooded her face, but she was unable to pull away from him and with long, sensual strokes she wanted more, which he acknowledged with soft moans.

Strong hands now gripped her thighs and Azriel moved lower, then bucked his hips and pushed against her. His pants and Y/N's underwear blocked them, but Azriel touched a space between her legs and moved as she imagined he would when he will be inside her.

She never thought it would be like this. This overwhelming feeling of his body moving over her, which he'd then elicited from her. Sighs erupted from deep within her body and Azriel kissed her as if to absorb the sounds she was making.

“That's it” Azriel gasped as Y/N arched and their hips met. “Just like that, my beauty.”

She groaned at the endearment and watched the wings spread wide on Azriel's back with a glazed look.

The membrane made the room even darker as it blocked out what little light had crept into the room. She wanted to feel the feel of it under her fingers.

“You can touch them,” he whispered, his breathing labored by Y/N's ear. “But only if I can touch you.”

“But you already do” she gasped, a thin layer of sweat beading on her forehead.

Azriel then let go of her thighs and slid between them, then reached down to her panties and pressed the outer curve of his hand to the spot where Y/N's body throbbed and almost burned. Gasping for air, panting, she made sounds that she should have been ashamed of, but her mind was in a fog and she could not contain herself. She would be ashamed later, but for now she could only cling to Azriel's strong shoulder.

“Here, Y/N” Azriel chuckled. “This is where I want to touch you.”

Y/N bit her lip at her husband's lustfuled words and nodded.

“There –“ her throat was tight, she could hardly get the words out. “It's good there.”

“Is it?”

“Yes” she cried softly.

His hand had pulled her underwear aside and was now touching her bare skin, causing Y/N's head to bob to the side and she clamped her hand over her mouth to muffle her voice.

However, Azriel stopped her hard and gave a disgruntled squeak.

“No, Y/N,” he muttered darkly. “I want to hear you.”

His wings fluttered, drawing her attention, and she stretched out her arm. When she touched the taut, silky membrane, Azriel shuddered and rubbed her harder between her legs.

Y/N loved what she was eliciting from her husband, so she repeated the motion and this time touched her fingernail to it a little, letting it gently scratch the inside of the wing.

“Cauldron” Azriel almost gritted his teeth in pleasure and buried his face in her neck. “You drive me crazy.”

Y/N felt the same way. His hand between her legs, his lip now brushing tiny kisses on her neck. It was killing her and she felt like a bowstring being stretched, ready to snap at any moment. Something was building inside her, the warmth in the pit of her belly seemed to be tightening and it was almost unbearable.

Then Azriel slipped a finger into the wetness between her legs and she gasped for air. It was a stinging sensation, but as he curled his finger he hit a good spot in her and she began to moan.

When Azriel gently pulled it out and then slipped back in, she heard that wet squeaking sound and it made her even more excited.

She wanted to touch him too. So much so that she had the courage to slip her hand into Azriel's pants and touch his hardness.

“Y/N” Azriel gasped as he pulled away from the delicate skin of her neck and peered down at her in the darkness.

“Teach me, please” she whispered with heavy lids. “How to touch you so that you feel as I feel now.”

Azriel closed his eyes and laughed softly.

“I already feel like that” he panted, but he helped Y/N and showed her how to take him in her grip. How tightly to squeeze and when he moved his hip to move into her hand, Y/N felt herself die instantly in admiration.

“Honey” Azriel sighed. “I need to be inside you.”

She knew what he meant.

She was a little afraid, because the women had said it would hurt terribly. However, what they had just done with Azriel had never been told that she would feel like this, so she hoped the sex would be different. Just as fantastic as this.

She opened her legs wider, giving him permission to make her his. Azriel immediately pulled her underwear off her and his own pants, then took her in his arms.

He adjusted himself between her legs but stopped and the golden brown eyes almost burned her face.

“This might hurt a little” he whispered to her and stroked her cheek affectionately. “But I'll try to do it as slowly and gently as possible.”

“It's fine, Azriel” she wrapped an arm around his shoulder and that's when she felt him shiver slightly too. Well, he was nervous too. “I'm used to the pain.”

Azriel froze, then sank down on top of her, so that their naked bodies were touching.

“From now on, no one will ever hurt you again,” he growled, his voice hard and purposeful.

Then he entered her, very slowly and Y/N gasped. She tensed in pain and whimpered and Azriel took her head in both hands and kissed her.

Finally when she thought she would pass out, she felt she couldn't take it. They lay there for a long time, but Azriel pushed forward and forward and then stopped.

Y/N sighed shakily and when her pain turned into a dull throbbing, he moved.

It was awfully strange the way Azriel moved inside her. It was unfamiliar, but after a while it got better and she gasped and clung to Azriel as if he would hold her and not let her fall over the precipice.

Emboldened, he thrust his hips faster and harder toward her and pulled her toward him with one hand, making them both gasp for air.

“Gods” Y/N broke from Azriel's lips and she groaned. Somehow the man moved in a different way and it drove her mad. “There!”

As if born to pleasure his wife, he repeated the motion again and his hand slid to her breast. He took one of her nipples between his fingers, then leaned in and licked it, whereupon Y/N clamped herself around her husband's member and moaned.

“Come for me, honey.”

His finger slid to her clit and rubbed it, which triggered something inside her.

Lights exploded behind her eyelids, her insides clenched and an animalistic moan tore from her. The heat was overwhelming her and she was sure it was over, she would die here and now, but Gods - if it is death she will be glad to go with it.

Azriel's hips slammed hard against her and she felt something warm flood over her and he shuddered. She wrapped her arms around him as if to protect him and their sweaty foreheads touched as they panted with the sensations that overwhelmed them.

Y/N opened her eyes and studied Azriel's face in the dim light. His handsome face was now relaxed and a small smile lurked at the corner of his mouth, his long black lashes casting shadows across his cheek. Her breath caught as she opened his eyes and his golden brown gaze locked on her.

There was an air of kindness and contentment that was evident in the way his hand stroked gently down her side.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly and pulled out of her, careful not to hurt her. The sheet was a little bloody, but neither of them cared.

“Yes,” Y/N whispered and turned to face him as he lay down next to her. Azriel covered them with the blanket and took her hand. “It didn't hurt that much.”

He smiled and kissed her hand.

“It won't after this.”

“Will it be after this?” asked Y/N shyly but hopefully.

“There will be a lot after this.”

Y/N almost burst with joy. Maybe this marriage won't be so bad after all.

#acotar #acomaf #a court of thrones and roses #azriel x reader #acowar #azriel shadowsinger #azriel spymaster #azriel x you

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smuttysabina · 4 months

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A Lady of the Night

(Male Reader x Jiu, 2.3k Words) Tags: Vampiric Sex, Blood/Semen Sucker, You Get Drained, Of Blood? Of Semen? Who Knows!, Romantic Sex, Some Supernatural Elements, Not Too Many Though, That's For The Next One, She Really Fits This Vibe, I Am Scared Yet Aroused, NomNomNomNom

The droplet of wine glistens in the candlelight as it slips from the corner of her shapely mouth, trailing down her chin until a delicate finger catches it. She raises it to her pert lips, before her pink tongue seductively licks it clean; her eyes not leaving yours for a moment. Jiu smiles. She leans back in her chair, appraising you with a knowing look, tilting her head to one side to judge your reaction. You feel yourself start to sweat, still unable to believe that you somehow managed to secure a date with this... goddess. The bustle of the busy bar around your booth goes completely unnoticed as your attention remains inescapably upon Jiu; as if the two of you were sealed inside your own sperate world. With infinite grace, she reaches out to lay her cold hand atop yours in reassurance, steadying you as she makes you an invitation beyond your wildest dreams. Your heart pounds like a drum as you nod numbly, how could you possibly refuse her?

"Stay with me tonight, and warm me with your love..."

The journey back to Jiu's flat passes by in a blur, the sharp chill of the outdoors giving way to the sullen warmth of her domicile. You have your first kiss in the entryway, her lips still icy from the wintry walk; but her tongue burns with heat as it tenderly slides against your own. You embrace seems to last an age, but still not long enough as she breaks off, eyes narrowed with delight. She takes you by the hand, giving you another of her curiously toothless smiles, before gently leading you towards her bedroom, allowing you to appreciate her apartment as she pulls you along. Thick curtains had been thrown open, filling the room with silver streamers of moonlight; she had not bothered to turn on the lights. The interior is filled with dark-hued furniture, their angular shapes nearly indiscernible in the faint lighting. With a soft laugh, Jiu unerringly guides you into her chambers, leaving you at the entrance and gracefully seating herself on the edge of a wide four-poster bed. You drink in the sight of her, bathed in the radiance of Luna, her milky legs in start relief on the backdrop of her black dress. Her face is like serenity rendered in marble, the deep red of her lips only serving to accentuate her paleness; red had never looked so beautiful on a woman. Jiu languidly beckons you forward, and as if under a spell your body automatically complies, seating itself next to her.

Your next kiss is far more passionate, as Jiu nibbles ever so softly upon your lips, her faint needling only heightening your arousal. Your hands caress her body, boorishly stroking her legs and pawing at her obscured breasts; and she responds in kind, reaching under your shirt to lightly scratch at your chest. You pause only long enough for her to help you out of your top, before she returns her attentions to your body. Now Jiu's cool lips make their way down your jawline, circling along to your chest, leaving you moaning; before returning to your neck. Here she takes her time, sucking and nipping at your flesh driving you wild with desire as she strokes your bare skin. Your heart pounds rhythmically as she pauses, her tongue lapping slowly at you before her teeth dig in to give you a hickey. You gasp as you feel two sharp needles of pain dig into your neck, Jiu holding you steady as she suckles upon you like a babe. She growls in content as she pulls away, leaving your mind awash with a burning lust; but enough wits remain for you to notice something has changed about the gorgeous idol. Her homely brown eyes now possess a crimson glow, and twin fangs glisten as they curve down over her plump lips. Now Jiu smiles broadly, no longer attempting to conceal her identity, you should be afraid and yet-

"My, I hardly need to beguile you... this, arouses you greatly does it not?" Jiu demurely bares her fangs, causing you to shiver with perverse excitement. She helps you further onto the bed, tenderly pushing you flat as she removes your pants, "Do not be worried, I will be gentle with you- ah. My, that is... spectacular," Jiu shyly covers her giggle as your manhood is revealed, it is so rigid it is unable to lay flat, straining slightly above your stomach. She lays herself between your legs, her rear temptingly raised up, as she delicately orients your member skyward. She plants tepid kisses up and down your shaft, her eyes shining with amusement as you groan at her teasing, her idle hand massaging your thigh soothingly. Jiu starts to weave in the slightest of nibbles, the slightest of prickles from her fangs, each scratch heightening your pleasure even more. Eventually she pauses at your tip, her canines pressing softly against its engorged flesh; giving you a curious look, as if asking for permission. Ordinarily you would be more than wary of risking your manhood inside the maw of a vampire, but tonight was no ordinary night... At your nod, Jiu's eyes narrow with approval once more, and she takes you in her mouth. Her tongue was like fire as it sweeps down your length, her head bobbing skillfully atop your cock; her gaze unerringly locked with your own. Jiu's skillful technique has you clenching the sheets, your hips writhing from the extraordinary sensations streaming from your groin. At one point she halts at your base, your cock down her throat, her tongue licking your sack for several minutes as she toys with your balls. Only when you are on the precipice of climax does she cease her ministrations , leaving your cock twitch mournfully in the chill of her bedroom.

Jiu rolls upright, leaning back she bashfully obscures her crotch as she daintily fiddles with something between her legs. With sultry slowness, she slides her midnight-colored panties down legs as pale as the stars, tossing them diffidently aside. Patting your leg affectionately, she crawls past you to snag a pillow, before reclining languidly upon it; she gives you a bemused glance as you lay together, "Well, take me." You scramble up, devouring the sight of her delicate body beneath you; your excitement only growing as she opens her legs for you. Her pallid pussy glistens with a faint sheen, as you plant yourself above Jiu, your cock bulging against the fabric of her dress; leaving a stain of precum upon it. She nods in encouragement, her soft hand guiding you down inside of her, your tips pressing between her labia before slipping inside. You both gasp at the surge of pleasure, her pussy gripping you tightly as you delve deeper inside of her unliving body. It was bizarrely enticing, lukewarm, yet sopping wet and tight; and it seemed with every thrust that it grew warmer. You bury your face into her neck, gnawing at her pale flesh passionately as you continue to pump away between her thighs. Jiu croons, wrapping her legs tight around you, her nails clawing at your back to spur you on, emitting the most adorable of squeaks as you plunge into her again and again. You haul yourself up so you can stare into her subtly crimson eyes, her mouth wide open and her fangs straining at their fullest extent. Her eyebrows raise in response to your unspoken question, knowing full well what you are about to ask. Jiu smiles lovingly, "Finish in me." You groan as your hips slam against hers, your balls pulsating painfully as they seek to empty themselves inside of Jiu. Who purrs with delight, pulling you closer to kiss and bite at your neck while you are lost in the pleasures of flooding her pussy with your seed. You feel her fangs dig into you once more, but you are beyond caring as stimulation crackles along every nerve.

As the afterglow of your orgasm fades you feel Jiu suckling upon your neck, delicately drinking your blood until she suddenly stops. Her tongue laps at your wound, soothing it close, as she rubs her hands through your hair reassuringly, "Well done my dear, I can feel your love burning within me. Yes, I think I am going to take my time with you..." You shudder at her praise, and feel as weak as a babe as she gently pushes you off of her. She touches a pale finger to your lips, smiling kindly, "Do not worry, I will be the... active one this time." Jiu stands up, balancing easily upon the soft mattress; slowly, bashfully, starting to unlace her bodice. You stare rapturously as her perky breasts shine softly in the moonlight, her nipples so pale as to almost blend into her milky flesh. With similar grace, she slides her dress down her slim form, shimmying to help the tight outfit slip past her waist. Her clothes pools at her feet, revealing her entire alluring body in the faint light; looking more like the statue of a goddess than a woman. Jiu glances down at your manhood, still shrunken from its exhaustive efforts inseminating her; and elegantly crouches down to attend to it. This time her fangs dig in more forcefully at the base of your shaft, before raking their way up and down it. Jiu's efforts are soon rewarded, as your member extends itself to its full length once more, already drooling with excitement.

Jiu straddles your waist, her lower lips wrapping around your manhood teasingly, sliding along your length gracefully as she looks at you expectantly. You nod frantically, beyond eager to be inside of her once more, and she beams at you in approval, "Good, now relax, and allow me to drain you..." She raises herself just enough to point your cock upwards before sitting upon it, slowly easing you inside of her pussy once more. Jiu's insides are now endowed with a fading warmth, which only increases your arousal; and her skillful riding is... otherworldly. Her hips seem to float along your shaft, bouncing atop you with a blasé disregard for body weight; seeming to ignore gravity as she moves in ways that would exhaust a normal woman in moments. Jiu's waist gyrates as she rides, curving her flushed pussy around your cock in novel fashion so that it is being pressed from multiple angles at once. Your shaking hands slowly raise up towards her jiggling breasts; Jiu, noticing your weakness, kindly helps you move them to her chest. You gratefully grope her perky boobs, using them to hold on tight as she picks up the pace. Jiu's movements quicken, her hips becoming a blur, your cock aching painfully from her speed, yet still fast approaching orgasm. You grit your teeth, growling as your balls begin to ache once more; then right at the edge, she halts, with just the tip inside of her. Jiu holds the awkward position without any visible effort, cupping your cheek benevolently, her eyes glowing bright in the dark, "Remember, relax."

As if a switch was thrown your muscles uncoil, leaving you as limp as a doll, and when Jiu completes her slow downward movement, you simply let it go. This was a far calmer orgasm compared to the last, with the vampiric idol slowly swaying in time to your cock's convulsions, allowing it to spurt it's seed at leisure, "There it is, I had forgotten how fragile you mortals can be sometimes. Ah well, my turn." With that, Jiu promptly unmounts you, firmly grasping you manhood before it can start to shrink once more; and with snake-like swiftness her fangs are once more fastened around your cock. This time though, she digs in, her canines spearing into your flesh, spilling forth the pent up blood inside. Jiu slurps hungrily upon your member, eyes alight with pleasure as she feasts more fully this time. Much like last time however, you are enjoying the sensation a touch more than you usually should, even more so now. Your still sensitive cock is awash with bliss, your semen continuing to leak out in a steady stream down your shaft, slopping down to where Jiu is feeding and mixing into her meal. Your vision is going grey around the edges by the time she stops, the slight pain in your cock disappearing, replaced by the steady numbness of her licking as she encourages the wounds to close. She gets up, her heavy breathing causing her breasts to sway; she smoothly glides off of the bed and out of sight. Jiu quickly returns however, tossing a thick wooly blanket over your shivering form and pushing a straw between your chapped lips, "Drink," she commands, and you readily comply.

Holding your head up, Jiu nurses you in motherly fashion, slipping a pillow under your head and checking your pulse, "You have lost around of liter of blood this night, I must admit, I had not expected you to be so... delectable," she seems to blush in the soft darkness, her eyes now blazing like red suns, "You will stay until morning, do not worry though, I am quite satiated." Jiu joins you underneath the blanket, curling close to you, her body warm for the first time since you had met her; her lips now hot against your flesh as she kisses you goodnight. Jiu had drained you utterly, in every sense of the word, and you allow yourself to drift off into sleep, thoroughly exhausted

The next morning, after you had left, Jiu glances at her phone as it chimes, smiles toothily, and responds,

"Give it a month dear, I want you fresh for your next visit..."

#kpop smut #dreamcatcher smut #jiu smut #vampire smut

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fanaticsnail · 3 months

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Sapsorrow Chapter 7

Masterlist Here, Sapsorrow Masterlist Here

Word Count: 8,800+

The Storyteller - Sapsorrow"Whom so ever fits the ring becomes wed to the warlord who owns it"Themes: enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, forced proximity, lord and subordinate, one bed trope, apprehension, mutual pining, obligation, slow burn, eventual love, protective, "where is my wife" trope.

(Image Source)

Tag List: @maybe-a-bi-witch @fuzzyfestcat @sordidmusings @writingmysanity @gingernut1314 @since-im-already-here @feral-artistry @be-good-please @little-bunnybabe @sukilovesyou @buggyenjoyer @thesailus @under-kitty @acehyacinth @andriannag @one17 @canthebest1 @khaleesihavilliard @quirkyrascal @hungrhay @sentieence @lebanese-afg-ya @captaincupio @szired @sexc-snail @alphaash99 @mfreedomstuff @h0n3y-l3m0n05 @mrs-wolfwood

Notes: Thank you to @i-am-vita for her banner! Thank you for your patience, I had this chapter beta-read twice. Thank you to @since-im-already-here and @vespidphoenix for their kindness in volunteering to do that for me! Such love and appreciation for you both.

Song Suggestions: Casper's Lullaby,

Their Wedding Serendade: Turning Page - Sleeping At Last

“I will not marry him.”

Her voice held such sorrow, but her cries fell on deaf ears as her governess began to tug her hair into place with the rough scrape of a bone comb. Thrown onto her hands, pale gloves thrust up to her elbows by the hands of her ladies maids; her shoulder straps readjusted to float down her forearms like beams of radiant moonlight.

“He has heard your demands, and seen them done. You are his princess...”—her governess’ voice paused while she shook her head to rid her eyes of her own tears—“...and now you are his bride. You bound yourself to him the moment you placed that damned band over your unity finger.” The small quiver in her tone had the princess’ eyes spilling over with a fresh stream of hot tears.

Immediately springing to her feet and snatching her hair out of the firm grip of her ladies maid, she flung herself against the corner of the room. Her face was littered with tears, her eyes swollen and lip bruised from the force of her teeth clamping on them.

“My princess,” the governess spoke, her hands quivering as they reached out in an anxiety induced panic, “You have been training your whole life to marry royalty. This was a title you were born to bear. You are to be queen of your lands, ruler of your home country. With your union to the king-.”

“-I will not marry him!” She beat her gloved hands against the wall, her enclosed fists almost shattering her bones atop the cobblestone walls. Sobs rocked her shoulders, her wails echoing throughout the hallway and flooded the ceremony space with her grief. Attendees held a similar somber expression, along with royal subjects celebrating with glee at the prospect of a new queen.

“My lady,” the governess’ voice shook as she stepped closer to the shaking princess and placed her hand over her shaking shoulder, “My lady, please.”

The bloodshot eyes of the royal princess snapped up to her with a cold and frightening stare.

“What would you have me do, my governess? Wed this man who is more than twice my age? Dine with this man, consummate a union with this man? A man who already rules over these lands as king? A man who i-is-...”

Her eyes fluttered closed as a fresh surge of tears fell from her darkened orbs.

“A man who is my father?”

The princess rounded on her ladies in waiting, her eyes now incandescent with helpless rage. “What would you do?” she continued. “What would any of you do, were you in my place? The law of the land binds me to this ring. I have become plagued by an unnatural and grotesque curse-.” Her voice halted in her throat, plagued by her own revelation.

That is exactly what this was. This was a curse.

A curse on her soul to bind her in matrimony to her own flesh and blood. Where other children dreamed of fairytale romance, being spirited away into the arms of a lover, she was bound by fate to this ring.

The princess’s gaze landed on a pot of water hanging in the fireplace. As she walked in that direction, her eyes never leaving it, the water went from simmering to bubbling to boiling over. Hardening her resolve, she grasped the iron handle and removed it from its place above the fire.

“My lady! What are you-,” the calls of her ladies in waiting were silenced by a single look from the governess.

The princess’ sobs began to crack and cackle into maniacal and sinister laughter.

“I will curse you. I will curse all of you,” she booms, casting the glove from her left hand to reveal a violet ring encrusted with an array of several stones bound within a thick band. Nine stones of unique colors danced within the light, their forms melded into a large central stone in the middle. The green hue of moss overshadowed the radiance of the smaller stones, the thick band dwarfing her unity finger.

“If you are thinking of casting it into the fire, my lady,” the governess stepped closer, her hands held with palms facing outwards in defense, “The damage is already done. You are bound to marry him, there is nothing you can do.”

The princess flung the band from her finger and threw the object into the iron pot.

“In that hopelessness, I shall thee bind,” she intones in a hundred voices, at once of the deepest bass and highest soprano. The attendees within her chambers stepped back, some thrust onto their knees under the powerful boom of her voice.

“Whosoever shall find, claim or attune to these crafts, their souls shall be cursed under the plague of unity,” she continued, her hair shifting in colors and tones to several shades closer to death, “May their suffering feed my heart with gladness and life, as my suffering brings gladness onto thee.”

“-My lady,” the governess spoke, her eyes widening in fear as she witnessed the princess wither beneath her curses, “My lady, please-.”

“-And as my yearning for a love true and just shall never be quenched,” the princess’ voice hitched, her own tone dominant within the vocal strands of external forces, “I will allow the wearer to place a plague of conditions on their heart the moment the craft is thrust upon them.”

Her hair whipped in the unnatural wind, the ring now smelting down into a lava of molten gold. The gems began dancing within the pale light as smoke poured from them in hues darker than night.

“Should their conditions never be completed,” the princess continued, her heart swelling with vicious rage, “I will claim their souls and bind them to my own in eternal suffering a year from the day it begins.” She ripped a fistful of her vibrant hair, placing it within the concoction alongside her tears.

The ladies in waiting, the maids, and the governess clutched their hearts and covered their screams with their hands as the clouds of smoke spread through the chambers.

“My lady!” The governess shrieked, “Princess, please! You do not know what it is you are making. This unnatural phylactery has no place in the lands of the living. My princess-.”

“Your Queen,” her voice boomed, her pupil-less gaze snapping over to her governess. Her face contorted into an unnatural and cool gray tone, her vibrant hair lifeless in hue while whipping around her face within waves of spectral ocean.

“My queen,” the governess repeated, bowing her head to the royal witch. Her hue returned to her, the gold simmering down as she poured the liquid onto the coals below the surface. An unnatural steam rose within the flames, the vapors smelling of metallic blood mixed with the sweetness of honey.

“I-I just-...” the princess wailed in defeat, her shoulders slouched, “-I just wanted to find love, governess. I wanted so desperately to find peace with a spouse of my own choosing. I wanted a partner to court me; to woo me, to cherish me. I never wanted-.”

“Sapsorrow, your king awaits you,” A voice called from behind the door, interrupting the unnatural scene within. As the ladies glanced nervously between the princess and the door, the final words of the princess’ confession bound all but one stone within nine rings, leaving the central moss agate laying dormant, as if awaiting a final command.

“I just wanted a love that was truly mine.”

The echo of those final words plagued your mind, dancing as the concept of time began to mould from the past and spring you into your future. The repetition of ‘truly mine’ rotated and stirred within your slumber, breaking the peace you had once found for yourself beneath your bedsheets. You catapulted from your huddled pile of blankets into an upright position; your damp hair clung to your brow and sweat stuck your nightdress to your body. Your plagued slumber left you with more questions than answers.

Had the spectre wanted you to see that image? Did she have control over your mind, did your attunement to the moss agate ring bind to you? Drawing your right hand up to your face, you rotated your thumb and index finger over your temples to rid yourself of the nightmare that seemed to persist each time you lay down to slumber.

A light rap at your door had you jolting from your thoughts, snapping your head towards the wall and hastily making your way over to the interruption.

“Governess!” A hushed feminine whisper called to you, “Governess, can I come in?” Perona continued her polite rapping, the drum of her knuckles gathering up rapidity against the wood in an anxious thump. You sighed, shaking your head and allowing a small smile to dance over your features.

Collecting the iron handle beneath your hands, you open the door and immediately become overwhelmed by the embrace of your pink-haired pupil. She squealed into your ear, bouncing happily on the balls of her feet as she attempted to twirl you.

“You are getting married to Mihawk today!” Her voice squeaked with high-pitched enthusiasm, “Have you tried on your dresses? Have you written your vows? Did you read his letter yet? Have you thought about your perfume? How are you doing your hair? Are you doing it in three different styles for the three different outfits?”

The sheer rapidity of her questions had you unable to find an anchor to hold them. You fluttered your eyelashes shut, shaking your head hastily and attempting to wrap your mind around her flurry of words.

“Of course you haven’t read his letter yet, I still have it! I am scatterbrained today, my lady. I can barely contain all of the excitement!” She continued, breaking away her contact from you and thrusting a wax-sealed envelope into your hands.

“Perona-?” You began, your voice halting as she danced past you into your chambers and staring at the two mannequins in the corner of your bedroom beside your changing shield. Her voice caught in her throat, all air relinquished from ballooning her lungs. You turned to face her, holding the envelope close to your chest as a warmer smile drew itself to your features.

“O-Oh-... Oh m-my-...” Perona’s words found no harbour against her lips, all thoughts became silenced within her mind as she hovered over to the dresses. You allowed a warm giggle to rise within your throat at her fawning over the objects.

“Do you like them?” You asked her, cocking your head over to the right hand side to find a better angle to read her face.

“They are beautiful, my lady,” she whispered, reaching her hand towards the sleeve of Sir Crocodile’s creation and halting before her digits found purchase, “Can I touch them-?”

“-Don’t you dare, Perona,” A gruff, masculine voice called from the corner of the room. You snapped your face over to the doorway, noticing Zoro donned in lengthy tan sleeping trousers and a dark yukata hanging limply at the front.

“Zoro!” You gasped, drawing your chemise closer to contain your form from his eyes, “It is one thing having Perona in my personal suite, but another to have a young gentleman while I’m clad in my nightdress.” Zoro shook his head, his wolfy grin taunting you beneath his down tilted head.

“Would you change your tune if I said I have wine?” Zoro’s brow quirked up, revealing a green bottle from behind his back with a small, nonchalant shrug. You huffed out a laugh, shaking your head and removing your arms from concealing your chemise from vision.

“Have you got a saber tucked somewhere on your person, Zoro?” You quirked your own brow up in question. Zoro laughed, turning away from his lean to reveal three swords clinging limply against his hip.

“You can take your pick, my lady,” he shrugged, his hand lying on the hilt of his favoured blade. You opened your arms to him, gesturing for him to enter your suite with an elaborate flurry of motions.

“Then by all means, my green-haired pupil,” you mixed your tone somewhere balanced between absolute sarcasm and unwithheld appreciation, “Welcome to my humble abode. Shall we begin by getting ourselves ready for the ceremony, or having a drink before breakfast?”

Zoro answered wordlessly with a small smirk. Withdrawing the white blade from within its scabbard to claim the cork from the top of the wine bottle, and unlatching the wax by severing the rim with his sword. He reached towards your small dining table, upturning three of the four teacups from their place atop their saucers and pouring the amber liquid to the brim.

“You gonna open your letter?” he asked, nodding to the envelope clutched within your hands and reminding you of its presence, “We’ll do a small cheers and give you a bit of privacy to read it.”

“I hope you are both planning on giving Mihawk a similar wake-up call,” you laughed, reaching forward and claiming a teacup from Zoro’s outstretched grasp. Zoro chuckled, shaking his head as he raised his own teacup to clash the rim with your own.

“Oh, he’s been up for hours,” Zoro confessed, Perona giggling as he handed her her own teacup, “He’s been brooding in the ceremony space: hovering over the decor and pacing, last time I checked.” Perona struck the corner of her teacup against Zoro’s before meeting the edge with your own. Your brows furrowed, glancing from the corner of your eye outside your bedroom window to seek out the elevation of the sun.

“How many hours remain between now and the ceremony?” you asked Perona with a partial anxious quiver depicted within. Perona stepped forward, brushing her shoulder against yours in a small gesture of comfort.

“You’ve got two hours, my lady,” she whispered, prompting your heart to nearly stop beating and your breath to halt in your lungs, “That’s why I thought to wake you-.”

“-And why I thought to bring you booze,” Zoro added, throwing back his teacup and downing the contents in one heaping gulp, “Just to take the edge off.” Your hands stuttered, taking a small sip of the wine within your cup before setting it back down.

“I thank you both for your thoughtfulness, my dears,” you gave them a small downturned smile, your brows triangulating in the center of your forehead, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time getting to know you as my pupils-.”

“You’re going to be our lady now, my lady,” Perona added to your thoughts, “No longer just our governess, but something akin to an adoptive mother beside Mihawk as our apprehensive father.” Your breath caught in your throat, hitching at the thought of becoming unified not only to a spouse today, but upholding a promise to chaperone the two wards at a place of higher standing.

“Don’t think too hard about it, my lady,” Zoro reassured, his brow furrowing down. Placing his mug down on the table, he reached his hands up to clasp your shoulders beneath his heavy-handed grip, “You’ve already got so much goin’ on in your head, just know-,'' his breath caught in his throat as you looked up at him through your eyelashes. He was bewitched by the charm of your melancholy and apprehensive expression, your doubts begin to spiral behind your eyes.

‘You are not good enough for this role. This is not your place. This is not a role you were born to play. This was a role that always belonged to someone of higher standing; someone of higher class-.’

“-Know we would be proud to have you as our lady, not just a governess hired to serve a role,” Zoro continued, collecting your chin beneath his fingertips to hold your gaze with his own. Perona stepped her body closer to you, weaving her arms around your waist and hastily drawing her cheek to press against your back.

“I can hear her too, my lady,” Perona whispered into your back, prompting you to break your eyes away from Zoros to glance over your shoulder. Perona’s large, dark eyes looked up at you with sorrow and understanding held within her orbs, promises of empathy propelling her utterances, “And any words she brings onto you harbouring doubt, I will smother you in nothing but kindness and love to reassure you.”

Heart swelling at her utterances, your eyes began to pool over with gladness. The mist of your eyes clouded your vision as Perona continued to sing her praises into you.

“I love you, my lady,” Perona hushed, her eyes beginning to dance with her own emotion. Her lip quivered, looking up into your eyes with true adoration and love at you, “We both do, don’t we Zoro?” At the sound of his name, Zoro’s breath caught itself within his mouth for the second time.

You trailed your eyes back over to his, breaking away from your contact with Perona, and meeting his hazelnut orbs with your own once more. No whisper of a word, nor utterance fled his lips; all emotion depicted in the slight shudder of his eye and quirk up of his lips. Sighing out, you drew your arms around Zoro’s waist, turning your head to feel his heartbeat below his warm chest. Perona continued to nuzzle against your back as Zoro’s hands on your shoulders snaked over your back and pulled you both closer to him.

“I am so glad to have met you both, dears,” you whispered, scrunching your eyes shut and deeply inhaling your insecurities, exhaling your worries into the air as they held you firmly.

“Zoro, you need a bath. You stink, and I can smell you from here,” Perona called over your shoulder, “I pity your proximity, my lady. He’s probably spilling that musky smell onto you, meaning we’ll have to bath you too- My lady! We’re running out of time!” Perona immediately broke away from the embrace, tugging at your hips to break from Zoro’s grip and leading you to the changing shield.

“You: bath,” Perona ordered, pointing her finger at Zoro, “And you,” she snapped her eyes over to you, “Moon-dress first, right?” You sighed, nodding your dismissal of Zoro with a light smile. Zoro grunted a cough, adjusting his waistband around his yukata, and nodded in return before exiting your chambers. He halted at the table, collecting the half-drunk wine bottle by the neck, before heading through the door and latching it again with a small click.

“My lady, the moon first?” Perona asked once more, taking your attention from the door to gaze into her eyes. You nodded in confirmation, prompting her to shove you behind your changing screen to rid your body of its night chemise. You folded the chemise over the door of the screen, as the variety of items presented themselves to you in order from lesser to grander.

“Perona, sweetheart,” you called to her, your voice holding an anxious laugh, “There is far too much material here for me to continue thrusting this onto my body.” Perona laughed in response, walking over to the screen and peeking over the top of the wooden frame. She inhaled deeply, a small squeak propelling her inhale. Her brows rose in excitement, her eyes upturning in glee at the first part of the assembly of the moon dress.

The bodice of the dress clung to your breasts, an ovular shape wisping in layers of tulle and smoothed satin to draw over the midpoint of your shoulders. Trailing down from its seamless layers, your back was joined with an elaborate assortment of ridges and latches. Upon investigating it initially, you were unsure of why such items were joined in bands of silver, onyx and gold to its back until it hit you.

This was truly the moon.

The silvery hue of the beams, the mystery of fluttered blues and pale whites cascading from end to end; all bound by circular divots of darkened onyx and quartz to resemble faces and craters atop the lunar surface. The many layers of skirts laid a train ending in the same ovular shape as the neckline atop your chest.

“O-Oh, my g-goodness,” Perona’s voice managed to stutter out, her soul mirrored within her expression of youthful adoration and excitement, “You look so beautiful, my lady. As luminescent and radiant as the moon in peak of nightful.” You sighed with your smile, brows upturning and weight falling away from your shoulders.

You gave Perona a small twirl, the material pooling and drifting as effortlessly as warm mercury over cool stone. She gave you a small applause and a small jittery cry of joy before ushering you over to sit at your vanity. Glancing up at your features, the illumination of the dress mixed perfectly with the tone of your skin and hair.The task had been executed flawlessly.

“Now then, my lady,” she said, shaking her head and clapping her hands, “I am going to leave you to get yourself primed, painted and dressed with the jewellery-,” Her eyes widened, “-Jewellery, my lady! I have to get the jewellery!” She hastily turned back around and fled to the door, flinging it wide and immediately cowering away from a large, balled fist descending to where wood once was.

You recognised the scent first, the smell of cigar tobacco and ashen smoke wafting into your chambers mixing with the expensive and earthy cologne of the hulking and boorish-.

“-Sir Crocodile,” you uttered as you began to rise from your vanity. Turning to face him, the intimidating aura of the hulking man hung behind the threshold of your door.

“My lady,” he nodded his head in response, his head ducking below the frame to meet the purple hue of his eyes with your own, “May I enter your space?” Perona sucked in a breath, darting her eyes between the man at the door and you in your bridal dress in a small panic. Without turning his head, Sir Crocodile’s eyes met with Perona’s through the corner of his narrowed gaze.

“I harbour no ill intent with your mistress, little mouse,” Perona pouted at his words, prompting the twitch of his smirk to pull at the corner of his lips. He cleared his voice, removing the cigar from his lips and extinguishing the flame atop the stone wall beside the door frame; an action prompting your lips to curl in a small snarl.

“As I were the means to provide you with such a dress,” his sinister smirk drew up to his cheeks, the huff of cigar smoke pooling from his lips, “I desired to be the first to see you in your radiancy. How are you enjoying your daw' alqamar-,” he shook his head in reprimand for his verbal linguistic slip, “-Your moonlight, my lady?”

Several thoughts lingered in your mind: a reprimand for using your wall to douse the burnt end of his cigar, asking him to leave your space to continue dressing yourself for your wedding, thanking him for the skill that designed and crafted the garment over your body. Elevating to your feet and walking over to the door frame with precision and grace, you halted your movement and dipped into a low stooped curtsey.

“Sir Crocodile,” you spoke in a low and stern tone, “I would offer my praises and my gratitude to you presently,” your tone twitched in subtle agitation as you rose to your feet, “But I am a bride, and my groom is awaiting me.” Crocodile hummed through his nose, his smirk continuing to hold against his lips as he stared down at you. He took a moment to stare at your bodice, his brow twitching as he cocked his head.

After taking a moment's pause, his eyes softened to a point almost unavailable to an untrained eye.

“You look beautiful, my lady,” he offered in a hushed whisper, “That dress was made for you by my means,” he stooped lower, remaining outside the threshold but hovering closer to you in proximity, “And you wear it as it you were born to don such a garment.”

At those final words, both Perona and Sir Crocodile left you in your solace to prepare yourself for your wedding ceremony. As you applied the final stroke of paint to dance atop your lips, from the corner of your eye; you spotted the parchment paper sealed with a wax stamp not dissimilar to the letter of summons from Mihawk those months ago.

Placing down your lip-paint brush, you reached for the letter and unfolded the crease and snapping the small seal holding it closed. Immediately, your eyes widened at its contents:

“My Beloved Wife,

In light of harbouring no such secrets between us; I have written the vows I desired to forge with you, and present them to you before we meet for the first time as husband and wife.”

You halted your reading, the swell of emotion elevating your heart to a risen drumbeat of both adoration and anticipation. Quickly reading through the customs he wished to claim over the ceremony, your smile broke your sorrow as you truly witnessed how much thought he placed into each declaration and decree. So many elements, so many customs you were learning held meaning for your husband to be; you found yourself awestruck.

“I have no such means for communication with you before we meet to truly know if you agree with the terms.

But know this,

I appreciated you for your skill as a governess to our wards, I found myself smiling at your playfulness as my Lost-Lady, and I am looking forward to the future that we will find ourselves forging; unified as one.

My darling, I do

I will.

And I will always love you.

Dracule Mihawk ~ Your Devoted Husband.”

A small drop soaked the page, swelling the signature lovingly scrolled ink into the bottom of the page, smudging its words. Shocked, you rose your hand to your cheek to find a damp trail of tears falling against your cheeks; completely unaware of when you had begun to cry. A small laugh flung from your lips, prompting you to sniff and shake your head before setting to the task of reapplying your paints and perfumes to the highest quality.

The final step was placing the cascading veil atop your hair and covering your eyes, sheer in material appearing to illuminate pale blue under the lights. In your hand, you clutched your bouquet of lilies, roses, and baubles of babies’ breath. Nestled into the arrangement peered throughout were small wisps of blue forget-me-nots, a small nod to your prior filterless encounter with your Farm-Hand and you as his Lost-Lady.

The halls were littered with similar flowers, illuminating the area with bulbs of roses, flurries of jasmines and hiding within the scattered arrangements: the same innocent and small forget-me-nots in clusters joined with twine. Although walking alone, you felt the presence of all guests loitering within the ceremonial space of Castle Kuraigana to propel you.

Murmurs of hushed voices, small conversations resonated within the halls and beyond had your heart beating with irregular jumps in anticipation for what awaits you behind the large, closed doors. You sucked in a breath, the trail of your moonlight dress dancing along the lengthy hallway for each movement of your feet.

‘You are truly going through with this, are you? Joining yourself to a role that you have no place in unifying with-.’

“-Sapsorrow,” your hushed voice rang into the air, the atmosphere cooling at the immediate utterance of her name. Whispers and hushed hums alerted you of her presence standing beside you in her spectral regality.

“You dare speak my name, Governess?” the voice to your side answered you, your spine and follicles standing in tingles at her tone. You rolled your neck on your shoulders, twitching your hands by your side to rid it of your anxiety as you turned to face the spirit haunting you.

Her hollowed eyes framing her pupil-less gaze found your face, her sinister smile resting comfortably against her lips. Hair swiping in a wind not present as she moved, her dress pooling at her feet like a flag within water. She was a horror to behold, but there was a deep melancholy reflected in her eyes.

“Queen Sapsorrow,” you stooped low, bowing yourself almost to the floor with your humility, “I express my gratitude to you.” You heard her spectral voice hitch in her unnatural throat, her animosity fleeing from her in the wake of curiosity. Before she opened her mouth to speak her taunts to you, you spoke once more as you rose to your feet.

“I have no parents; no father, nor mother,” you confessed to her, your eyes depicting your honesty through each word spoken, “No family to call my own, until this very moment.” You stepped closer to her, reaching out your hand to bare your right palm to her.

“I was alone in this world, drifting from place to place and finding purpose as a governess - an excellent governess,” you corrected yourself with a smile. Her uneasy and cautious expression unwavering for each parting moment you held her hostage with your words.

“You are the reason I am here, and I will forever be grateful to the future you had bound to me,” She clicked her tongue at you, scrunching her nose to reveal her snarl at you. You hardened your resolve and continued, “Two wards: a man akin to a roguish son, alongside a beautiful and delightful daughter. In this unity: I have found a love that is truly mine,” you concluded, a warmer smile drawing up to reveal your teeth to her in a kind smile.

Sapsorrow’s eyes widened, her unbeaten heart fluttering and reigniting within her chest at hearing her own words reflected from the lips of another.

“Would you care to join me as I take the walk?” you offered her, stepping closer to her and continuing to hold your hand elevated to the front of you.

“Excuse me?” Her spectral voice called, her tone somewhere between offended and bewildered at such an offering.

“Would you care to join me as I take the walk, Sapsorrow?” you again offered, gesturing to her spectral hand with your forehead, “From what I know of your history in the tale once told to me, you deserve your own happy ending. Walk with me, and I will be glad to share mine.”

“You think my curse ends with just you?” Her form faded from vision, her voice reverberating in the hall outside of the ceremony with you, “Oh, I have eight more curses to awaken, you arrogant woman-.” Her voice held source from all corners of the hallway, “-Nine if you account for the clause that stupid tall blonde placed upon the band lying around that inked doctor’s neck!”

Her sinister cackle broke her sentence, unnerving you more than the words she was speaking,“I shall start with those who aided you in completing your conditions; the easiest of the three to ensnare will be the Crocodile, for I know where his ring lay-.”

Your breath hitched at her confession, her own words halting as she attempted to stuff them back into her undead lips. A rough spectral sigh drifted within the walls, her face once again revealed to your eyes. She looked softer, almost human now. Her hair was less wild, her face less horrifying, and her eyes soft and baring pupils within them behind her thick and lengthy eyelashes. The was truly beautiful, her sorrow depicted alongside an unfamiliar warmth in her undeath.

“I will allow your happiness to lie only with you, Lady of Kuraigana. You deserve peace today,” she confessed, a warm smile rising to her lips as she leant forward to take your hand, “Enjoy the time you have with your love.” She stepped forward, pressing her left hand against your offered right, a tingle dancing against your skin at the contact.

“This is where I leave you,” she confessed, floating backwards slowly towards the high ceilings, “But I will be watching your future closely.”

“Thank you, Sapsorrow,” you offered your gratuity by slinking down to another low bow. Halting her final exit by the upper window, she turned once more and glanced at the corner of her eye at you and smirked through the left hand corner of her lips.

“The Sun-Dress is my favourite, my lady,” her small laugh propelled one of your own to dance alongside hers, “If I had a heart, I would even show mercy on Red-Hair for such a fine craft. But alas,” her beauty once again faded into the horrifying spectre you had initially seen her as, “I do not.”

Her spectral body disappeared from the window, a swell in orchestral melody commencing as soon as she departed from the space. You were once again drawn to this single moment, your heart beating now in anxiety of what your future held for you.

You were to become Lady of Kuraigana, bound to one of the former warlords of the seas. The World’s Greatest Swordsman as your beau, the Lord of this land you were now to call home. As you began to step towards the threshold of the door, the wooden barriers were pulled back by members of staff to reveal the attendees within. At the end of the ornately decorated row, your gaze immediately found linked with the honeyed hue of your beloved.

Flowers lined the pews within the large room, candles alight with warm flames to illuminate the shadowy row. All eyes snapped to you, gasps fleeing from their lips as they took in your incredible beauty dressed in an arrangement as radiant as the moon. You could audibly hear the smirk from the hulking Sir Crocodile, as praises of your dress were flung into the air with their comments and sighs.

The music swelled, a small smile drawing up to your face as you propelled yourself forward while clutching your bouquet close to your naval. You thanked your veil from shielding your nerves from prying eyes, a small blush dusting your cheeks as you shamelessly raked your eyes over the body of your intended.

His shirt was dipped into a deep ‘V’, tasteful frills decorating the hemline against his collarbone and neck. His overcoat lay open black in colour with the softest shade of mauve within the inner shield. Dark, leather pants were clasped by a golden buckle decorating his waist, the outer frame of his thighs supporting embellished embroidery in the similar mauve decorating his overcoat. Atop his head, his signature hat with his puffed, white feather dancing behind the broad brim and shielding his curled locks beneath it.

In all your time spent with Dracule Mihawk, you could safely assume you had a grasp on how to read the subtle changes in his stoic face. His lips were barely parted, his eyes only slightly widened and his face only a single shade away from his regular hue with the dusting of the palest pink. Once again, the thought hit you like a puff of cautious wind: you were to wed Lord Dracule Mihawk, become his wife and he your husband.

If his words to you were left unread and unwritten, you would have no doubt plaguing your mind at this very moment of one thing. Lord Dracule Mihawk was hopelessly, truly and deeply in love with you.

As you approached the final steps towards him, you slowly turned to view Perona standing to the side of the aisle, noticing Zoro standing beside your intended: both holding similar expressions mirroring your own. You had all been awaiting this moment with the greatest anticipation: from the moment your accidental hands toyed with the moss agate ring, to the knowledge the curse bound you now by fate.

Mihawk opened his mouth, watching as you slowly placed your bouquet he had affectionately crafted for you within Perona’s outstretched and awaiting hands. The officiant gave you a soft smile, turning to address the large number of attendees scattered amongst the pews in their most formal attire.

“Valued and adored guests here gathered,” she began, her arms gesturing outwards in a warm embellished wave, “On behalf of the Lord and Lady to be of Kuraigana, I would bid thee welcome to witness the unification of two souls in matrimony.” Mihawk had yet to tear his eyes off you, paying attention to all words spoken by the woman in front of you, but hypnotised by your presence at his side.

“There are a few elements to witness performed here. We are to leave no stone unturned nor phrase unuttered in their bonds forming,” she continued, turning away and gathering a larger twin candles within her hands and holding them to the side of her body, “Lord Dracule, you may reveal your wife from beneath her shroud, so we may witness her declarations departing from her lips.”

Mihawk rose his hands to your collar bones, his fingertips pinching the sheer material within his thumb, index and tall finger and hastily withdrawing the shield from your face. He allowed himself the luxury of the backs of his hands brushing with your cheeks as he flung the sheer fabric over your hair, a shaken breath escaping your lips at his tender touch.

As your eyes met without filter between you, his expression finally revealed more to you than a subtle tick and twitch. The air was sucked from his lungs, his eyes softening as he found his body drawing closer to you almost against his will. You smiled up at him, adoring this new and unrefined experience of adoration dancing over his face.

“I present you with two candles,” the attendee informed you, placing them out in a gesture for you to take them from her hands, “I shall alight the wick of Lord Dracule's, and he will speak his actions and their meaning aloud.” She lit his wick, gesturing for you to turn to face one another with your candles extended in the middle of your bodies.

“With this flame,” Mihawk uttered in full clarity, “I vow to light your way through all darkness that plagues you.” He extended the flamed tip to ignite your candle in front of you.

“Under its light,” you uttered with a small bow to him, “I trust you to guide me.” A small sniff from Perona, attempting as she would to halt her emotions from expressing themselves, had a similar experience rising in Zoro behind Mihawk. The two wards witnessing their Lord and Lady now unifying themselves in matrimony finally began to find harbour within their hearts in each passing moment and gesture.

Taking the candles from you and placing them within their designated dishes on the table and elevating a silver goblet and accompanying decanter. She poured the crimson liquid within the spherical container, offering to place the cool stem within your fingertips.

“Your cup may never empty,” you expressed, offering to your swordsman the container, rotating the object twice within your hands first and bowing your head low, “For I will be the wine that fills it.” His fingers brushed over yours, grasping them and taking them with him as he elevated the wine to his lips. He continued holding his hands over yours as he offered the goblet up to your own lips.

“May I be the wine that fills your cup,” his smile twitched at the corner as he added, “And may you always be satisfied with the contents that replenishes you.” A small blush rose to your cheeks as your eyes never broke from Mihawks. He elevated the wine to your lips, allowing for a small sip to pass from your lips. The celebrant reclaimed the goblet from your hands and placed it beside the lit candles, rising now a tray with two cubes of sticky honeycomb atop the surface.

“This may get a little messy, bear with us everyone,” the attendee expressed, drawing a small teetered chuckle and rise of giggle from your guests. Mihawk allowed the softness to be depicted in his face at the small giggle that fell from your lips, both claiming the sticky cubic piece of honeycomb into your fingers.

“I shall serve you in all the ways you require,” you both spoke in unison, “And may the honeycomb taste sweeter coming from my hand.” You both placed the sticky cubes within each other’s awaiting mouths, both laughing at the mess atop your fingertips. Without hesitation, Mihawk clasped your wrist, holding your hand in place as his tongue danced around your fingertips to skillfully rid them from the honey. Your shocked expression was shrouded by the presence of Mihawk’s thumb within your own lips, prompting you to perform a similar action to suck the sticky substance to rid its presence from his digits.

Small whistles and flirtatious commentary fell from the lips of the Red-Hair pirates, hooting and hollering in their support of such an unbridled expression of lust within the ceremony. Another rise of laughter occurred between you as you retracted your fingertips from each other’s mouths. The attendee placed the tray beside the goblet and returned with two thin sheets of material and offered them to Zoro and Perona.

Perona reached forward and gathered the material within her hands, Zoro apprehensively doing the same with no frame of reference as to why he was doing so.

“The two wards under the care of Dracule Mihawk will present the ties to bind you, solidifying their positions in upholding you within your commitment to one another as your chosen witnesses,” Mihawk turned away from you, as you did him, to gather the material within the hands of the wards behind you.

“May our bond continue to grow all the years you choose to remain with us in unity, Perona,” you whispered to her, prompting her to smile through her tears that began to fall as soon as your vows commenced.

“I will stay as long as you’ll have me, my lady,” she confessed in a similar tone, offering the sash for you to take into your arms.

Although you both were too wrapped to hear the conversation occurring behind you, Zoro and Mihawk had a similar moment parting between them.

“Although you are destined to earn my title as ‘World’s Greatest Swordsman’ in single combat, I am proud to call you a son under my familial name, Zoro,” He uttered with a small twitched smirk and narrowed eyes.

“I will hold both such titles with honour, Lord Mihawk,” he reached forward, his arms containing the sash and prompting both Mihawk and you to return in facing one another.

“May this knot you tie demonstrate to those present here the symbol of your unity,” the attendee uttered to you, prompting a skillful dance of fingertips brushing and hands clasping one another to tie the two sheets into a single knot in the centre. You and Mihawk both presented the unified material to the celebrant, who collected it from you by the knot in the centre. She placed the knot beside the dish containing the small syrupy honeycomb remnants, raising a box containing two bands of gold within.

“My lady, you may raise your hand to place the ring atop your beau’s unity finger and relay your vows onto him,” she gestured for you to claim the larger band within the box, elevating it to his left hand and hovering it over his fingertip.

“My beloved,” you began, glancing from his hand to dart your focus between his two honey-coloured eyes, “These are the vows of promise I swear unto you, unifying us in marriage.” He awaited expectantly his breath hitching once more as you relayed your confession of love onto him.

“I will never possess you, for you belong to none but yourself,” you smiled at him, beginning the descent of his ring slowly over his finger, “I cannot command you, for you are free.” Shimmying the object over his first knuckle, you continued to relay your vows.

“I pledge to you that your name be the one I cry into the night,” your smile cracked at the corner of your face at a small stifled squeak from Perona, “And may mine be the smile that greets you the morning after.” You slid the ring over his final knuckle, securing it to the base of his finger before interweaving your fingertips with his.

“May this ring be a symbol of my devotion to you, unifying us as one to all those who view it,” you concluded. Finally meeting his eyes once more, his glazed over eyes held such softness for you it felt too intimate for his public persona. He firmly squeezed your right hand within his left before unweaving his fingertips from yours and collecting your ring from the box presented by the attendant.

“My beloved,” he began, clasping your left hand with his right, and elevating his left hand to hover the golden band above your left finger; his own new band catching your eyes as it danced in the light, “These are the promises I swear onto you through my vows of devotion.” He slid the ring slowly over your fingertip, his eyes never breaking away from your own as he presented his words.

“I will never command nor possess you,” he ushered the ring over your first knuckle, “For your will belongs to you alone.” Sliding the ring over your second knuckle, he continued to relay his vows slowly onto you.

“I pledge your name to be cried from my lips in the night, and my smile-...” his right hand gently squeezed your fingertips as his smile drew up onto his face, “-be what greets you on the morrow beside you.” Perona stifled another squeal behind her unoccupied hand clapping over her lips, prompting a smile to break over your own lips.

“May this band unify us in matrimony, and be a beacon of my promise to all who view it,” Mihawk concluded, immediately stooping his lips to press a chaste kiss atop your knuckles, much to the detest of the celebrant. She clicked her tongue to reprimand him, shaking her head with a smile of her own.

“Given your lips can’t hold their restraint, my lord,” her warning tone playfully reprimanded him, “I will now allow for the lord and lady to solidify their unity in the sharing of their first kiss as husband and wife. You may both collect each other and seal your covenant with words left unspoken. You may now share your lips with one another.”

Mihawk immediately began his descent, cradling your jaw beneath his left hand and shepherding you towards him with his lips parted in anticipation. You hastily drew your own left hand up to his right cheek, your right hand finding purchase on his waist and anchoring yourself to him as he finally pressed his lips onto your own.

His lips were slow in movement, savouring the sweet taste of sugary honeycomb mixing with the bitter wine presented to each other earlier. He gasped into your mouth, opening it to deepen the unity between you by presenting a small flick of his tongue into you. His nose brushed with your own, his hand on your jaw fell immediately to your waist and clutched you firmly against his waist. Brows furrowed in unbridled passion, the world around you fled from memory at each press of his lips against your own.

You slid your hand up to clasp his shoulder, a small squeak fleeing from your mouth into his as he turned your body in a low dip towards the guests in their seats in the pew. This action drew you away from your lustful hypnosis, the applause and cheers of your guests gleefully erupting into the air. He hastily drew your body back upwards with the flitter of your luxurious dress pooling behind you.

“I am now delighted to pronounce, through this seal of unity,” the celebrant concluded her presentation, “The Lord and Lady Dracule of Kuraigana. Celebrate and uphold them, and may jovial celebrations continue into the night with merriment.” Mihawk clasped your hand and placed it into the crook of his left elbow, beginning his ushering of you to flee with him from the ceremony space to continue into your reception.

Several of your guests greeted you both with their offerings of congratulations and affirmations, Red-Hair Shanks prying your husband away from your arms with his arm hooking over his shoulders and ushering him into a warm embrace. You made eye contact with the first mate of the Red-Hair pirates, who offered you a polite smile and the nod of his head; both of which you returned with actions mirroring his own.

However, as soon as you became distracted by the embraces falling to your now husband, your elevated mood of joy was immediately halted as a floating and severed gloved hand clapped over your lips. You could not offer a hum of protest, nor a scream as your body was pried away from Mihawk’s and into the hallway outside of the ceremony space.

“All part of the plan, Starlight,” a soft, nasally voice reaffirmed you in your ear. You turned your head to meet with the face of the flashy-fool himself, his face painted to the highest quality. His hand rejoined his forearm with a small suctioned ‘pop’.

“I’m gonna take my hand away from your face now, alright? You gotta be quiet and listen to what I’m ‘bout to tell you,” He nodded, his eyes serious with no room for joking. You nodded in return, prompting a smile to rise to his lips.

“I’ve done some reading,” Buggy informed you, his tone apprehensive and nervous, “And there’s a custom in Kuraigana regarding weddings that sounds way too fun to be left out of ol’ Hawkie’s.”

“And what may that be, sir Buggy D Clown?” Your frown deepened the longer Buggy kept you away from your new husband. He chuckled at your apprehension, a sly smile now developing further in elevation.

“You are to be dressed in a new gown, no longer a bride but a wife under his name,” he confirmed with a nod, your understanding reflected in your own nod. “As your new dress is placed onto your body, you’re a new woman. And as a new woman,” his eyes twinkled with mischief, “Your groom has to woo you to win back your favor.”

“What are you saying, sir?” you narrowed your eyes, and threw him an accusatory and pointed look.

“What I’m saying, Starlight,” he continued, linking his arms with yours and beginning to shepherd you further away from your celebration, “Is that I’m going to kidnap you and dress you in your starlight gown,” he grimaced a small grin, “I may have had a couple of my crew break in and steal the mannequin earlier,” he quickly uttered before waving his hand in front of him to halt your protests, “And he has to humble himself and perform a skill worthy enough to win your favour.”

Your bewilderment was pictured over your face, looking from his eyes and apprehensively allowing him to draw you to the peer.

“What type of skill, Buggy?” you asked him, your curiosity peaked the longer the clown explained himself.

“Could be anything, Starlight,” he shrugged, his playful smirk pulling wider. His eyes twinkled, the paint falling within the crows feet beneath the blue and white hues, “He could dance, sing, recite poetry, he could even juggle. It truly doesn’t matter as long as you’re impressed and successfully wooed.”

You took the moment to study him. From his painted face, to his beautiful assortment of a red and yellow diamond patterned vest, to his tanned leather pants, and all the way back up to his hair braided and styled away from falling in front of his eyes. He threw his best grin at you, his lips curling in an apprehensive and crooked smile. You shook your head, stepping closer to him.

“Does Mihawk know about this?” You uttered quietly, your dress shifting behind you in your haste. He sighed out a shuddered laugh of dark glee.

“Oh, I’m certain Red-Hair is filling him in right about-...” he trailed off, thinking long and hard about his answer. As soon as your feet found the wood of Buggy’s ship, the anchor rising and sails drawn down by his crew, he gestured to the doors of Castle Kuraigana in the distance.

“-Now.”

#one piece #opla #x reader #opla fic #one piece live action #mihawk #dracule mihawk #mihawk x reader #mihawk fanfiction #sapsorrow au #dracule mihawk x reader #mihawk sapsorrow au #mihawk storyteller au #mihawk fairytale au

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imaginecentralworld · 7 days

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💎His Diamond💎

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡

𓍯 Anthony Bridgerton x female reader

𓍯 Here's PART 1 and PART 2 - Don't skip ahead! Make sure you've caught up on the other chapters. This might be longer then the previous chapters, but trust me, it's totally worth the read!

𓍯 Summary: Lady Y/N, praised by the Queen for her grace and talent, captivates Anthony Bridgerton with her music at a lavish ball. Their emotional connection deepens as they share a heartfelt moment, signaling the beginning of a budding romance.

𓍯 Word Count: 750 (words), 4,174 (characters)

𓍯 This may be the final chapter for this romantic adventure with Anthony Bridgerton, but if we get this post at 200 notes, I'll take that as a sign to continue this story. Do you want to keep the love alive, dear readers?

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden hues across the bustling streets of London, Y/N found herself standing in the grandeur of the royal palace. Nerves fluttered within her as she awaited her audience with the Queen, her mind swirling with questions and anticipation.

When the appointed hour arrived, Y/N was ushered into a lavishly adorned chamber where the Queen sat upon her throne, regal and imposing. With a gracious nod, the Queen beckoned Y/N closer, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"Your Majesty," Y/N began, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart, "I am deeply honored by your request for an audience."

The Queen regarded her with a knowing smile before speaking, her words carrying a weight of importance. "Lady Y/N, it has come to my attention that you possess a rare quality—a diamond amidst a sea of gems. Your grace, wit, and the melody of your harp have not gone unnoticed."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat as she absorbed the Queen's words, feeling a warmth spread through her veins. To be declared the diamond of the season by the highest authority in the land was a validation beyond her wildest dreams.

With a graceful bow, Y/N expressed her gratitude to the Queen, her heart brimming with newfound confidence and purpose.

As the night of the ball descended upon London, the grandeur of the occasion seemed to pale in comparison to the radiance of Lady Y/N. Adorned in an exquisite gown that shimmered like moonlight, she took her place at the harp, fingers dancing across the strings with practiced precision.

As the night wore on and the ballroom swirled with the elegant movements of dancers, Anthony Bridgerton found himself utterly captivated by Lady Y/N. With each graceful note she plucked from the harp, she seemed to cast a spell upon him, drawing him closer with an invisible thread of enchantment.

Their dance carried them across the polished floor, weaving through a sea of swirling skirts and polished shoes. Anthony's gaze never wavered from Y/N, his heart pounding with a fervor he could scarcely contain.

"Lady Y/N," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "since the moment I laid eyes on you, I have been entranced by your beauty, your spirit, your every breath."

Y/N's eyes widened with surprise, her heart skipping a beat at the intensity of Anthony's words. She had known him for such a long time, yet in his eyes, she saw a depth of emotion that stirred something deep within her soul.

"Anthony," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion, "I... I never imagined..."

But before she could utter another word, Anthony's hand gently cupped her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

"Y/N," he continued, his voice now filled with a raw vulnerability that took her breath away, "in your presence, I have found a light that guides me through the darkest of nights. You are my solace, my sanctuary, my everything."

Tears welled in Y/N's eyes as she gazed into Anthony's, her heart overflowing with a love she had never known possible.

"Anthony," she whispered, her voice barely a breath, "I feel it too. With every beat of my heart, I feel it too."

And as they stood there, lost in each other's gaze, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, bound together by a love that transcended time and space.

It was then, amidst the whispers of love and the gentle strains of music, that Anthony dropped to one knee, a small heart shaped box nestled in his palm.

"Y/N," he said, his voice trembling with emotion, "will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you stand by my side, not just tonight, but for all the nights to come?"

Y/N's breath caught in her throat as she beheld the man before her, his eyes alight with love and devotion. With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch his cheek, her heart overflowing with a joy beyond words.

"Yes, Anthony," she whispered, her voice a melody of love and longing, "yes, a thousand times yes."

And as Anthony slipped the ring onto her finger, sealing their love for all eternity, the world seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the dawn of a new chapter in their lives—a chapter filled with love, laughter, and the promise of forever.

#anthony bridgerton imagines #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton #bridgerton x reader #bridgerton imagine #anthony bridgerton x reader #bridgerton netflix #bridgerton fic #anthony bridgerton

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rainroses45 · 1 year

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Rescue Mission (Sully family x daughter reader)

description:Your mother takes you with her to rescue your siblings.

☾a/n: here is some family fluff…I am currently working on a Neteyam one shot and it’s almost done <3

☾song inspiration: shadow lady

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You crept slowly towards your mother. The slight rattle of your beaded necklace caused your mother to turn around and shush you, quickly you held them in place to stop the noise.

The soft moss cradled your feet as you ventured farther and farther into the woods. After the news of your younger siblings being held hostage broke free, your mother decided to take you with her to rescue them.

Little droplets of rain hit your face as the wind began to hollow in anger. You looked down from your spot, praying to Eywa that you do not slip and fall to your death. It was dark, but your mother still managed to find her way through the crowded area of life. Once in a while she would look back at you to check if you were okay.

Your stomach was in knots at the thought of what you would see once you arrived at the scene. Just the idea of knowing that your siblings were being held at gun point made you furious. It was this feeling of responsibility that kept you going. As the oldest of the family, the need to protect and defend your younger siblings was programmed into your mind since birth.

Your mother suddenly stopped in her tracks and skillfully hid behind one of the trees. She grabbed her bow from her back and pulled out an arrow preparing herself to kill. You followed her movements and hid next to the tree on the right side of her, both of you looking at each other nodding in union.

Your mother was the first to call out into the night. A simple sound that mimicked an animal’s, but your siblings knew better than that, they knew their mother was near. Following along with your mama, you turned your head and let out a high pitch sound into the atmosphere. Your mother soon continued on with her calls, informing her children that she was close by.

The suspense of it all caused you to peek out of the tree, what you saw broke your heart. Your brother and sisters held hostage by other na’vi, except these ones seemed different.

Without warning, your mom let her arrow soar through the air, hitting one of the idiots. You shot the next arrow sending the person holding your baby sister Tuk onto the floor in pain.

The tension radiated through the air, suffocating your clear thinking. You wanted to rush down there and kill all the bastards harming your siblings, but you knew your mother would disagree with your reasoning.

“She’s here,” you heard a man say, to who he was referring to, you didn’t quite know. Grabbing more arrows from your quiver, you lined them up and shot down two more dream walkers in the chest. Your mother nodded at you, shooting one more arrow at the bastards then turning back to rest her head against the tree.

You continued to look out a bit to check if your siblings were fine, but you shied away from the glow of the moonlight.

“Demon, I will kill you as many times as I have too!” Your mother bellowed as she grasped another arrow. The signature green feather brushed against her finger tips.

She released the final arrow allowing chaos to roam free. You let go of your hold on the tree and slid down to attack the rest of the dream walkers, hitting them with your bow and shooting the remaining arrows left in your quiver.

“Y/n!” Your younger sister screamed in joy running towards you as your father emerged from the bushes. He shot down some of the wounded, but not clearly unconscious avatars.

“Everyone okay?” Your father asked quickly grabbing onto Kiri and Lo’ak. You took Tuk into your arms and scurried through the vines and branches trying to out run the rest of the bastards. Your mother distracted them as you and your father brought your siblings to safety. Neteyam was not here, so you assumed he was still back at the base recovering from his wounds.

Spider trailed behind you all as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the air. Your mother soon joined you all in the chase of escaping the predators.

It was all going so well until Kiri yelled “Spider”, that we all turned back to see him gone. Kiri stopped running with us and tried looking down for Spider. You grabbed her arm forcefully, trying to pull her with you as you tried to keep up with your father.

“Leave him,” you told Kiri, continuing on with the everlasting marathon. You were so tired. It felt like forever until your father finally stopped running. You gently put Tuk back in the ground and took deep breaths.

“I feel like my lungs are on fire,” you huffed out letting yourself fall to the floor in pure exhaustion. The cool moss felt so nice against your skin along with the water droplets. You wanted to lay all day here, closing your eyes you wanted to go to sleep but were quickly lifted up.

“So do mine, you’re not that special,” you flipped the bird at your brother’s comment, not bothering to open your eyes and look at the idiot. Your dad laughed at your reaction but quickly covered your hand before Tuk could do the same.

You let out an “oof” as your dad placed you on his back. Your arms wrapped around his neck as you rested your head on his shoulder.

“Okay guys let’s go home,” you silently celebrated, happy that you wouldn’t have to listen to your dad’s lecture on the way home.

Your father placed you on his ikran, holding you from behind so you may sleep peacefully throughout the ride, but before you could take off your mother walked over to you and brushed a piece of you hair and smiled.

“Rest well my sweet daughter,” your mother kissed your forehead causing you to smile, and with that final action you drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

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#avatar #neytiri #jake sully #sully family #tuk sully #lo’ak sully #kiri sully #avatar way of water #happy ending #sully family x reader

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the-modern-typewriter · 2 years

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Ngh, I have to agree with that anon, you're really talented at writing vampires who truly feel dangerous, and not just softies with fang. If you like the idea, do you think you could write something about a Victorian maiden alone in her bedroom, waking up to a vampire scratching at her window, begging her to let him in because he's just so very cold, and he longs for her warm embrace to feel alive again. She doesn't want to at first, because even though he's beautiful, he's also pale with long teeth and nails and a wicked smile. But then she gazes into his eyes, and they draw her in irresistibly. Basically, I'm really curious about how you'd write vampire hypnosis, old school Gothic novel style!

Everyone knew that vampires went for the pretty girls and handsome boys, the lords and ladies of fortune and good breeding with their soft skin like fine-china to serve such lethal meals, tucked away from the world and oblivious to the rules beyond their gilded towers.

So, when the vampire first tapped at her window, she assumed she must be dreaming. She certainly didn't think to scream. Instead, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and stared.

Maybe it was already too late, truly, from the first their eyes met. Even if it was only for a heartbeat. She should have known better. Mostly, though, she simply wanted to know - to bite the forbidden fruit of him, and taste the sweetness of such an otherworldly thing.

He was pale and delicate in the moonlight, like a boy from an old painting. A man. He was not a boy, he was a man, and even as that registered, she felt her heart skitter. He appeared older than her, but not by much.

He was beautiful.

It felt a odd to even think it - beautiful. But, he was. The most beautiful thing she had ever seen, though she could admit that there was scant competition. Beautiful things did not often come calling for her.

So, she stared, and prayed maybe god might forgive her a few moments at looking at something so lovely. Surely he would look, too, with a face like that at his window?

"I'm so cold," he said. "Won't you please let me in?"

The fine points of his teeth shone in the light.

She realised she had stood up from her bed. She realised she had half crossed to the window towards him, her trembling fingers curled around the latch. Her breath fogged up the glass and his did not.

She swallowed. Fear - and something else, something unfamiliar - curled like smoky invitation in the pit of her belly.

"Let me warm myself in your arms," he murmured. "For I am so cold, and you are so lonely. Are you not, miss?"

She yanked her hands back from the latch as if she'd been scalded, taking a few stumbling steps back. And...

He grinned. His voice changed, away from its sorrowful longing, and terribly it suited him more.

"That's how the line goes, isn't it?"

She squared her shoulders, heat flooding her face. "I ask that you leave, sir. You are not welcome here."

"Oh, miss." He wet his lips, and craned a little closer to the glass, as if he could feel the warmth of her even at such a distance and longed for it. "The pounding of your heart protests otherwise."

She had no proper response for that, and so she whirled away from him - it - with great determination, and returned to her bed. She put her back to the window and willed herself not to turn and check again.

He was back the next night, and the following, and soon enough she felt a little dizzy from sleeplessness and stolen glances. When she did manage to fall asleep, her dreams were strange fragmented things, consumed by the wicked smile of a pretty man warming up beneath the forbidden press of her hands. He would kiss her neck, and the swell of her chest, and hold her with such strong arms. And his eyes...they would burn into her, as if he had never once been made to be dead, made to be cold.

Curse the creature! And yet, she could not shake the thoughts of him.

After a week of it, she went over to the window again, with every intention of scolding him for his efforts. Just because he was a thing of the night, did not mean he had to be so improper when she was trying to sleep.

Their eyes met again.

His were very pale, as silvery as the rest of him, like a cat's eyes glinting in the night. They were...they were...

"Won't you undo the window latch?" he asked, and then with another quirk of a smile, as if to mock them both. "I am so very cold."

She didn't remember exactly undoing the latch, but then the window was open and the night air was cool upon her flushed skin. It was awful cold, and she shivered.

He rested his arms upon the sill, preventing her from slamming it shut again, but did not enter yet. He watched her as intently and as transfixed as she observed him.

"Are you ready to ask for what you want, miss?"

What she wanted?

"You intend to kill me. I suppose you imagine that nobody will miss me." She jutted her chin up. "I have told the priest of your visits-"

"-You have not."

She faltered.

"But I can humour you, if you wish to tell what you confessed." He raised his brows, a small smile playing on those lips again. "Perhaps that you have allowed a gentleman caller at your window at all hours? Vampires do not go for the likes of you. You must have done something wrong."

Had she?

"At least," he said, with a careless shrug, "I imagine that is what they will say."

"You are a monster. A damned thing."

"Indeed, but that does not mean they will not be quick to find fault in you for my sins. It comforts them, you see, to believe that they would never do the same."

In an instant, like an unravelling of smoke or another glancing of moonlight, he was inside her home. He smelled like snow. His mouth had more colour than the rest of him, red roses to the lily of him, and she felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Let me get that," he murmured, and closed the window behind him with a soft click. "I would so hate for you to catch a chill."

She backed up a step, though it was far too late for that.

"You have - my mind -"

"Yes." He closed the gap between them, only to cup her face gently, and oh he truly was cold. It made her gasp. Her knees felt weak. He did not let her fall, cradling her in the careful cage of his embrace. "You could not have resisted. It is not you - anyone would be the same."

"Then why me?" It seemed a small, pitiful question. It exposed too much that she was not the girl that people wanted. That she was the one whose mother was gone, and whose father didn't notice anything, and who nobody in the village would much miss.

"Because." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then her lips, and brushed her hair back from her shoulders to expose the line of her throat. "You are beautiful." He kissed her neck, her aching pulse. "And when I held your eyes in mine," he whispered in her ear, "I could not resist you."

The next night, he was back again, and the window was open.

"Do you know what you want?" he asked.

And she said, "I know what it is like to be the stranger in this town."

She said, "I know what it is like to always be the one outside, never invited in. I understand it all now, and you..."

She said, "it's dreadful cold, sir. Come in."

#all this talk of vampires and I'm in a mood #next thing won't be vampires haha #vampires #writing #story #creative writing #fiction #sometimes I forget how much I love vampires #i know little of Victorian ettiquette

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mosneakers · 5 months

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The spirit of Agnes and Coraleye enter the elegant Sunset Valley estate. Vintage melodies from a record player swirl, enveloping Coraleye in a sense of nostalgia that she had only known from classic romance films up until this moment.

Agnes: Welcome home, darling. 230 Redwood Parkway, fondly known as "August Moon" by some.

Coraleye: Wow, that's such a magical name. This home is breathtaking, Grandma!

Agnes: It's always been my envisioned haven for raising children. Coraleye: And you owned it? Even while you lived in Moonlight Falls? Who took care of it when you weren't here?

Agnes: My sister, Cornelia, tended to her in my absence. This home held a special place in my heart, and she, understanding its significance, made occasional upgrades, just in case we ever decided to sell. Or, perhaps... return.

Coraleye: Return? As in move back? Agnes: Come, dear. Looks like dinner is finished, and now we're clearing up. I want you to hear this conversation.

As they step into the kitchen, tension hangs thick in the air. Erik diligently washes the dishes while Agnes busies herself preparing ingredients for tomorrow's meals. Neither utter a word, until Agnes finally breaks the silence.

Agnes: Erik, I... I must apologize for snapping at you during dinner. That was quite unwarranted. You were right—I ought to have shared the news with you about the fire. I know the Seymour house was so dear to your heart. It was for me, too. I hope you're not angry with me.

Erik: Ain't mad at ya, Aggy. Gee, I suppose I overreacted too. It's not just about the house; I can live without that. My decent paying job in Moonlight Falls, no chance nobody here'll pay the same. Cost of living's a lot higher, and...well, I've been hoping you'd eventually come 'round to having another baby with me, honey...

Coraleye: [eyes misting] Grandpa really wanted another baby, didn't he? Agnes: [Smiles fondly] Oh yes. But I was quite stubborn. Coraleye: I think Janie mentioned a bit about the fire being the reason for you moving back here. Did you figure out how it happened? Agnes: No, we never did. But the Crumplebottom Sisters informed me that it destroyed everything. Even their great powers couldn't reverse the damage. I had planned to tell Erik, but Belinda beat me to it with a telephone call.

Agnes: [Continuing with Erik] You know I've always said that I'm content with our two. Erik: I know baby, I've just had my fingers crossed one day you'd change your mind. Just a pipe dream, that's all. Agnes: [Sighs] Well, darling... We'll need to sort through our finances. It seems you might just be getting your way, after all...

Erik: What are you telling me, woman? Agnes: It's still early yet to, but... I find myself a tad late.

Erik: Late for tea and crumpets with the ladies at the country club, or are we talking more along the lines of a bun in the oven? Agnes: It could be. Again, it's still very early. Just three days.

Erik joyfully sweeps Agnes into his arms, twirling her as they share a tender kiss. A soft giggle escapes Agnes's lips.

Erik: Aggy baby, you make me the luckiest man to ever live or die!

Coraleye's heart swells with emotion as she witnesses her great-grandfather express his unconditional love for Agnes with such passion and honesty. They follow the Darling pair into the living area to join the girls, particularly Gwendolyn, who are engrossed in the television.

Coraleye: Gosh, look at how you two lovebirds are gazing at each other. TV not holding your attention much, is it? [Grins]

Agnes: Well, I've always preferred books. [Smiles] The television often broadcasted troubling news, especially that year when the government confirmed the existence of aliens. I made the children turn it off promptly if I heard any talk of extraterrestrials.

Coraleye quickly averts eye contact, wondering how much Agnes knows about the current state of the world, particularly Sunglo, his abduction, and how those events resulted in the birth of his beloved daughter.

Knowing her great-grandmother's well-documented phobia centered around extraterrestrials, Coraleye opts to change the subject for the time being.

Coraleye: Hey, Grandma? How did you and Grandpa know to bring the family photos along on your trip to Sunset Valley? Most people don't bring all their family photos on vacations.

Agnes: [Grins] My, I did say you were observant, didn't I? Coraleye: Well, astute. But yes. I hope to land a career in journalism, just like Grandpa! Agnes: [Nods approvingly] A journalist in the making, just like your Grandpa. No, the decision to take the photos along was merely a coincidence. Like you heard your Grandfather say, I make him "the luckiest man to ever live or die!"

#ts4 #MD4season10 #MD4 #Coraleye Darling #RealmOfMagicGetaway #Agnes Darling #Many Moons Ago #Many Moons Ago: Gen 1 #MMA Gen 1: Ch. 16 #Erik Darling #Gwendolyn Darling #GIF #Persephone Darling

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midnight-in-town · 1 year

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About Casca, it’s me or are they keeping her “jailed” and busy in a way that’s nothing like her ? It’s as if Griffith doesn’t remember what his ex right hand is all about… don’t get me wrong, I know he can’t give her a sword, but pretty dresses, calm days, making flower crowns with kids, who is he even kidding?

Hey Anon! Well I more or less agree but, as you said, Griffith drugged Casca so she wouldn't escape, so what else is there to do? x) At least she can go outside and see the sun...

That being said, reading the chapter, it really made me remember episode 72 during the Golden Age, when tortured!Griffith imagined what his life as Casca's companion would be:

Back then, powerless as he was after being tortured so much, he realized his dream became unachievable. Since he knew Casca used to have feelings for him and hearing that she couldn't leave him behind in such a state, he dreadfully imagined what his life would become, driven by (what he imagined was) Casca's wishes. Of course, that scared the hell out of him and he chose to become Femto soon after.

Now, in ep372, it really seems to me that it's the other way around: powerless and drugged, Casca is experiencing what Griffith's dream is all about and what life she might have had, if she had clung onto his dream like she used to do.

With Falconia, Griffith almost managed to get his kindgom, even if he still needs to wed Charlotte to get the official crown.

So if the Eclipse hadn't happened and Casca had remained by Griffith's side, like an obedient right hand woman who used to have feelings for her leader, it's likely that she would have become an honorable lady living in the castle, especially since women who are warriors a rare feat in Berserk (which btw caused Casca some feminity issues in the past).

Obviously though, that's all imaginary because the reality depicted in ep372 is pretty different from the Golden Age. As we know, Griffith became Femto and sacrificed the very people who always believed in him ; also Casca has feelings for Guts and is now Griffith's prisoner but...

...she was indeed abducted because she's indispensable to the realization of his dream, because Griffith wants to keep a good and tighter grasp over his own vessel, the moonlight child, so I find it's a cool parallel.

TL;DR what Casca is currently experiencing against her will and drugged in ep372 is probably what her life could have been like...

...if Guts hadn't made her realize that she didn't have to live by clinging onto another person's dream.

All that being said, I'm really hoping that Casca will soon get her agency back, because she deserves it and because I know she's capable of protecting herself without Guts necessarily being around, even if for that, she's going to need allies... :)) (see below)

Sorry for rambling Anon, but I hope it helps ! Have a nice day. :))

Hey Anon! Well, don't worry, there are always several possibilities !

Casca could manage to escape the castle for a short time and to come across them for example, even if I agree it's hard to imagine it now, seeing as she's drugged.

Personally, my favorite idea is the castle needing new maids and one of the girls getting hired as a replacement, seeing "Elaine" again and wondering why she's without Guts.

Or, considering that Daiba gave them diamonds when Rickert and co left Falconia, they probably don't have to work anymore...

...so maybe they will get a glimpse of "Elaine" as a (drugged) court lady (during Griffith and Charlotte's wedding ?) and wonder why she's there, thus getting hired as maids to get in touch with her?

Either way, I think it's very likely that Luca and the rest of the girls will be Casca's first allies and will help her overcome the whole 'being drugged' obstacle. :))

As for other possible allies at a later time, I discussed it a few years ago here, but I'm interested in Casca's presence in Falconia maybe acting as a catalyst leading to more development for Zodd, Sonia & Mule but also and mostly Charlotte.

Indeed, as a fan of the few interactions we had between Casca and Charlotte back during the Golden Age (because on this blog, we dislike competition between women and support women bonding over similar goals), I'm really hoping that Charlotte will eventually realize, upon seeing Casca, that the man she loves is an absolute monster and that, as a result, she will find it in her to step up as the rightful monarch of this kingdom.

We've still got some looong ways to go before we reach this point though, obviously.

I hope it answers your question, have a nice day Anon!

#berserk #casca #griffith #guts #gutsca #femto #luca #charlotte wyndham #nosferatu zodd #berserk theory #berserk372 #anon #answers #my analysis

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thewingedbaron · 3 months

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Together, Always- BG3 Fic Feb Day Eight

Skipping ahead to the end of act 2 on this one. Today's prompt got a little out of hand and ended up being much longer than origianlly planned. I hope you enjoy :)

Minor warning for menitons of torture. I used a bit of Shadowheart's dialogue after the Gauntlet of Shar, since it seemed fitting.

Pairing: Shadowheart x Tav (Alyss)

Ao3 Link Here

Day Eight: “It will be okay, as long as we’re together.”

“This is all some sort of terrible dream.”

Alyss’ head buzzed with residual magic as the planeshift spell dumped them on Shar’s doorstep. The world came rushing back, slowly focusing like a kaleidoscope of shadow and rock. Shadowheart’s words rung in her ears as her feet touched solid ground. Her vision returned just in time to watch the former cleric of Shar collapse.

“But… it’s real isn’t it?” Shadowheart’s eyes lifted, tears appearing at their corners as she took her in her friends. “I stood before the Nightsong. I heard Lady Shar’s words… and I failed her.”

Tears streamed down Shadowheart’s face. “Worse than failed, I defiled her! All because of what that aasimar said!”

Alyss took a shaky step toward her companion, her heart tearing. Her legs, however, were not quite ready to bear her, and the ranger collapsed to the ground. Gods damn it all, she thought. With tremendous effort, she forced her knees to bend, and her arms to work. She would crawl to Shadowheart if she had to.

The former cleric’s stare was a thousand miles away as she murmured to herself. Alyss wasn’t sure that she was even aware that there was anyone there to listen.

“I tried to leave…” She said. “But Shar blocked me. Punished me for failing her. I thought I knew the limit of pain that the incurable wound could inflict, but I had no idea.”

Alyss’ heart strained, tearing itself to tiny pieces. She threw herself across the gap between them, forcing her tired body to obey as she reached out and placed a gentle hand on Shadowheart’s arm. The half-elf didn’t acknowledge the touch.

“It felt like I was suffering the agony of a thousand people, all at once.” She murmured. “My blood was boiling, my hair on fire. I thought I’d claw my own face off with the pain…” Shadowheart’s voice broke. A half sob escaped her before she continued.

“She released me. Banished me. She said I was an outcast, that all of her children would know me and revile me… I… I’m alone.”

“No, love. You are never alone.” Alyss whispered.

Shadowheart’s eyes widened, darting to her face as if seeing her for the first time. “Love?” She asked.

Alyss froze. It had been some time since the two of them had spoken properly. Shadowheart had been so deep in the woes of the Shadow-Cursed Lands that she had time for nothing else. Alyss feared she had overstepped for a moment before a slight smile broke across the half-elf’s face.

“I… I suppose that is true. I am not alone. Not anymore.” she lifted a shaky hand, her fingers ghosting over Alyss’ cheek. “You’ve done more for me than my faith in recent days. In a long while. Thank you.”

Alyss smiled, tears pricking her own eyes. “I’m glad you finally see it.”

Despite herself, a small crack of a smile touched Shadowheart’s lips. Then, she folded, collapsing across Alyss before sobs racked her body. The ranger folded her into an embrace while her own tears fell silently. They stayed there for a long time, embracing on the steps of a tomb as the shadow lands twisted and curved around them. As they sat in each other’s embrace, holding on for dear life, the shadows did something strange. They began to curl back, parting in places as silvery moonlight descended into the gaps. There, in the patchwork sky above, Dame Alyin flew for Moonrise, a brilliant speck of silver against a darkened sky.

As Shadowheart’s sobs slowed, Alyss gently released her hold. Both women sat back on their heels, their eyes stained red as they found each other’s faces once more. A thousand words swirled in Alyss’ head like a maelstrom, but something bit back. Shadowheart had lost everything, her goddess, her family, her world had been upheaved. Now was not the time for grandiose love confessions.

“Wait.” Shadowheart said. Gentle hands seized Alyss’ shoulders as she leaned away. “Wait. Please.” the half-elf held them both in their kneeling position on the ground.

“There’s been something between us for some time. A connection more than friends…”

“Shadowheart, you don’t have to do this now.”

“No. I do. Alyss, please let me speak.” She said, placing a finger on the ranger’s lips. “I recognized it, but I didn’t act on it after that first night above the waterfall.” Shadowheart shifted, her eyes locked on Alyss’

“I thought my faith was the most important thing in my life. I couldn’t have been more wrong.” She paused for a breath. Alyss’ heart hammered in her ribs hard enough to crack a bone. “I’ve squandered too much time already. I want to be with you. Now and always. Do you want the same?”

Alyss could feel the silence that stretched between them, like a muffling cloak in her mind. She fumbled for the words to say, but could not find them. Shadowheart’s eyes searched hers, desperation gnawing at her irises. Alyss stopped, sucked in a breath to steady herself, and let it out slowly.

“I want nothing more, love. Now and always.” She whispered. Warmth flooded Shadowheart’s smile as new tears washed down her face.

“It wasn’t too long ago that I could never imagine smiling again,” she murmured. “Shows what I know.”

Alyss grinned, warmth flooding her body. Her mind buzzed, the trials and pains of the last twenty four hours forgotten. “I have been trying to tell you-”

Her words jumbled and stopped as the former cleric of shar seized her by the chin and kissed her. Something in Alyss’ heart burst, flooding her body with warmth. Whatever she had been thinking, it was gone now. The kiss shocked her mind blank. Her skin was on fire. Her blood boiled. Her heart melted as it beat. She could taste the tears in their kiss, but it somehow made it all the sweeter.

When Shadowheart broke away, it was too soon. Her face felt strangely cool without the cleric’s lips on hers. Alyss immediately began to scheme how to get her to do it again. Every nerve ending in her body felt as if it had been shocked, leaving her buzzing and dizzy.

“Keep your sarcasm for later.” Shadowheart smiled.

“I couldn’t possibly-” Shadowheart’s lips landed on hers, and Alyss’ mind was wiped blank a second time.

“Not to interrupt,” Wyll called for a long way away. “But we do still have a battle to fight.”

Alyss relaxed as their lips parted again. The world had righted itself in her mind. Now there was only one thing left to do. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, hauling Shadowheart up beside her.

The former cleric of Shar seized her hand, interlacing their fingers. “Are you sure about this?” She asked, her former confidence eluding her. “I’ll have a target on my back for the rest of my days. Shar does not forgive or forget.”

Alyss smiled.

“I know we have a lot to talk about, especially after all that.” she nodded toward the lonely gate leading back into the tomb. “But we will deal with it, right after we kick Ketheric’s ass. Sharrian assassins, old necromancers, even the gods damned Absolute isn’t going to stop us, alright?”

Shadowheart nodded, a small smile on her lips. “Together?”

Alyss grinned. “Always.”

#bg3ficfeb #thewingedbaron #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 #baldur's gate iii #baldur's gate oc #shadowheart #bg3 spoilers #baldurs gate 3 #writers on tumblr #shadowheart x tav #tav x shadowheart #love confessions #really breaking my own heart with this one

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nyamadermont · 2 months

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Looking Out From Above

#FFF240 Broken Moonlight

@flashfictionfridayofficial

Avatar: Legend of Korra

994 words

Yu Jin wasn’t entirely sure how the stuffed Juji and Roh-Tan had made it into her private space above the register, but when she looked at their green name tags, and felt the metal, she had a suspicion.

But they were cute, and fit nicely under her arms and chin as she got under the covers and settled down for the night.

She wriggled a little bit, lining up her bones on the little mattress she had kept with her since running away from that lady. It felt thin when she was really tired, but it was the only thing that was really hers.

Juji’s whiskers tickled her nose, and she giggled. Just a little bit. No one could hear her.

Ok, it was almost the only thing.

She nuzzled Roh-Tan’s side and fell asleep.

***

The crash startled her awake, but when it was quiet after that, she decided maybe Tan had just fallen out of bed again.

It made her sad.

The first few times, she had gone running over to his bed, but he was never there. He was always coming out of the water closet, a towel in his hands. He would throw the towel over his shoulder and give a big yawn, stretching his arms almost wide enough to hit the walls.

He’d ruffle her hair and say, “Sorry, kid. My bed just isn’t big enough sometimes. You’re the smart one. If you sleep on the floor, you can’t fall, can you?”

He’d smile at her, but it never felt the same as when he smiled in the daytime.

She would open her arms for a hug. He’d bend over and pull his hands up to her shoulders.

The first time Tan had wrapped her in a hug, she had gotten all tight and stiff and scared. She didn’t really know why.

That time, he just put his huge hands on her little shoulders, but really lightly. It was almost like they weren’t really there. He squatted down low and looked at her. “Did I scare you?” She shrugged and pushed his hands off her. But she didn’t run away.

He pulled his hands back and sat down on the floor.

“I won’t do that again, Yu Jin. I’m sorry.”

She hugged herself and rubbed her arms. “It’s ok.”

He didn’t say anything. He put his hands down on his knees and just sat still.

That night was the first time he told her, “You can leave if you want to. But you can always come back. If you want to.”

She couldn’t hear much from her little spot, but she knew he hadn’t gone back to sleep yet. She thought about getting out of bed and asking for some tea, but Juji’s whiskers tickled her nose again and she sneezed.

“Juji! Stop that!” she fussed at the stuffed animal.

And then she giggled about telling a stuffed animal to stop doing something.

She tried to imagine what Lin was like, using her bending to put the little toys in her spot without coming in. Did she wave her hands? Did she throw them up to Tan to put away? Did Tan throw them onto her mattress from outside her curtain?

She hugged the toys a little tighter and snuggled into her blankets.

***

“Lin? I know it’s late…”

Yu Jin rubbed her eyes. When she opened them, she could only see a little glow from the streetlight outside, where it sort of bounced off the ceiling.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

She pulled the toys tighter to her chest. She knew there were nights Tan didn’t sleep, but he’d never said much to her about it.

“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

Silence.

Tan chuckled.

“Ok, maybe waking you up would be better than that.”

Silence.

Yu Jin thought about those times she heard Tan and Lin talking in the morning before she had to get out of bed. The way their voices stayed low and soft. She heard her name sometimes. They almost always laughed.

Tan’s voice was a little like that, but Yu Jin missed hearing Lin’s voice, too.

“Yeah. It was a bad dream.”

Silence.

Tan sighed.

“Yeah. That bad dream.”

He had never told her about his bad dreams.

He had listened to her talk about finding herself in the lady’s house. The lady telling her she lived here now and she had to stay. She had to stay quiet. She had to clean the dishes. Getting punished all the time. Getting little bits of food to eat.

“I can’t ask you….”

Silence.

“Lin?”

Silence.

“Are you there?”

Yu Jin rolled over and pulled the curtain open, just a little. It took her a minute to find him. He was sitting below the phone with his knees pulled up tight. The faint glow from the streetlights was just enough to see that he was still holding the receiver in his hands. He had to have been standing up to talk to her.

She couldn’t see his face, but she could hear him breathing. It was almost like he was shaking, but his hands were still.

She couldn’t remember him sitting so still before.

The bell jingled only once.

Yu Jin looked over to the door, and saw Lin’s left hand raised as she closed the door with her right. Above the door, the bell was frozen, upside down.

Silence.

Lin made a small motion, and the bell pivoted back down to its correct position, but it didn’t ring.

She looked around, but didn’t move. “Tan? Are you out here?”

Behind the counter, he just said, “Here.”

Lin’s bare feet made no noise.

Just as she turned to face him, a cloud must have moved, because moonlight flooded in around the posters and signs in the window.

Lin knelt and opened her arms.

Tan reached for her, and bent his head to her shoulder.

From her spot above, Yu Jin watched Lin hold Tan, washed in the broken moonlight.

#flash fiction friday #FFF240 #broken moonlight #linzolt #lin beifong #lightning bolt zolt #Red Jade #nyama's short fics

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norieoncrack · 28 days

Text

𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙨 (N): the warmth of the sun

Chapter 1: Garden of Poison, child of death.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: ???

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: LBC x Discord LBC members

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞: Off

𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞: Series

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬: ???

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: What was left after a night of pleasure? Think of tomorrow as another chapter.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Violence, mentions of sex, drugs, murder, kidnapping, gore.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪! 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩: Lobster, Yoon, Nami, Arinarin, Sefora, Luna, Kaiyo, Void, Harmonia, Lizvel.

*more under cut

Chimes of the bells under moonlit sky, sounds of laughter decorate the halls of the old building, a night of dreams or a night of nightmares? Sweetly hidden under hushed whispers of the festive lights, the end of an origin shall begin.

Whether what happens under the moonlight was a spur of the moment or an act of truth, it will all fade when morning comes and cover the memories of the previous night.

“My Lady…” the older woman in front of the younger pause for a moment, cloudy eyes waiting for what she could possibly say at the moment “there are at least a dozen assassins in the vicinity, I don’t think we should stay here for long.”

Laya Yvette Valentiones

Secretary of the Inase

Hydrangea

Letting out a deep sigh the woman simply nods her head, however she continues moving forward, there was much to accomplish in this dreamy night… Laya trailed behind the older woman with her hand on her weapon, she can’t allow herself to drop her guard at any moment now.

Dimly lit oil lamps, revolting laughter and hushed whispers from the rooms that they pass, why the older woman even chose to visit these types of places was not a choice but a demand.

“My lady, you finally came,” wooden doors slide aside allowing her to enter yet shut immediately as soon as she entered “I believe we have much to discuss about.”

Palustris

Aka Prefect Luminary

Secretary of the Tsubaki family

Narrowing her eyes she gave him a disgusted look, she had suspected to be an enemy, but to meet one from the Tsubaki family like this “I don’t believe I have anything to discuss with a long time enemy.”

“Now don’t be silly,” twirling the glass of wine in front of him before setting it down and looking her straight in the eye “I believe you have something that belongs to the Tsubaki family.”

“And I believe you’ve killed my business partner,” she pointed at the headless corpse in the corner of the room “I have nothing which belongs to your family.”

An atmosphere thick enough to be cut by a knife, that smile which always creeped her out never seeming to fade, what was he planning? Leaving his seat she saw the glint of a blade on his hip, how troublesome…

On the outside of the room, it became… too quiet, a bit too suspiciously quiet, where was all the noise and laughter? The chattering of people from before? It was as if the world had been paused, and Laya had been isolated from what was happening surrounding her, confined in the dark and gloomy hallway.

Footsteps… the quick paced steps towards where she was, did whoever lured her lady do this? To pressure her lady into submission by threatening her? A lowly trick truly but it’s not like she couldn’t deal with it.

“You’ve messed with the wrong sort of people…” she mumbled, staring at the group of people who had just arrived, armed in weapons, signaling to each other to deal with her.

Closing her eyes for a minute before opening them again, a friend in arms had arrived to assist her in battle, as the assassins made their first move she blocked their attacks and swung her dagger at them, her lady wouldn’t mind a bit of blood being spilled as the price of safety, right?

“Laya stop getting distracted for Pete’s sake!!” snapped out of her worries and thoughts her mind returns to the scene in front of her, right, she was still fighting.

“Right, 3 o’clock, Xuxa!” steel clashed against each other, blood stained on the clothes of her comrade in arm.

Xuxa Sawada

Assassin of the Inase

Hydrangea

Faced with annoyance from her clothes being stained with blood, Xuxa huffed in anger before pulling a standard glock and the first shots were heard. Inside of the room, Palustris frowns hearing the fired shots and immediately looks at the woman drinking tea as if she wasn’t even in danger. On the other hand, the woman was mentally scolding herself and her subordinates for using a gun and creating such a scene.

“It seems your subordinates are having fun,” she wished she could savor that frowning expression a bit longer, but oh well “When are you planning to return the thing that belongs to the Tsubaki family?”

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific, Palustris.” smiling in an innocent way she threw the cup of tea she was drinking at him, which he dodge gracefully much to her dismay “One man’s trash is another’s treasure, if the Tsubaki had lost it and the Inase has found it you really shouldn’t pursue it.”

“Well then, looks like you don’t want to clear these resentments anytime soon” for someone who was born in a time of peace yet grew up ensuing chaos, Palustirs truly was a hypocrite to think he can just “clear up resentment” after what the Tsubaki family did.

“Don’t act like you didn't start this war,” cold metal on her neck and the handle in his hand, this wasn't the first time they had done this “It will only end when one of the two has paid their price.”

A burst from the door revealed Laya and Xuxa having wounds and cuts on their clothes, seeing her being momentarily distracted. Palustris tried to press the blade deeper into her neck but had only managed to draw a small amount of blood before she stabbed him with a second knife.

“In blood…” he winced in pain at being caught off guard. He didn’t expect the woman to carry a weapon of her own, he has to note that down.

He wasn't going to die from a wound like that, but he was going to get distracted by it and that was all she needed to move away from him. As soon as he got distracted she immediately ran away to her attendants waiting outside, noticing their spacing out faces, she snapped her fingers in front of their dazed faces waking them from their daydream.

“Where’s the clean up team? Don’t tell me you both forgot to call them.” but just as she finished her words there were a few people who showed up.

“Apologies~, My lady.” pink hair and an oddly cheerful attitude, he might not look like someone who would work for a place like this but who’s going to say otherwise?

William

Clean up team

Lilacs

“Stop fooling around,” William winces as his partner hits his back, reminding him to respect the person in front of them. “We’ll start immediately, just leave the work to us, My lady.”

Kaiyo Azuma

Clean up team

Delphinium

Kaiyo and William went into the room where the injured Palustris once was, however there only remained a dagger with blood, seeing that the woman and her attendants left, paying no more attention and left the Clean up to do their job. It looks like… the war is only going to get more and more brutal.

With each step they took the smell of blood became stronger and stronger, the woman turned around and gave a stern look at Xuxa and Laya, the two could only awkwardly avoid her gaze and continue walking. Men and women alike, they were all assassins… under the guise of a blissful night.

‘It wasn’t supposed to end in a bloodbath.’ the woman silently thought to herself, but what could be done at this point? There was no use beating herself up for not being able to save one of her people, she had hundreds of others she had to protect under her wing, it seems she can’t afford to play it safe anymore.

‘I went… too far.’ Laya awkwardly stared at the dead fish eyes of the dead assassins by her feet, the woman in front of her definitely was not pleased. She didn’t mean to just kill everyone since she was supposed to capture some back for interrogation, it was a requirement to bring back people who work for enemy or suspicious groups.

‘Tch, this stain…’ Xuxa hissed at the blood stain parts of her clothes, she knew that her job involved a lot of spilling but really hates it when it stains her clothes like this, she’ll have to meet with Latilfolious for something to remove the stains with.

Latifolius (or Modern Alkaid)

Head of the Inase’s Apothecary

Lilac

Leaving the building as though a mass homicide didn’t happen, the group entered a nearby carriage back to their home, the Inase. A place on the outside seemed like any other brothel or tea houses in the red light district, it really didn’t help that the Inase was indeed famous for its courtesans.

However beneath the flowery visage and honey-like dreams, it was also the home to the lost and found, the grapevine of information, and the bane of one's existence. To call it a ”house” would be wrong as the Inase itself was more or less its own red light district, it had its own rules and its own hierarchy, break those rules and the order of the Inase and you might find a fate worse than death.

“To the Nightless Wing please.” A woman in black spoke to the coachmen, the group looked at the stranger who turned out to be one of them.

“You gave us a jumpscare.” The gray haired woman only laughed in return, greeting the group.

“Any new kamuros?” the woman asked looking in the eye of the recruiter sitting opposite to her, the gray haired woman seemingly zoning out at the scene outside of the window snapped out of her day dreaming.

“The batch for this recruitment is… quite disappointing” she complained to the woman who seemingly nods, all seeds are the same upon first look, perhaps its sapling stage can help determine its quality.

Nephila Lonaris Alwyn

Recruiter/Assassin of the Inase

Hydrangea

“My lady, don’t you think we should stop buying new children?” Nephila asked the woman, there wasn’t a strain on the funds for the Inase with the amount of children being sold into the red light district, however there was no space to house them, the woman only laughed in return.

“Worried about their living space now, are we?” After sitting in silence for a while, the woman gave her final verdict on the matter. “The surrounding businesses…”

“Excuse me?” The woman stared outside and let out a long sigh, maybe it was the fact she saw herself in those children that was why she bought them in the first place.

“The business owners have been wanting to hire employees yet no one was willing to work for them because of their affiliation with us,” a way to tackle the situation “Send the ones unwilling to work as kamuros for the courtesans, I’m sure we have plenty judging by the number of run away children.”

Whilst in the middle of planning on how to deal with the Onna’s impulsive buying records and the tears of the financial recorders who planned a rebellion by sulking in their work corners, a figure from a far stares in contempt. Slowly blending in the crowd and approaching the busy streets, they pushed a child in front of the horse carriage making it nearly hit the child.

Xuxa who was momentarily distracted by her thoughts snapped out of it the moment she heard of the commotion happening outside, it was chaos, but luckily enough the child was not injured being saved by a man with navy hair. It seems wherever they go there’s always something dangerous lurking around the corner to try and bring them down.

“Thank you, thank you so much!” A mother held her shaken up child thanking the man profusely before taking her child away.

“Back from your mission already?” He didn’t reply, but just by looking at him the others knew the mission wasn’t the reason why he was here.

Solanum (Eden Clarence)

Spy of the Inase

Lilac

“…” he seemed to be looking for something, his eyes darted around in the crowded streets, after a while he spotted a blond boy amongst the crowd “Did you manage to catch the perpetrator?”

Vincent Ainsley

Spy of the Inase

Lilac

“They were too fast..” Vincent mumbled as he walked towards the carriage and slips in a dirty letter “However I did manage to pick this up from that person, my lady.”

From within the carriage the woman frowned at the waste of time and harshly took the letter, signaling to the coachman to go on, they will capture the perpetrator later for now they have to return to the ‘Nightless Wing’.

Curiously Laya and Nephila stared at the letter, they were curious to see what was inside however it didn’t seem like the appropriate time to ask seeing as the woman had started to grow tired the longer she stayed in the carriage.

The trip back to their final destination had no more problems nor incidents to be dealt with, however, what they did not expect was for the skies to burn a bright red, the air hot and harsh and sounds of shouting and screaming.

Fire, from unknown sources, has started to spread and burn down the restaurant that they were supposed to arrive at. How did this happen not even once cross their mind as they had no choice but to focus on putting out the flames.

“My lady!!” Someone shouted in a panic catching the woman’s attention, as she turned to look at a small fish tank that had somehow landed in her hands, knocking her to the grounds.

Jumping from his aquatic tank up and down shaking the water, the older woman furiously yanks the creature from the waters and gives him a stern look.

Lobster Tail

Accountant of the Inase

Lilac

Under her stern look the Lobster settled down, the woman dropped the animal back into his tank before deciding to give orders to the surrounding people.

“The people in the building?” Putting the fish tank down near the injured patients, the woman started to run towards the burning building.

“Most of everyone got out, the cook’s daughter is still inside.” The shouting grew as more and more gathered to stop the fire, Xuxa and Laya went to assist the people in carrying the injured.

“We got her out!” As soon as the young child was brought out, she was immediately reunited with her parents, but there was no time to care for them as all attention went back to the blazing building.

“Laya, are there any dead?” Things seem to be in control for now as everyone who was originally in the building has left it, the fire still burning as strong as ever.

“None, although many have suffered injuries.” Laya sighed as she picked up Lobster who somehow had escaped his tank.

“Call for the apothecaries immediately!”

Sitting in a makeshift tent the woman looked at the letter from earlier, the fire had started to die with the sudden rain. This was definitely no coincidence… someone had caused it.

But there was a problem, there was no evidence since everything was burnt away, anyone who was in the building was recuperating due to heavy injuries, no eye witness, no left over evidence… nothing.

There hasn’t been a hate crime like this one for a very long time, and such an orchestrated one as well… maybe it wasn’t a crime and just a bunch of coincidences lined up like one.

Head heavy from the incident, the woman opened the letter… it’s words written in blood.

“An eye for an eye

Your words which lead me to my bitter end

Burn away I shall

Along with the world you built under the moonlit sky”

Staring at the letter her mind began to dig up old memories, seemingly remembering that hand writing, the way they used blood instead of ink, and who they were, alive after so much time, were they… the same person who burnt the ’Nightless wing’ down?

From the corner of her eye a girl of her age appeared, one of her courtesan’s future successors, kamuro, walked in with a neatly wrapped and covered in red, however this doesn’t seem to be from her courtesan sister.

Lumina Andersen

Kamuro

Delphinium

“My lady, someone from the fire incident was found missing,” an innocent outsider to the war of the underground business, however it seems many shall be affected just because they were involved with the Inase, like the kamuro who knew nothing in front of her “this was found in the burnt down building as well”

“So who disappeared?” Hovering the letter above the flame and burning away the threat to her people, even if it did nothing she couldn’t care less at this point.

“We haven’t identified who was missing yet, my lady” her attention turned to the box sitting in front of her, the only thing that survived while almost everything burned down.

Maybe she should have sent the kamuro away, maybe she shouldn’t have been so hasty to open Pandora’s box, but the head in front of her now seems to remind her that there might be more than one party involved in this fiasco.

Hollowed out eyes was a signature style of the Haruki family, the Inase though had many enemies also made alliances with others as well, the Haruki family was one of them… she’s confused, so many suspects yet no evidence, the head of the headless corpse from before in front of her, taunting her like a puzzle.

“I supposed I visited at the right time,” aquamarine eyes with an unreadable face, the two turned towards the intruder who smiled meeting their gaze “It seems you’ll be needing our assistance soon?”

“ Unfortunately yes…” she had hoped never to work with or at least meet him again, the infamous blond devil of the officers.

Abrus

Aka the Consul

Head Detective

“I’m curious to see how you will handle this situation,” another letter given but dyed in the red color of blood, how eerie…

Reverie/Norie

Onna kachō

???

Second chapter preview!

“You’re so undeserving of being so close to her,” ???’s blade dragged across the boy’s skin, it burns… the heat searing scars and wounds into his flesh “Why you and not me?”

“Why do others get to see that gentle side but never me?” the knife plunged into his abdomen making him scream out in pain, but ??? only buried it deeper… as though ??? wanted him dead.

#Lbc #for all time #clarence #alkaid #♡|fics by author #originally characters

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