#i'm so tired.... i can't do this... Lord why am i on this earth only to have to hate everything my heart wants? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

randomshyperson · 2 years

Text

Rulers of The Multiverse - Wanda Maximoff x Reader - Chapter Fourteen

Summary: Strange’s faulty spell will cause a series of unexpected events, from your reunion with the love of your life in another world to the appearance of a child capable of traveling across the multiverse. This story follows the journey of a very tired Guardian alongside mischievous America Chavez and Scarlet Witch.

Warnings: (+18) explicit language and sexual content, violence, a lot of magic, found family, mentions of abusive past and trauma, mind control, use of illicit substances, mostly top!reader, soulmates analogies. || Words: 6.481k

General Masterlist | AO3 | Wattpad | Series Masterlist

A/N-> I can't believe we are reaching the ending already, so glad for all the reviews so far. A lot of you were worried I would kill Wanda, i almost feel offended haha I hope it's not so confusing to read about Wanda and her variant, just remember that one it's a redhead. Good reading everyone!!

--//--

Chapter Fourteen - Inevitable - Part One

Earth-012S - Before

Wanda stared into the mirror with boredom in her expression. It was not her own reflection she stared back at, but a distorted image of a demon - who had been whining for almost forty minutes.

"[...] Your incompetence continues to impress me, Miss Maximoff." Chthon teased as a last resort, seeing the way the witch wasn't even paying attention. The attempted offense caused a small smile to appear in the corner of the other, who crossed her legs in her chair.

"My incompetence?" She repeated with mock debauchery in her voice, defiance shining in her gaze. "And what are your complaints, my lord?"

The title came loaded with sarcasm, but neither she nor Chthon wavered in their postures. The image of him became sharper in his demon form.

"I keep giving you all the answers you need, and yet, you keep failing." Reminded the demon, his figure circling in the room's reflection, "I wonder if it's not time to choose another variant, one that spends less time on jewelry and more time doing their job!" He charges between teeth, and Wanda gives a hoarse little laugh, raising one of her hands to her chin.

The golden bracelet with the five infinity stones glows in the low light of the room.

"Tell me, oh all-powerful Lord of Chaos, how infuriating is it to be limited to a phantom dimension?" Wanda teases as she stands up. "You must be so frustrated without new toys."

"Do not test my patience, witch." Retorts the god angrily. "Don't forget who you're talking to."

But Wanda only gives another hoarse giggle, moving to reach for the wine jug beside the mirror.

"The mighty god of chaos, banished by his own siblings to a dimension that bores him. I have goosebumps." She mocks and bites back a smile as the god squirms - the whole room shaking and a crack appearing in the glass - through the witch, doesn't flinch an inch.

"When I am free, I will rip your head off and display it as a trophy, you dirty witch-"

"That's why we have issues, my lord." Wanda cuts in, raising one of her hands and taking a long sip of wine afterwards. "It's always the same of the same thing. You cuss, and I cuss, and then you give me some bad clue and try to guilt-trip me into doing your dirty work, and the cycle repeats. It's getting boring, don't you think? Why don't you just tell me where she is."

"Because I don't know!" Chthon shouts impatiently. Taking a deep breath, he tries to calm himself down. "She got out of my influence, it was the guardian I'm sure. I don't know where they are, and you're too stupid to find them!"

"Your lies get in my way, Chthon." Wanda cuts in with coolness, one hand studying the gleaming stones. "I've been turning worlds over after what you asked me for, and all your clues have led me to dead ends. I proved myself worthy of all that power long ago."

Chthon gives a wry laugh. "Worthy? All humans are unworthy of ancient magic, Wanda Maximoff. Our agreement is a mere testament to my benevolence, and you are wearing out my patience. I suggest you find the Guardian before I find another witch." Declares the god seriously, and Wanda clenches her jaw, staring back at him until the image falters, and her red eyes are the only reflection.

Earth-012S - Present

Wanda felt her whole body ache all at once. She could feel the grass scratching her face, and hear the muffled sounds of footsteps, voices, and something like electricity.

She watched as you were thrown into the magical portal, and forced herself to sit up as she saw the knight turn in her direction.

You couldn't be dead, because she could actually feel you everywhere.

"Y/N." She called out once, twice. Until the Knight stood in front of her, sword in hand. Her chest was aching, she had felt the blade before, but now, all she could feel was the wetness and the itch.

"How are you still alive, witch?" The knight questioned in a frustrated grumble, sword trembling between the fingers. "Is this some other of your illusions?" She shouted demandingly. Wanda lowered her head to her own wound, bloody fingers in front of her. But the cut was practically closed.

"Kill her! End this at once!" Someone shouted from the other side - Wanda was going to call it the female and equally show-off version of Steve Rogers with a British shield - to the Knight. But the figure was still hesitant.

"I sense Chthon in you. No more tricks, Wanda. This the end of the line." She declares before straightening her sword. And as she moves forward, scarlet magic holds the blade in the air.

"Now it's my turn." Wanda retorts, her magic expelling the sword away out of the knight's hand as other waves spring up from the ground, moving the roots until they lock onto her opponent's ankles and legs, forcing her to the ground.

The others barely have time to realize what is happening before the same magic envelops them, squeezing and straggling them to the limit - a warning not to try to fight.

Wanda presses the wound, now closed, for a second of confusion before she stands up properly and approaches the imprisoned Knight.

"Where is my family?" she asks earnestly and impatiently, watching the Knight struggle against the roots.

"If you're going to kill me, do it at once!" She retorts angrily. "Don't turn me into one of them!"

Wanda tilts her head, raising her hand to their helmet. The knight struggles, trying to pull the face away, but with a flick of her fingers, the metal begins to shatter until it falls to the ground.

"Y/N." Wanda gasps in surprise as she meets your face, a hard, angry expression, but still you. A few years older perhaps. A huge, deep scar on your right eye, to which she extends her fingers to. "How... what-"

"Don't play innocent with me!" Your variant shouted back, never ceasing to fight against the roots that were getting tighter by the second. "I can feel it, witch! I don't know how you fooled the sword, but I will find another way to kill you!"

Wanda took her eyes from the struggling figure to the fallen sword a few feet away. She used her roots to bring the item close, looking at it curiously.

"I felt the hit, I just don't understand how..."

"How did it not die? Neither do I!" Cut the irritated knight. "It was a trick of your dirty god, I'm sure of it! Let me go, Wanda! Let's have a fair fight for once. Without a sword and without your stones! Face me as an equal at least once!"

Wanda blinks in confusion at the whole thing. "My stones?" She asks and the Knight hesitates a bit as she lets her gaze run down.

"The infinity stones... Did you take them off? B-but..."

Wanda sighs, shaking her head. "Y/N, I'm not the one you're looking for."

"But..." The knight hesitates confusion in her eyes before the anger returns. "Lies! I feel Chthon on you!"

Wanda sighs impatiently, looking around for some clue as to America's whereabouts or the version of you she should be looking for.

The van has had its trunk pretty much wrecked. Something had hit it so hard that it had opened a crater in the road, and when she saw the formation, she realized that it looked a lot like the cut of something, and it was not easy to deduce that it came from the sword.

Turning her attention to the item again, the roots moved the blade to her eye height, and Wanda raised her fingers to the glowing item.

"If you are going to use it to kill me, know that it will hurt you too." The Knight warns between teeth, causing Wanda to frown. "You are not worthy to wield it."

"I would never hurt you, Y/N." Wanda retorts as if it were obvious, receiving an incredulous, tired laugh in return. Rather than insist, she traces her fingers across the blade, sighing softly as she recognizes her magic in it. "I can feel...you."

The knight grimaced. "Of course, you can, it's my sword."

Wanda sighs impatiently, pushing these curiosities away as she moves closer to the knight again, placing her hands behind the back of your neck. "Forgive me, dorogaya, I know you hate it, but I need to find your other version and our kid." That's the only warning before Wanda uses her magic to enter the variant's mind.

It is messy and heavily fortified. Much more so than any other mind, she has ever entered. She can feel the magic fighting against hers, pushing her out. And for a second she thinks she felt a third force, perhaps Chthon trying to overpower her again, before she gets anything really useful. A hiding place in some kind of temple.

She left her variant's head with a gasping sigh, blinking as she met your confused and oh-so-familiar eyes.

"You are not the Wanda I seek." The knight sighs affectedly. "But Chthon has you, too."

"No, detka." Wanda assures gently, one hand going to the cheek of the woman in front of her. "What you feel is not Chthon. You just feel my Chaos magic. I am the Scarlet Witch."

The Knight struggles against the roots in desperation. "No! Get out of here! Don't let her find you!"

Wanda frowns in confusion, but the Knight doesn't stop fighting until the roots start to hurt. "Please, Wanda! Don't look for her, leave this world now! Before she finds you!"

"I have to find-"

"She wants your magic!" The knight cut in desperation. "She wants it, and she'll do anything to get it! There can't be another forge, if she has you it will be a matter of time before she finds the guardian-"

"You are the guardian!" Wanda interrupts, surprising the other, "Or, well, your variant. Which you just threw into a portal."

The knight shakes her head in panic. "No." She gasps, and grunts at the roots. "Let me go! I sent her straight to it, we need to run. She can't get to your Y/N!"

Wanda hesitates, but it's you. And she is running out of options.

"Don't try to kill me again." She warns before the roots go slack. The knight falls to her knees but doesn't stay on the ground for more than two minutes, picking up her sword and getting up.

As soon as the other two girls are free, she is conjuring a portal.

"Now we get to work with the enemy?" It is Captain England who asks Wanda suspiciously, but the Knight gives a short laugh.

"Careful, Peggy. She's the Scarlet Witch, that pretty much makes her your queen." That's the response before your variant pats the surprised woman on the shoulder to encourage her to enter the portal, being accompanied by the other older witch. Before Wanda enters, the Knight touches her arm. "Forgive me for the hit, I thought-"

"It's all right." Wanda interrupts with a lopsided smile. "Let's just get this mess over with soon. I want to find, well, you."

The knight gives a small smile. "Sure, but another thing... If my eyes turn red, and it's not you, aim to kill."

Wanda swallows dryly, but her variant beckons her to enter the portal, and she just decides better to obey.

—--------

“[...] So, in this universe, Wanda snapped her fingers instead of Thanos?" You asked Erik - who had spent the last few minutes explaining to you about that universe in what you came to call the little headquarters.

The cell you were in was in Darkhold's castle, Wundagore Mountain, and according to Erik, it was the most efficient location for what the group had been planning for months.

"Exactly, Miss L/N." Erik agreed with a nod, and you resisted the urge to correct him about your last name. "The second time we needed to face the Mad Titan, someone needed to snap their fingers to wipe out his army. But Wanda..."

"Switched sides." Natasha interrupts the story with a scowl, bringing out what looked like destroyed traps. Erik sighs.

"Romanoff, it wasn't like that."

"Or pardon me, Magneto, what would you call what the lady did later with her own people?"

You frowned in confusion. "Her people?"

Nat laughed humorlessly. "Mutants." She clarified. "Wanda didn't stop after Thanos. We had a plan, to use the stones to stop the titan, and destroy them after. But she grew fond of the power. When the fight was over, no one else could find her, not the stones, not even your body."

You widen your eyes. "M-my body?"

"Look, cutie, the reason Pietro was impressed with your affection for the witch is that after what happened to our Wanda and your variant, she went completely berserk. She used some kind of magic to travel between worlds and murder as many versions of you as possible."

You swallowed hard, glancing quickly at America, but the girl was busy with one of the others in the corner of the room and away from the conversation. "But why would Wanda, um, kill me?"

"We don't know exactly, but it must be because you are the only one who can stop her." Erik continues the story. "Look, Y/N, in this world, my daughter and you had a difficult relationship. Opposing natures in your abilities caused a certain conflict between you. It was a surprise when the conflict turned into love. But you, well, there is no easy way to say it. You died protecting the Mind Stone."

"But it was no use, because Thanos already had the Time Stone, and he only needed to rewind it to get all five." Natasha says, her hands working on the broken traps. "Half the population blipped, and Wanda with them. Thanos prevented your death by using the Stone, but you grew different without her. When we brought everyone back, you and I..." Natasha hesitates, clearing her throat. "We needed to make a sacrifice. One soul for another. And well, you gave yours. I used the iron armor to get your body, and it wasn't an easy thing. But I couldn't leave you in that place..."

You look at them in surprise, but the redhead just sighs wearily before speaking again.

"So when Wanda came back from the blip, she found out that you had sacrificed yourself, once again, for the greater good or whatever other cheesy shit you used to say." Nat continues. "We held a funeral for you, tried to move on. But suddenly, things started getting pretty weird."

"Wanda isolated herself after she ran off with the stones. She came here, in this castle to study the darkhold." Erik takes over the story. "It was Pietro who found her first, and he only got out alive because he was smart enough to pretend to believe the fantasy she created here."

You look at them expecting them to complete, but it is Pietro who steps forward.

"Imagine this place completely different, Y/N. Like a real castle, with fine tapestries and shelves of gold. It was like walking into a fairy tale, nothing like those moldy walls or that cold. I entered through the front door, and was welcomed by you." Pietro recounts. "Wanda used the stones to restore everything, and create a fake life. But everything was fragile and untruthful, she could not go far from the castle, nor you, nor..."

"Your daughters." Erik continues, and you widen your eyes. "Two little girls also made with magic. It was a perfect fairy tale. But it was destroying that reality from the inside out."

"Me or the guys who can't move things with their minds had no chance of stopping her, especially with the stones and all the power she gathered while being here." Natasha counters with a grimace. "So the sorcerers and her people tried."

"And Wanda snapped her fingers again." Pietro completes with a sad sigh. "She refused to move on, and with just a simple wish, all the mutants were gone."

"But you and Erik are still here." You comment as soon as you recover from the shock, and receive a humorless chuckle from the older man.

"Yes, and I should thank you for that." Erik retorts. "The Sword that your variant carries, has the power to cut between realities. You left Wanda, broke free of her command, and dragged a few of us into another universe. And as we tried to make our way back, we discovered what our Wanda was doing. Killing her way out to get to the version of you that can help her get what she really wants."

"She wants it to be real." You mutter in shock. "That's it isn't it?"

All three nod in agreement. Natasha speaks first:

"Your betrayal has shaken her, that was our guess. Because she brought you back to life and you, well, went behind her back and did the right thing." She says. "But then, when your variant explained to us about your magics, and about who you were, it all made sense."

"Not even the five infinity stones can create life, Y/N." Erik says. "Wanda needed ancient magic, and this place taught her all about it. The problem is that there can only be one Scarlet Witch, and she was not the one chosen."

"So she wants to steal my Wanda's magic?"

Erik nods. "And yours too."

"Mine?" you exclaim in confusion.

"Order Magic and Chaos Magic, when combined, create life." He explains. "It would make her daughters real, it could even bring you truly back to life."

"So the knight version of me, is like a living dead person?"

"Something like that." Natasha comments running a hand over her neck. "I think it's in the middle. The blessing of the goddess of order and the soul stone keeps you grounded, probably. We don't know exactly how it works, but what matters is that you are standing, trying to bring the mutants back and stop your ex-wife."

You sigh loudly, getting up. Your body is hurting a little, but that will have to wait for later.

"Okay, that was a lot. But I need to find my Wanda, so tell me what I can help with?"

Natasha and Erik exchange quick glances. "You stay behind, we've been practicing this for a long time for new changes." That' is what the mutant declares, making you exclaim impatiently.

"What? No, I'm going to help!"

"Miss L/N, you can't even use your magic properly-"

"It is Miss Maximoff, and my magic is fine!" You retort, electric wires coming out of your fingers. "I'm going to find your daughter, both versions, and put an end to this big mess. And then I'm going to pack up my car and leave this universe!"

Natasha hides a giggle, impressed by Magneto's speechlessness. You step aside to walk over to America.

"Hey kiddo, come here a sec." You ask pulling her into a corner. "I want to ask you to stay behind."

America frowns immediately. "What, but I want to-"

"Help, I know." You interrupt her with a sad smile. "But, you're like, super important to me okay? And I don't want you to be in danger. And we've arrived in a world where it's gotten really bad really fast, and we're dealing with something way worse than crawling monsters, and I'm not going to risk you."

"But Y/N..."

"America, promise me something." You say looking into her eyes. "If things get worse, you will open a portal and you will leave this world. And you won't look back."

She immediately denies it with her head, her eyes filling with tears. "No, I'm not leaving you."

"Please, kiddo, listen to me." You insist, swallowing your emotion to speak seriously. " You know that I care about Wanda. Very deeply. And fighting her is not going to be the same as fighting someone else. I can't guarantee that..." You cut yourself off, taking a deep breath. "She's not like another enemy, I would never want to hurt her. And maybe, in this world, I need to. And if I fail, I don't want you to be put in danger. So you need to promise that you will stay safe, while I search for our Wanda to be back."

America hesitates, but then hugs you tight, and you want to believe that she will obey.

"Well, it's time, so if you're going to help, move." Natasha breaks the momentum as she approaches, two rifles - visually encrusted with magic by the electrical markings on the tips - at her back. The group moves very quickly.

And you bid America farewell at the cell door. "Remember, Chavez. Things have gotten ugly..."

"Portal to another world." She completes, hugging you one last time before you turn away.

Natasha guides the group through the dark corridors. You realize through the windows of the castle that there is some sort of event going on outside.

"Those are the Chaos Worshippers." Pietro whispers to you as you make your sneaky way. "They're like henchmen."

"Oh, right." You mutter, and as soon as you meet up with the first group around the hall, you realize that Natasha and the others are using the fireworks to cover the noises of gunfire.

A moment later, something occurs to you.

"Hey, Pietro, you didn't tell me where to...?" But you keep silent because you are alone in the cold hallway. Your body tenses immediately, and it only gets worse when a giggle sounds in your ears, the sound all too familiar.

"You know what the most fun part of time loops is?" Asks the female voice that makes you close your eyes for a second. "No one ever realizes they are in one."

You watch the illusion of the hallway dissipate around you, turning into a destroyed large room.

"What have you done with them?" You ask into the room, not knowing where the witch was yet, not being able to sense her.

"They are experiencing that ridiculous day again. Over and over." She replies. "This pathetic attack on the worshippers. It was very foolish of them to think I wouldn't find out they were in my own house, don't you think, Detka?"

You swallow dryly at the nickname, but the woman laughs softly again, and a moment later, you look forward, and she is stepping out of the shadows.

Always, absolutely stunning, in every universe. It's unfair, to say the least. You sigh deeply, trying to remember everything you've been told.

Bad Wanda.

Bad yet fucking pretty Wanda.

"I finally found you, Y/N." She says with a short smile, her brunette hair cascading down her shoulders, her red outfit completely dominated by the darkhold marks and making you swallow dryly.

"I hope you're not disappointed." You manage to tease with a small smile, trying not to despair at the thought of America.

Wanda smiles, her eyes glowing red. "I kinda miss the scar, but you're still beautiful."

You give a confused laugh, "Scar?"

"Mm-hmm." Wanda murmurs, moving leisurely around, her fingers lighting the chandeliers one by one until you are able to make out the great hall you are in, and the statues on the walls. The largest of them, in the center, makes you swallow dry because it is exactly like the one on your back. "Didn't you get one in your universe? Here, it was a heartbreaking story. Little Sammy didn't want his sister to embarrass him at training so he decided to teach her a lesson."

You frowned. "My brother?"

Wanda bit back a smile, watching you intently. "Oh, you know him, then."

"Of course I do!" You retort. "My brother would never hurt me!"

Wanda gives a wicked little laugh, shaking her head. She crosses her arms, one hand brought to her chin, and you flinch as you notice the bracelet with the stones. "It's fascinating how stories change between universes, don't you think, darling? Your Samuel wouldn't hurt you, while in this world, hurting you was all he ever did."

You swallow dryly, trying to think of what to do next. Wanda seems to immediately realize your idea of buying time, and closes her fist, wrapping you in a magical chain in the blink of an eye that makes you grunt in pain.

"But I lied to you, dear." She comments as she approaches you. "The scar was much smaller before I ripped the stone from your eye."

“W-what?”

You grunt in confusion, being dragged across the room without difficulty by the thick, painful chains.

"Oh, yes, you asked me to, sweetheart." Wanda retorts, leading the way to a stone table. "You said it was time and that only I had the power to do it. Thanos could not have the Stone ‘cause it wouldn’t be fair for all those people to die. But it was alright, right, dear, since I could never hurt you, could I?"

You swallow dryly, trying to struggle against the chains to no avail, and soon, you are pinned to the stone table. Wanda sighs softly, as she approaches, leaning toward you until the hand holding the stones is caressing your cheek.

"So I put a hole in your face to destroy the stone, and I killed you for nothing." Wanda tells without a hint of emotion in her voice, though you can make out the tears in her red irises. "And when Thanos brought you back, what happened, kukolka?"

"You were blipped." You answer, your breath hitching as you feel Wanda trace her black fingers to your throat, and can hear the fabric of your t-shirt being torn. "A-and I sacrificed myself for the Soul Stone to bring everyone back wasn't it?"

"Funny thing." Wanda comments as she licks her lips, your torn shirt flying away into the distance, and her hand going down to your stomach. "Since you gave your soul, no matter how many times I snapped my fingers, you wouldn't come back to me. Not entirely. Always a whisper, a shadow."

"Perhaps it would be better to let me go." You suggest breathlessly, and Wanda gives a short chuckle. Your smile fades as you feel a deep pain in your abdomen as if your skin is tearing and burning. The surrounding candles burst into flames, and Wanda sighs deeply.

"The worst part about these toys, Y/N, is how fragile they are." Wanda mutters as she moves her hands away from you - stained with blood now - and nods to her own wrist with the stones. "No matter how many times I changed the fantasy, it never stopped being a lie. And we deserve better than a lie, don't you think, darling?"

You didn't answer, because suddenly it became hard to breathe. Your body began to burn, and spasm and your eyes began to glow golden. Wanda watched the scene with fascination, leaning toward you again, and whispering in your ear:

"Find them for me, dear." She commands. "So I can make things right for us again."

—-----

Wanda can feel Chthon in the walls. Still, he doesn't speak to her. There is only a low rumble of a laugh, a teasing. As if he knows she is there but doesn't recognize her only to leave the uncomfortable feeling beneath her skin.

Your variant brought her into an open room, some kind of hiding place. It was full of people, working with boxes of weapons or objects she didn't know about.

They seemed to be planning something big.

Peggy and the witch from before came out in front, the captain went straight to the front of an electronic map of a structure that resembled a castle.

"Where are we?" Wanda asked the knight, who offered her a tired sigh.

"The resistance." She replied. "What's left of the Avengers, Mutants, and Sorcerers of this world. All working to end the Witch's dominance."

Wanda crossed her arms in discomfort. It wasn't her, but it was still a version of her that had started some kind of tyrannical dictatorship. She decided to stick around your variant, it was the most familiar thing she had there.

"Any sign of them, Peggy?" Asked the knight to Peggy who still had her attention on the map.

"No, Y/N, we're the same. No return officially for four weeks." Says the captain sadly. Your variant sighs in frustration, and Wanda asks what's wrong.

"A group has gone AWOL on a planned offensive." Answers the woman, and seemed a bit hesitant to continue, but at Wanda's glance, she sighed. "Among them, Wanda's brother."

"Pietro?" She exclaims in shock. "He...he's alive?"

"Well, we don't know." Peggy cuts in with a certain sarcasm. "It was risky to attack, but we planned it for months. And when it finally happened, it was as if the whole group just disappeared. I wouldn't doubt that she snapped her fingers again and-"

"I wouldn't hurt him." Wanda interrupts seriously and doesn't flinch from Peggy's stare. "Never. In any world. He's my twin."

"Well, in any case, he's gone. Along with some other soldiers quite valuable to us." Peggy still clearly doesn't believe Wanda. "We're preparing an infiltration mission, to at least find out if your variant is even still inside the castle-"

"She's inside." The knight cuts in. "I can feel her. But that doesn't mean she hasn't left."

The knight nods for Wanda to follow her to the other corner, where there are several note boards to which she nods.

"The Darkhold castle is the place where the God of Chaos prescribed the book of the damned. All the teachings are on the walls. There is a spell that allows a witch to transmit the consciousness to another version of themselves throughout the universe." Explains the woman. "It is how my-our Wanda has traveled between worlds and done so much damage. I, on the other hand, can only go physically, by using Oshur's sword to cut my way between the rifts of the worlds. And it's exhausting for someone in my condition."

"What condition?" Wanda asks.

"I am dead." The knight replies making Wanda's eyes widen. "There is much you do not know..."

"We don't have time for stories, Y/N." The elder witch with the staff cuts in, approaching Wanda. "Let me show you the truth, and we can continue to fight."

She allows the witch into her mind after exchanging a look of confirmation with your variant. And in a second, she sees everything that happened there. It overwhelms her, all the pain and suffering.

"Excuse me, I need... a moment." She asks quickly not wanting to have a panic attack in front of so many strangers.

She ends up in a hallway, her hand on her stomach and her forehead against the wall. There is a small improvised bathroom to her right, and she is grateful for the sink.

Memories of the witch flash in her eyes - ugly fights, the image of herself killing all those sorcerers, holding the bracelet, holding your body....”

"Sorry about that." The voice of your Variant makes Wanda jump in fright. She meets the eyes so familiar and yet so different in the reflection, as the variant approaches with a small smile. "They're not good at trusting strangers, especially if the stranger has the same face as the enemy."

Wanda gives a short laugh, turning around, her hands holding up her sinks. "It's okay, I can hardly imagine how hard it must be to look at me and not see so much death."

Your variant hesitates, taking up the free space on the wall. "I'm sorry, Wanda." That's what she says, and Wanda only forces a smile, averting her eyes to her own feet. "If it's any consolation, I don't just see death when I look at you."

"And what do you see?" Wanda asks raising her gaze again and getting a small smile in return.

"I just see you."

Wanda looks away again, a short laugh escaping. "Yeah, I don't know what that means."

"I guess we'll find out." Your variant comments and Wanda sighs, brushing a strand of hair out of the front of her face.

"What's the plan?" She asks, deciding that she has already spent too long thinking about things when she should be meeting you and America. Your variant gives a soft chuckle.

"Well, the plan was to investigate the large, unknown, magical energy emission that appeared in Dragorin, and try not to lose anyone else along the way." The knight countered by crossing one of her arms. "And of course, the main mission of preventing the witch from finding both the Guardian and the Scarlet Witch, but apparently, we've already blown a stage."

"Where did you send her?" Wanda questions and your variant lets out a guilty sigh.

"To an abandoned cell in the eastern area." She replies. "I figured your Y/N was under the witch's control, and I wasn't going to send her straight to us. But it's an old hiding place, and she'll probably find it eaten. The little girl too."

Wanda lets out a relieved sigh. "Okay, let's go there then."

The knight frowns. "That's not how we do things-"

But Wanda cuts in with a short laugh. "Look, I don't mean to be disrespectful to all the fighting and planning, but, I've dealt with the infinity stones before. And chaos magic is endlessly superior. You guys don't have to worry about-

"It's not you I worry about." Variant cuts in with a seriousness that makes Wanda swallow dryly. "That version of you wiped out a population with a snap of the fingers. The stones may not be as powerful as ancient magic, but they do bad damage. The Scarlet Witch can survive a lot, but we have soldiers who don't count on the same luck."

Wanda presses her lips together. "Fine, I'll go alone then." Wanda declares but when she turns around, your variant holds her wrist.

"Please, Wanda, listen to me." She asks more gently now. "I dare not underestimate your mastery or magical power, but I am talking about a version of you that has been absorbing knowledge and other creatures, including master spellcasters for a considerable time, all to achieve as much power as she could." Your variant counters. "I must urge the minimum of caution, for if my Wanda is able to absorb your magic, it will be the end of everything."

Wanda tilts her head toward your variant. "Earlier, you corrected yourself. You called her our Wanda, instead of yours." Remarks the witch and watches the variant swallow dryly, looking away. "Witchbreaker memories don't show everything. What am I to you in this world?"

Your variant hesitates, shaking her head. "Nothing, not anymore."

"Bullshit."

"Wanda."

"I always know when you're lying." Wanda insists, raising a hand to the variant's face, sliding her finger across the scar in her eye. "Yet, this is different."

The variant swallows dry again, shuddering under the touch but keeping her gaze on Wanda. "No matter what existed between us, my mission now is with the survivors."

Wanda hums, tracing the scar. "What happened to your eye?"

"It doesn't matter." Variant says but Wanda firms her grip, and the woman grunts softly before adding: "You."

"What was in here?"

Variant sighs. "I had an accident when I was younger, my master thought I would bleed to death, so he put Agamotto’s eye in place, that being the mind stone. When Thanos arrived, you had to rip it out to destroy it so the Titan couldn't have it."

Wanda pulls her hand away in shock. "I blew a hole in your head."

Your variant sighs. "Wanda, it wasn't your fault-"

"You lost your vision as a child." She mumbles thoughtfully, a million ideas in her head at once. A million possibilities.

"Hum, yeah, but you used to make a little joke about it." Your variant counters with an awkward chuckle. "The first time you saw me with the stone, you joked that I was a such a good vision to look at. It was meant to tease me, but then it kind of became a nickname and-"

Wanda's eyes were filled with tears.

Vision.

You were Vision.

How was that possible?

"[...] Anyway, it doesn't matter. That was a long time ago, and I'm dead, and I can't let my Wanda go on with this."

The witch frowns. "She's doing all of this for you, isn't she?"

Variant chuckles short, "No, Wanda." But the witch doesn't believe it, not one bit.

"Stop lying."

"I'm not lying!" The variant exclaims impatiently and takes a deep breath for speaking up. "She didn't…-I left her, okay? My Wanda brought me back, did everything for us, and I...I left her. I lost her. She's not... I don't feel her anymore. I just feel Chthon." She confesses with bitterness in her voice. "The first few nights, I could pretend I didn't. Wanda used the stones and kept changing things to take the uncertainties out of me, but over time, it all broke down. She is no longer..." The variant cut herself off, emotion in her voice, and Wanda swallowed dryly. "That's why I say it doesn't matter what happened between us. I'm dead, and my wife is gone too. The priority has to be those people."

Wanda sighs deeply but manages a smile. She holds the variant's hand. "I will make things right, I promise."

The variant smiles but blinks a moment, and her eyes turn red. Wanda frowns. "Y/N?"

Suddenly, lips are on hers, and Wanda chokes in surprise. She instinctively pushes off the variant, confusion stamped on her face. The knight wastes no time in pushing forward again, pressing Wanda's entire body against the sink.

It's so familiar, and it's so you. Except it isn't. And while Wanda is busy trying to remember this, and trying to get free, the knight conjures a portal next to them.

"Y/N, stop-" Wanda pleads, pushing again, but her sentence breaks into an exclamation as she stumbles backward, and is falling at high speed.

She only has time to force her flight magic, before the variant jumps after her beyond the portal.

Both land on the ground with a very loud impact, and Wanda freezes as she hears her own laughter.

"I should have known you would make a theatrical entrance, my dear." Says Wanda's variant, sitting on the throne in front of the black stone table where you are tied up. "And I should also say hello to the honorable Scarlet Witch."

--//--

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x yn #marvel imagines #elizabeth olsen x reader #wanda maximoff #wanda imagines #Rulers of The Multiverse

354 notes · View notes

manna-moth · 3 months

Text

The scent of decay filled my nostrils as we approached the entrance of the affectionately named, "Corpse Of A God". The only known entrance, what we believe to be a stab wound in a would be finger. Its' still fresh blood and flesh making stomach churning squishing noises as we step into the wound. "Go to medical school" they said. "You'll become very successful," they said. Well they didn't say anything about being forced to study the insides of an unknown creature so big that we can't estimate its size. From the rumors I've heard, people believe the creature is so big it could step on earth and not notice, but the rest of the body is in another universe. Such bullshit. How would something like that even work, much less exist? The glass on my oxygen mask fogged as the exterior temperature reached boiling point. The major fluctuation of the Alaskan wilderness temperature to the inside of the creature was sudden enough to make me go dizzy. As my team and I descend into the creature, the light around us seems to dim. I looked behind me, only to find that our only entrance, and therefore only exit, was now covered with shark tooth looking giant bone fractures. Great. Now we will have to wait for however long it takes security to break through those to leave.

It has been… what? 5 hours now? Probably. I didn't bring a watch. I sat at the entrance, waiting for them to get done cutting through the bone thing. I don't know how far they have gotten, but it's taking forever. My team leader went to take a leak a while ago, did he get lost? I swear, if they didn't give us a map of what they've discovered Ialready then that's gonna cause massive confusion when traversing the inside. Might as well go check on him. As I got up, I nearly tripped on myself. Fucking hell, despite being a decomposing corpse, the inside is still very wet. Maybe it's a size thing? I travel a bit deeper into the corpse, making sure not to stray too far from the wired path, acting as my only light source. I don't know what went over me, but during my attempt at looking for my missing teammate, I somehow left the wire path. I didn't even notice, until I bumped into a warm, fleshy wall. I look around, now the only illumination given to me is the flashlights set onto my head. God knows how long those will last, but how much oxygen do I have left? I can't check because it's on my back. Supposed to have a teammate check it for you, "build trust". Wasn't there only 2 ways before? Now that my eyes have adjusted, I count at least 7. Maybe I just missed them due to my eyes not being used to the inky void-like blackness engulfing the entirety of this thing.

How long has it been? Minutes? Hours? I've lost track of time for the most part. I just know it's daytime. Guess my internal clock is just fine tuned now that I can't see the damn sky. For some reason, I haven't gotten tired in any way, by now I should've gotten hungry or thirsty. Maybe even sleepy, but no. It's like the heat of the creature is suffocating me in a way that keeps me from ever tiring. Weird metaphor, I know, but that's what it feels like. Wait, what am I stepping in? Is… is that blood? Oh god, I may have overestimated how far into decomposition this thing is in. Oh god, I can smell it. Wait, why can I smell it? I have an oxygen mask. Maybe a leak somewhere? Can't take it off to inspect, lord knows how many pathogens are running wildly around in here. I suddenly hear what sounds like multiple footsteps on the bloodied floor, for some reason, I'm not at all relieved as I should be. I feel my body freeze as a burning chill ran down my spine, dread overflowing from myself. I should- no… I HAVE to hide. I run the opposite way, my visor fogging more and more till I can hardly see until the floor disappeared out from under me. My body feeling as though it's floating under immense pressure and everything goes black.

I woke up, covered in some sticky, yellow slime. I barely got my head out of this mysterious liquid by the time my vision finally unblurred. It feels as though chains are binding my arms under the pus. My body burn, shaking. I cling onto the only solid, non-mucus covered thing I find within arms reach. I resist vomiting as much as I can. Just as I dreaded, there is a leak somewhere in my tank, the yellow liquid filling my oxygen mask. I throw it off, rather be killed instantly from the lack of oxygen than drowning.

Except. I don't. I can breathe. I open my eyes, viewing a honey-like root sprouting from a bioluminescent plant. I pull myself up, nearly slipping back into that pus filled ocean. I take a moment to gather my thoughts. My head races, not being able to catch up with the events that just transpired. How did I get here? The last thing I remember was hearing those footsteps. Then nothing but the feeling of weightlessness followed by being in that vile. The green glow of the plant, that looks to be a type of odd tree, a twisting trunk meeting a bundle of silk-like leaves that glows a near neon green. I look beyond the tree, seeing multiple fauna resembling it. A hanging, plastic looking flower, glowing almost the same green. I climb the tree to see if I can eat the leaves. For some reason, the more I climb the farther away the top of the tree seems, as though it's extending specifically so I do not reach the top. I look below me and nearly pass out. I can no longer see the ground, nor the other illuminating plants. I begin making my way back down, but like with the leaves it seems pointless. I might be so high up I can't return to the bottom, or it's extending the bottom for me not to reach the end. I get an idea, and let go completely. I fall, and fall, and fall. Surely I should have landed by now, I didn't climb for THAT long. I then suddenly hit something, stretchy as I continued to descend but slowing my own descent.

I look around again, what was once an inky void now replaced with fleshy walls, illuminated by something behind them, showing massive veins mazing all around. A strong breeze pulls me one way. I'm barely able to keep myself standing, my feet slipping down the lubricated flooring. Suddenly, the breeze stops. I regain my composure and it begins again. This time, the breeze is so strong it knocks me on my feet, carrying me down the tunnel with it. I look behind me and my stomach drops. The shark-tooth looking bones have begun protruding from what may be an exit, or at least a somewhat safer area. With a snap and crack, I crash into the bone things. one of my arms gets punctured by a tooth. Great, now if they have blood borne pathogens I'm screwed. My head spins with a mix of regret, hatred and terror. I should never have become a doctor. I never should have trusted whoever claimed they had discovered a new species bigger than a blue whale. I don't wanna die here!

I freeze. feeling something crawling up my back, unable to move, unable to count how many feet it has. I try to free my arm from the bone thing, and it produces smaller spikes. The pain Is agonizing, shooting throughout my entire body like a million needles surging in my bloodstream. Whatever is crawling on my back is now wrapping itself around my forehead, I can now hear its creaking limbs. Suddenly, the bones retract, causing me to fall down to the gooey floor. I see another tunnel at the end of this room. For some reason, I feel no need to remove the creature from my forehead. I even… welcome it. The company, potential friend. I limp to the entrance. Exit? I don't know what this counts as. Just as I pass into the tunnel, the large room behind us shifts into a 3 way tunnel itself. One way, it gets really dark. The creature, staying on my head, extends down to the top of my spine. I'll call it, Tomato. Yeah, me and tomato, traversing the creature.

We will go down the darkened corridor. We would know that artificial lights cause such darkness, ironically. But what if they don't want to see us? What if the humans don't accept Tomato? If they don't, we can just @~°•■•¤€&^%÷. But what if they do? Why wouldn't they? Tomato is beautiful. They need to accept Tomato. We will leave this place, and Tomato will become the most beloved being in creation. We'll see a light. Whoever it'll belong to will seem lost, but calm. We will run towards them. We need to. We need to catch them. Show them they don't need their oxygen mask. It'll get them killed in here. They will hear us, and run the other way. That'll be a shame, since they would fall into the floor.

After the person fell, the floor closed. The tunnels arranged for us to leave. We saw the exit, the bone fractures have been cut through- but we see no workers. We stepped into the warm Alaskan air, breathing in the moist air filled with a hint of iron. We need to look for signs of human life, they need to know we didn't die. We find a human car that seemed to have crashed. We open the cars top, searching for some food. Nothing. Only blankets were left behind. It could take days before we see more humans, so we should take what we can get. We devour the cloth, but it isn't enough, so we rip off the roof of the car, tear it into tiny pieces and we will snack on that on our way to human civilization. Humans will have food, they always do. More food- BETTER, food.

We walk through the ash, yet feel no cold. Our digits have stiffened too much, our nerves have died already. I look down at our arm. A ghoulish blue. We've decided it would be too dangerous for us to make a fire, due to the potential shock our body may sustain.

Somethings following us. Maybe someone? No. Not this far from true civilization. Not in these unstable temperatures. Tomatoes frills shake, not from any cold, but from the fear I could sense from him. Whatever was following us, tomato didn't like it. We found another car. Abandoned like the other one. This one actually had food, and gas! The keys still in the ignition, a glove frozen onto it. Starting the car, we turn the A/C on as well, starting off with burning air at first as it cooled. Tomato chirps happily as the coolness covers him like a blanket.

A few hours have passed, tomatoes frills are still shaking from the fear of what is following us. In the mirror, I can see something moving from tree to tree, fast enough to keep up but staying far enough to keep barley out of sight. Whatever it was, it wasn't human. Maybe a wolf? Wolves are fast. If it is a wolf, it must be a lone one. We should keep our eyes on the road though. The snow continues to fall as we pass what looks like destroyed buildings with burn marks. The scattered cars dot the street, some are crashed into a building that was razed to the ground, or seem to have been damaged by fire themselves. The putter of the engine alerts me to the fact that I hadn't stopped to refuel in the last few days. Tomato grunted with disappointed. Stepping out of the freezing car, I'm blasted with a heat hot enough to burn my eyebrows, and a wind strong enough to knock me on my feet. Struggling to reach my feet, the thing that was following us hides behind a shattered wall of brick. Its' dark silhouette and deep eyes stare through me.

Its deep red and bright black scales smoothly coated its rough exterior. A rush of adrenaline flooded our head as Tomato forced us to run from the creature. It barreled after us in a barbarically divine manner, the thuds of its feet making a soft squishing sound as it tried catching us. Tomato urges me to move faster, following his instincts, we swerve left and right at random. We run back into the forest, falling down a hill, getting scrapped by the smooth branches. Vines cover us, tieing us up in a way that's impossible to escape. The creature slowly walks up to us, and puts a claw onto our shoulder. The ground shakes as the vines entered cuts in my body, filling up my veins with their twisting, thorny existence. The pain floods over me as they twist. My head goes numb, everything goes black as I see the creature open its mouth.

. . . .

. . .

. .

We wake back up, surrounded by the stomach churning illumination of the creature's body. The Veins from the wall crawl out of me and back into the wall. Seemingly, the world begins pulsating, the tunnel closing in around us as an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia overtakes our bodies. The only thing stopping it being the odd, rib-like bones that encase this tunnel… no… not Bones… are those.. creatures? From the ribs climbs out numerous entities, their Chitten a milky white as their dozens of eyes peirce into our very being. Their legs chattering as they skitter through the cave. Is this a type of parasite to this creature? Tomato frills freeze, as one of the entities grabs a hold of him, using the ear blistering noise of the others as cover. We fight the things, but they eventually win and pull Tomato off me and. . . What the hell was that thing that was on my back! No. Not just back, my entire body. Roots from the tomato rip out of me as it is torn from me. It got into my head, is that why I saw it as a pet? A shock runs through my body and I get a splitting headache. It feels like my head is trying to explode. Something underneath my skin crawls. It looks like a bump moving around my chest. The calm despair before the creature tried ripping itself out of me, I knew it would happen. I had to kill it before that happened, but how? It was in my chest, and I had no weapon.

As the creature writhed and squirmed inside my chest, a surge of desperation filled my veins. My heart pounded in my ears as I scanned the surroundings, desperately seeking a way to rid myself of the intruder. A glimmer of light reflected off a shard of broken bone lying nearby, catching my attention. I quickly snatched it up, hoping it could serve as some form of makeshift weapon. With trembling hands, I pressed the sharp edge of the bone against my skin, hesitating for a moment before summoning the courage to pierce through. The pain was excruciating, but the sheer will to survive fueled my determination. Blood trickled down my chest as I probed deeper, guided by instinct and a desperate need to eradicate the foreign presence within me.

The creature thrashed wildly in response to my actions, causing waves of agony to ripple through my body. Tears streamed down my face as I fought against the searing pain and the nauseating sensation of something squirming beneath my flesh. With one final surge of strength and a primal scream, I managed to locate the creature and impale it on the makeshift weapon. Relief washed over me as I withdrew the bone, covered in a viscous, black fluid that oozed from the wound. The creature's movements ceased, and the oppressive pressure within my chest subsided. Gasping for breath, I collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted but victorious.

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts and regain my composure, I realized I needed medical attention. My body was battered, full of holes, and the wound in my chest would require immediate care. With the last remnants of my strength, I managed to bandage myself as best I could, using torn pieces of my hazmat suit and strips of fabric from clothes underneath.As I lay there, wounded and weakened, the environment around me began to shift once again. The pulsating walls of the creature's body closed in, and the eerie illumination intensified. I knew I had to find a way out, to escape this nightmarish place. Drawing upon the resilience that had carried me thus far, I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in my chest and the lingering sense of dread.

I continued the venture deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels of the creature. Every step was accompanied by a mixture of fear and curiosity. Terror washed over me at just the thought of what might lay ahead me. The air grew heavier, carrying with it a pungent odor of decay and the faint sound of distant whispers that shook my mind with unknowable knowledge I couldn't understand. Through winding passages and eerie chambers, I pushed forward, driven by the simple desire to not die, and to escape. The walls seemed to close in even further, narrowing the path ahead, making me get onto my hands and knees. My mind became a wandering mess as I tried to block out the haunting echoes and the incomprehensible presence that seemed to lurk just beyond my sight.

. . . . . .

I awoke, clawing my way out of some sort of pod full of a honey-like liquid, its thin outer shell easily collapsed. Once out, the liquid began glowing as it heated up at a rapid pace. It burned my skin, sealing any wound I had shut as my skin boiled under its pressure. I scrambled to get it off of me, but it seemed the more I tried the more it covered me. It continued to get hotter and hotter. I could feel my skin peeling back as my skin cells died. It's heat was unbearable. And then, the heat vanished. Replaced with a chilling cold. This cold was not coming from the liquid. No. The liquid was not cold nor hot. But the world around me. The walls, the ceiling, the floor. They emanated Chill. The normally warm looking reds and oranges of my surroundings were now saturated with cold magenta and purple. My breath was visible, even semi-solid at some points.

I got up, the liquid still covering most of my body. Taking even a single step felt like trying to go against my own body. Steam escaped my once burning body into the unforgiving cold of my surroundings. My hazmat suit was missing. In fact, I just noticed I'm not wearing anything. Not like anyone would see me, but it'd be nice to have some clothes in this temperature. Moving my body makes odd crunching sounds. Looking down, I noticed ice crystals forming on my body, seemingly at war with the liquid for coverage. I really need to find the warmer part of this thing. Or maybe it's in the late stage of decay? How would the decay process affect a creature as large as this? Questions I should ask if I escape.

I ran. Ran as fast as my body allowed. Crunch crunch crunch. That is all I heard for however long I ran. A calm feeling washed over me as I entered an open cavity, the odd glowing plant things covered the ceiling. Small vines crept down from them with a faint dim light coming off various points of the vines. Along the countless walls it looked like bones became tentacles, writhing along to an unheard beat. This place was chaos, yet perfect order. The temperature no longer felt freezing, yet was not as warm as before either. I walked slowly, doing my best to not disrupt whatever these things were doing. The cavity broke off into multiple paths, the walls folding in on itself multiple times causing a single room to become almost more, yet still only one. A large insectoid creature was crawling along the plants. It was seemingly tending to them. It had 6 legs, and 4 manipulators, its body was separated into 2, what looked like a head, and a larger body. It had a straw-like thing where a mouth would be. Its countless eyes were always focused on the plants. Despite the non-threatening feeling I get while looking at it, something in the back of my mind told me I shouldn't get it's attention.

While trying to get past it, my eyes adjusted to the dim light that reached the floor. All over, I noticed odd oval shapes, connected by some kind of vein system. The Veins were pulsating, and the objects rocked back and forth in a rhythm with the pulsing. One of the objects begins moving more rapidly, a crack forming on it as something small crawls out of it. It looked like a smaller version of the creature above. The small one looks up at its mother, and wails hungrily. I froze, not of fear since I couldn't feel that while here. But I froze. An instinct beyond fear? No matter why, but I couldn't move. The large creature comes down towards the small one. It lowered its straw mouth down to feed the small one, and inserted it into its abdomen. The small ones body pruned as it shrunk, a sad and fearful shriek echoed from the small one.

The large creature ascended back onto the ceiling, the corpse of the small one slowly turned to ash in front of my eyes. Trying to continue forward seemed to have just become impossible, with that creature above. What if it notices me? Would it eat me too? Looking back at the area I came from, I saw nothing but a wall and all the bone things wiggling on it. Crap. Turning back to the cavity, I try to figure out how to go forward without making any noise, and without being seen. Tip toeing, I have to keep track of the creature while not disturbing the eggs. 1 step. 2 step. 3 step. 4. One foot in front of the o- *SNAP*.

my foot was now surrounded by the yolk of the egg. The corpse of the unfinished small one being impaled by my leg. Terror engulfs me as I turn around to see the creature on the ceiling running in my direction. I had to hide. Looking around there wasn't anything but the writhing bones. God I hope they're weak.

I run towards the wall, and squeeze in-between the uneven bones. It gets tighter, my own bones begin to collapse in on themselves, the pain indescribable until I fall.

No. Not falling. I'm floating. Gravity feels nonexistent, as well does air resistance seem to not exist. I opened my eyes that I didn't even realize I had closed. I saw in front of me… me. An infinitely larger version of myself. Behind me, I saw stars. Galaxies even far, far away. My body begins shutting down. I fell to a molten planet, into its core. The Planetary body surrounds me. Only my pinky finger being the only thing not surrounded. I can't breathe. My subconscious falling into oblivion. My heart slows, my finger grows cold. I can't move. My head spins as unspeakable shapes and unknowable colors flash in my mind. My head hurts. I just…. I just need to go to sleep for a bit…. I'll wake up eventually. . . .

#writing #short story #story #eldritch

3 notes · View notes

rosewould · 2 years

Text

mortal sin; nct dream

chapter four; keep your demons close

masterlist

words; 4.8k

genre; nothing really

warnings; suggestive themes, strong language

preface; this is the most we've seen of Joohyun I think, what do we think of her? I'd love to hear your thoughts <3

Oh my... I've eaten a week's worth of food just this morning, yet my stomach is still growling! Pregnancy has been... interesting to say the least. I didn't mean to snap at Hyeonhok. He was only trying to help me, I feel so horrible about it. It doesn't make me feel better that I "can't control it", that's an excuse! He still personally delivers every meal I request with a smile. I'm so wracked with guilt I don't know what to do with myself. I'm very close to locking myself in a closet until the baby is born.

I didn't need a reward to finish my research, but the promise of reading a few more pages of this diary made me more eager to finish. Whether it was the media I consumed growing up or my morbid mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen to this woman. How did her diary end up in a library, one in this realm at that? If she isn't a demon, this is all the more troubling. Despite the foreboding nature looming over each page, I was completely immersed. Oung's writing is captivating. Her emotions flow through each word like I'm directly experiencing everything she describes. She's bubbly and theatrical, reminding me of someone special.

The thought shoots me straight back to my final year on Earth. It felt like hours of me sitting there, visualizing the bloodied box that slashed at my chest each time it flashed in my brain. I cradle my head in my hands. Why did I have to look in that damned box? No matter how many days pass, I never stop thinking about if Minkyung intended for me to see that.

I stare down at the aged diary, drifting into space and hoping Oung is okay.

"...that takes us to current day, when Lord Taeyong is crowned Lord of Devildom. Things are a lot safer now and the capital is thriving more than ever. Buildings are less of an eyesore and the city looks more modern. He made changes to the laws by adding a lot more. Before he was appointed, the amount of laws added up to a single digit number." Mark points to the screen with an unnecessary pointing stick. I had already known all of this. If he would just let me and Joohyun help we could've been much farther ahead. We're the strongest group, yet we haven't even started.

"This lecture was really helpful actually, I'm guessing this plays into your plan to get this realm on our side...?" I raise my eyebrows, throwing the ball in his court. I knew he didn't have an actual plan yet, he just wanted to flex his painstakingly extensive knowledge of the Telestial realm. Hopefully this gets him to get on with it while making it seem like his idea all along.

"Oh. Right. The plan..." Mark stammers and I withhold the urge to groan. Joohyun yawns beside me, stretching her arms into the air.

"It's getting late! Maybe we should pick this back up tomorrow morning."

I gawk at her incredulously. It was only midnight, and we were seriously behind. We need all the time we could get.

"Are you seriously tired? Ha! I could stay up until the sun rises, even without coffee. I understand if you need to rest, though. Meeting adjourned I guess." Mark shrugs.

"I'm sorry, last night was a long night. I needed to make sure I was caught up with you guys." Joohyun smiles apologetically. "Let's make it up by meeting early tomorrow morning!"

"I can't tomorrow morning, but we'll figure something out." Mark sighs as he walks both of us to the door. "Next time I'll make sure to tell you my plan, you'll love it!" He pushes us out of the door before shutting it in our faces. Both of them are rushing to end the session as if we're not behind.

I turn to Joohyun and nudge her. "Hey, was that another trick I didn't pick up on?"

"Oh, no! Don't worry," Joohyun waves her hand, "I really am tired. I'll make sure to do what I can behind the scenes."

She starts to walk away but I stop her by pulling on her arm. She looks down at my hand with a blank stare.

"I don't know about you, but I don't want to stay here forever-- this school thing or the Telestial realm. Finishing this project will get us closer to getting out of here."

She laughs, still staring at my hand. "I can't believe you grabbed my arm."

I blink at her. "Sorry, did I come off as rude? I didn't mean to."

"No, it's not that... it's just that beings are usually afraid to even breathe incorrectly around me."

"Really? Huh."

Joohyun definitely seemed sketchy, but scary? She was a small, regal woman. Maybe her stately aura intimidated people. "I don't find you scary at all."

"You don't strike me as the type to be easily frightened." Joohyun acknowledges. She should see me when Renjun is around.

"I'd say we both have good impressions of each other." I smirk, only faltering when I realize that's technically a lie.

"I guess that's true. If I'm honest, I don't think that way about many people here." Joohyun lowers her voice, flashing an awkward grimace.

"You know what? I feel the exact same way." I admit apprehensively. "Perhaps we're judgemental."

Joohyun shrugs. "Just one more reason we're compatible I guess." She raises her eyebrows before walking away.

Every day brings another interaction where I click with someone. It was worrying that both those people weren't the most polite beings, but it made me feel a tad more comfortable. Being able to have a conversation where I wasn't constantly trying not to die or flatter a narcissist was a breath of fresh air. Even if it might be a trick. I have to keep in mind that Joohyun is scarily good with those.

Right now, what's important is getting this plan sorted. A quick trip to the vending machine wouldn't hurt. As I rounded the corner I heard voices getting closer.

"What did he say?"

"He said it was an excellent plan and that he might pick ours. No one else is even finished yet."

Standing in front of the vending machines are three men. One I didn't recognize, YangYang, and the devil himself.

"No one else is finished?! Not even-" The unfamiliar man's eyes land on me. "the teacher's pet group."

Renjun and YangYang both turn to look at me. YangYang greets me while Renjun stands up straight, growing more rigid. I sigh, clenching my eyes shut. "Is that the name everyone is calling us?"

"Yikes. Sorry prototype. I'm Baekhyun." He extends his hand with a tight-lipped grin. I accept his hand. So many people to meet.

"Prototype is yet another name I have to worry about." I laugh awkwardly.

"At least that one's 100% a compliment. You should be honored!" Baekhyun pats me on the shoulder, much too comfortable with someone he just greeted seconds ago.

"I try, but I'm not totally sure what it means."

"Thanks to you we don't all have to be starved." YangYang laughs. I laugh back, my amusement coming off rather unconvincing as I put the pieces together. First the phone, now this. Am I really getting the short end of the stick here?

"Aw come on. Like I said, it's a compliment! You should've heard Taeyong gushing about how strong-willed you were." Baekhyun says.

"I guess. I just wish there was another way he could've found that out." The last thing I needed was to starve again I thought.

"Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Prototype! We gotta go fine tune our plan. I'll see you around." Baekhyun salutes.

"That's right, you guys are finished. Is this your group?" I ask.

"Correct. We'd be the top group if Mark weren't wrapped around Taeyong's finger." YangYang rolls his eyes.

"We're a bit of a letdown. We have no semblance of a plan." I admit regretfully.

"I can't say I'm surprised. Mark can't take his head out of his ass long enough to be productive-"

"Easy." Renjun finally speaks since he saw you.

YangYang groans. "Fine. But all I'll say is I feel sorry for you. Mortal to mortal."

"I'm sure I can figure something out. Thanks for worrying, though. What's your guys' plan?"

"Good question! Our plan is to-" Baekhyun prepares to present it theatrically to do their grand plan justice when Renjun stops him.

"Nice try. Figure you're own shit out. Let's go, guys." Renjun unfolds his arms before grabbing his drink from the machine and leaving.

"Yeesh. Sorry again, Prototype." Baekhyun glances over his shoulder before following Renjun. YangYang lags behind for a minute, staring at him incredulously.

"What's his deal?"

I laugh loudly. "Seriously? I think we all know by now." I slowly quiet down when I notice YangYang staring at me. "Wait..."

"What do you mean?"

Do other people not know? Is there a reason for that?

"I mean, he's always been a little uptight, right?"

"No, no, no! Don't switch up on me. You know something don't you?" YangYang narrows his eyes at me with a smirk.

"I just realized you might be friends with Renjun and might not want to talk shit about him..." I shrug. It'd be a miracle if he believed this. Where's Joohyun when you need her? He gives me a knowing look and I sigh.

"You noticed the 7 deadly sins, too?" He whispered.

I start to respond but end up frozen with my mouth open like an idiot. I look up at him in defeat. "I didn't even notice, Taeyong had to tell me."

"Wow! Taeyong was talking about how you were smart, but now I'm starting to doubt his judgment."

"To be honest, I don't blame you." I mumble.

"Hey, teasing isn't fun if you submit so easily. I can tell you're smart, but if you're really smart, you'll keep this between us and the demons." He steps closer, glancing around as he lowers his volume. Why would YangYang care about that?

"That's cute, you care about the demons."

YangYang scoffs. "Yeah, sure."

That can't be the reason. So what's his deal? I can't help but note his closeness with Joohyun. The next morning I find myself monitoring them. YangYang looks to get along with his group, chatting and laughing naturally. On the outside, it would seem like Joohyun is doing the same. So neither of these observations should be trusted. It'd be best if I try a different approach to figuring this group out.

What I couldn't understand was why they were pretending to be close to the demons. YangYang looks to be best friends with Renjun, and you'd think Joohyun reciprocated Mark's blatant crush.

"So far I only have one group with a concrete plan. We're nowhere near the deadline, but I expected more groups to at least have an idea of what they were doing." Taeyong reports, doing little to cover up the disappointment in his voice. "To be fair, a lot of you are new to this realm. Telling you to win over largely unfamiliar beings was my bad, so today we'll be learning about demons." Taeyong scans the room as he pushes a button. He turns toward the picture of biblical demons and points his stick at them.

"Thanks to Terrestrial literature, this is the most common depiction of demons. Hellish creatures that thrive off of the torture of sinful humans. We have had no contact with humans for hundreds of millenniums, so it's best you wipe this from your brain going forward." He clicks to the next slide, showing a group picture of demons. Some of them look familiar enough to blend in with humans, other are similar to the form Renjun sported that day in the hospital. I peer over at him, seeing him whisper to YangYang as he gestured toward the screen.

"Demons are not as different as you may think. Besides their abilities, the major factor at play is environment. Past rulers gave demons little to no rules or laws, so they internalized that nature. They adopted it as part of their identity." Pity was oozing out of Taeyong's words.

"As of now, demons may not be the most receptive to rules or being told how to think, but with a tiny nudge, they could see the upside in reforming. So instead of searching for a way to just muzzle the demons, frame it in a way that sounds pleasing to them." Taeyong squints with a nod. "In other words, dip the medication in peanut butter." He winks.

Taeyong claps his hands together. "Now with your groups, try and figure out a plan better suited to modern day demons!" He orders before turning to switch off the projector.

"Oh, one more thing,” He swings back around, “this is a test. In the future, it would be in your best interest to become efficient public figures. There's only so much I can do as one lowly demon."

It's no use. Mark is a lost cause.

"I'm sorry, did you just say we should promise the demons fewer restrictions if they comply?" I blink, mouth agape. Mark smiles, utterly oblivious to how idiotic he comes across.

"Absolutely. Cover it in peanut butter, remember?" He quirks his head to the side as if he were speaking to a child and I just about lose it. I open my mouth to chew him out but instead I exhale slowly.

"Mark," I start, hands hanging in the air, searching for a gesture that helped form my thoughts, "what you just suggested isn't dipping meds in peanut butter. That's telling the dog you're gonna give him peanut butter, only to hand him a dry pill. In other words, lying."

"Lying? Pssh! That's not lying! In the world of politics, sometimes you have to bend the truth to get the public on your side. Like Lord Taeyong said, they can't see the upside of reforming so we have to show them."

"Hmm," I feign confusion, trying to stifle my unbridled rage as I bite my lip. "I'm not sure the demons will be happy about you lying to them, Mark." I all but growl at him.

"By the time they find out they'll already be distracted by how much better life will be! Don't you understand? What don't you get-"

"I completely agree with Mark." Joohyun steps in before I blow up. "The demons don't know what they truly want. They need help to get there."

"Exactly! Joohyun gets it. You know, Joohyun shows up to the meetings less and claims to be behind on her research, yet you're having a much harder time."

"Okay, that's it." I slam my hands on the table and push up from my chair. Who knows how many demon cocks I'll have to suck to navigate this hell hole, but I'll be damned if I play a tiptoeing second fiddle to an incompetent egomaniac. "I'll make my own goddamn plan."

"W-what?!" Mark shoots up as well. "Hey where are you going?" He yells after me as I storm away. I turn briefly to address him with a clenched jaw.

"I think you should worry about your plan, or lack thereof, you're gonna need all the time you can get." I cut my eyes at him before turning back around, shoving the doors open. The judging eyes weren't in the forefront of my mind, just how I was going to manage this. What Taeyong wants is a public figure, so that's what he'll get. Group or no group. I find myself in the nearest bathroom and rest my hands on the sink. The sensors trigger the water, the noise of it hitting the sleek, black ceramic fades into the background as I look in the mirror.

My fingers trace over the area my scar should be. Seeing it again really solidified its absence. It feels like my sins from when I was alive were erased, and I was given the chance to start anew.

I hear footsteps thunder into the bathroom. "Hey. There you are." Joohyun peers in before walking toward me. She looked upset, and she wasn't masking it this time. "What was that in there? I had it under control."

I exhale as I stop leaning on the sink. "Don't take this the wrong way, but... did you?" I start, giving her a wary look. "I feel inclined to trust you, but I sincerely think Mark is a lost cause."

"You realize he likes me, right?" I nod and Joohyun continues. "Sometimes emotions can sway even the most rigid people. We can use that to our advantage. Mark told me he has connections to the higher ups in this realm. He's a valuable asset. Once I have him wrapped around my finger, it could mean smooth sailing for us."

I ponder for a moment. "What would we do with said asset anyway? We only need to manipulate him for this assignment."

"Just imagine the possibilities. Access to confidential information, stronger connections than other groups, and more resources. The brothers, including Mark, have better tech than we do." Joohyun leans in with steady eyes trained on me. I clench my eyes shut. That damned phone.

"God! I don't know how much longer I can tolerate that idiot." I groan, throwing my head back.

"I know he can be a headache, but remember what I said. Emotions can sway even the most rigid people." She steps forward again, giving me a stern look. "It doesn't matter how smart you are if you let your feelings control your actions." The longer her stare lingers, the more her words permeate in my brain.

"Ow! Jeno-" NingNing hisses. Jeno pulls away, his heart melting at her big eyes and pout.

"I'm sorry Yizhuo, I always do this." Jeno sighs before letting his head fall forward. NingNing sighs, rubbing her shoulder that probably had teeth marks indented into her soft skin.

"It's okay. Maybe I just need to grow thicker skin." She beams. Jeno looks up, untensing under the light of her smile. "Let's go to my room, yeah?" Jeno nods, making NingNing grin. "My bed is far more comfortable anyway."

"Good point." Jeno pulls her skirt down and fixes the seat of her underwear before tending to his own disheveled appearance. NingNing sends her hands through her hair before looking at Jeno.

"Do I look okay?" She asks, voice hushed all of a sudden. Jeno holds her face in both his hands, bringing her lips closer to plant a quick kiss on them.

"You look adorable. Let's go." He grabs her hand, but as soon as they leave, she slips it from his grasp. Jeno ignores his heart and the way it ached the entire walk. Just another petal wilting off of a dying flower. NingNing pushes her door open, and Jeno can feel his growing excitement replacing the ache. NingNing gasps, slamming the door back. She whips herself around, giving Jeno an alarmed look.

"What?!" He whispers.

"YangYang is here!"

"Oh, great." Jeno rolls his eyes as he grumbles.

"Hey! Don't be like that. I'll just be a second, okay?" NingNing whispers with a pleading look. Jeno looks apprehensive. After pausing to think, he sighs. He knows how this usually goes. The person stumbles across Jeno, they ask what he's doing there, and Yizhuo gives him the look. As if to say 'don't mess this up'.

"Should... should I just leave?"

"What? No!" NingNing rushes to grab both his arms. Jeno softens his expression.

"Look, it's okay. We can always hang out later." He ruffles her hair with a crooked smile. She sighs before nodding softly.

He nods back, although it seems more for himself than anything. "See ya, Yizhuo." He leans forward and presses a kiss to her forehead before giving her a tight smile and leaving.

NingNing didn't know how to tell him she wouldn't be able to see him later. Joohyun told her to clear her schedule for the rest of the day. The next fifteen minutes were all she had. With a huff, she opens her door again and is greeted by YangYang's smug smile.

"Who was that?"

"Jeno. We're partners for the project, so..." NingNing's voice gets softer, wincing at her own words as if it wasn't necessary.

"That's lucky, isn't it? You get partnered up with your crush." YangYang's smile gets wider at Yizhuo's reddening face and wide eyes.

"What did- I don't-"

"Oh don't worry." YangYang stands from her bed with a grunt. "I won't tell Joohyun. Just don't do anything stupid, K?" He peers down at the Celestial before cocking his head to the side. NingNing swallows hard before nodding frantically.

"Good." He says with a pat on each of her shoulders. "Now come hang out with me, I've been waiting for you for ages!" He drags her back out of her room, making their way out of the building.

"Where are we going?" NingNing asks, growing nervous as they push through the doors. He stops walking to step in front of her before leaning forward.

"To party." He whispers before chuckling.

"Party? Joohyun would kill us!"

"That's just one more thing we'll have to keep secret from her." YangYang tugs at her hand again but she pulls away.

"No, she told me to clear my schedule earlier. We're having another meeting."

He stops for a moment, shutting his eyes to better focus on his thought process. "Okay... so Tiffany, right?"

"Yes...?"

"The airheaded human?"

"YangYang." NingNing scolds.

"Just tell Joohyun that she dragged you out for a project thing, but she lied and you got stuck at one of her crazy parties." YangYang shrugs.

"That's a horrible plan. Besides, any plan that involves lying to Joohyun is a bad one."

“You’re right.” He sighs, propping his head up with his thumb and index finger. “Okay, new plan. We never went to a party. We were following a lead on one of the brothers! We need to look for one anyway.”

Dread stirs in NingNing’s stomach at the mention of spying on the demons. She was trying to put it off as long as she could.

“Why the silence? This is a perfect plan! Two birds one stone, we get to relax and let loose, and we get Joohyun off our back about these damn brothers.”

NingNing picked at her brain for a response, but it was too focused on begging her not to do this. Not only was she lying to two people she cared about, but she would even be ditching one of them to do this.

“Hey, Yizhuo.”

She looks up when YangYang places his hand on both her shoulders. He snorts at her shocked expression. “Don’t overthink it. Whatever you’re worried about, I’m sure it’s not the end of the world. You can always work it out later.”

NingNing looks down, considering his advice.

“Plus, don’t you want to take a break for once?” Says YangYang with desperate yearning, “And I don’t mean thirty minutes. Losing hours without stressing about finding them.”

Finally giving in, NingNing rolls her eyes exaggeratedly. “Fine! Let’s go.”

“Yay!” YangYang uses his grip on her shoulders to shake her in excitement. He drags her once again, skipping into the neon-drenched night.

"Fuck- Why am I doing this?" I sigh, lowering my fist. All I have to do is knock on Mark's door. That’s all. Or, I can turn around and leave and come up with my own plan. That would definitely feel better.

But what if Joohyun’s right? I do want to get out of here as soon as possible.

I gather myself and stand up straight, knocking firmly on the door. Time to get this over with. Of course, I could've been done sooner if Joohyun let me apologize sooner. Apparently that wasn't realistic. Mark swings open the door with an expecting look on his face.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mark…” I start, already losing confidence.

“I see you’ve given up on your own plan already.”

This little-

I catch Joohyun’s eyes behind Mark. She raises her eyebrows. Fine.

“Yes. It was much too hard. I need your help.” I swallow my pride and force a smile on my face.

“Good. Because we need you too.” Mark says before clearing his throat. He ignores my shock and steps aside. “Come in.”

“Joohyun.” I greet her dryly, more focused on communicating with my eyes. She notices my confusion and acknowledges it with a smile.

“Hey. Take a seat.” She stands from her own to pull out mine. I look around as I sit down.

“Joohyun and I spent an entire day brainstorming, and we came to a decision.” Mark speaks once both of us have settled. “We want you to be in charge of coming up with the plan.”

Shock is the first emotion I experience. Mark said “we” and went through an entire two sentences without being a cock. Then the confusion was back, with a hint of annoyance.

“I’m kind of lost on the reason you put me in charge.”

“Joohyun brought up a good point. You seem to get along with the demons pretty easily.” Mark reflects, as if double checking his memory. I chuckle.

“I’m not quite sure about that. Also Mark is a demon.”

“Yeah, but they don’t get me. Even my own flesh and blood doesn’t.” For a moment, Mark expresses an emotion I didn’t think he had the range to. What was it, maybe regret? It came and went too fast to be sure. “Not to mention I’m no bona fide demon. Even if you’re faking it, you seem to get them. Keep doing whatever Chenle saw you doing at the restaurant.”

I was already planning to do so, but the burden of coming up with my own plan felt heavier with their judgment. I could already hear Mark’s “notes”. I might be here for a century. And Joohyun, well she’s a smart woman. She surely has high standards for a plan that will have her name on it.

“You may be right, but I don’t know. I think it would be better if we conjure up a plan together.”

“And waste all our time deliberating over piss-poor plans? Listen, Mark and I tried. We failed to come up with a plan that we were confident would win over Devildom, let alone the entire realm.” Joohyun reaches across the table to rest her hands on mine. “We can’t possibly come up with a sound plan without knowing what a demon truly wants.” At this point, Joohyun’s words were just to throw Mark off our scent, because she was giving me a look that told me to go along with it.

“That’s… a good point. So if I’m coming up with the plan, what will the two of you be doing? Won’t it be boring?” I could be acting overly cautious, but it was better than risking Mark thinking I’m insulting him.

“Maybe for a while, but we’ll keep each other company.” The look Mark gives Joohyun catches me up to speed on her plans to woo him. “Once you’ve come up with a base plan, we’ll work on fleshing it out together, then we can distribute tasks from there. We’ll have to test the plan before it can be set in stone.”

Mark’s words really put into perspective how much work we have yet to do. If only I was put into another group. Even coexisting with Renjun seemed better than this.

“But before that, make sure you have a plan B and C. Just in case Joohyun and I don’t agree on the first one. For now, think of us as a council of sorts.” The thought of that seemed to please Mark greatly judging by the goofy grin on his face.

“Sounds good. Hey, what do you guys think about cutting this meeting a little short? I’d like to get started as soon as possible.”

“That sounds good as well! Meeting adjourned!” Mark shoots his finger into the air.

When I entered my room the last thing I expected to see was Jeno without NingNing.

“Is she in the bathroom?” I cautiously close the door behind me. I know he can’t help it, but the last thing I wanted to see was him sniffing her underwear. Thankfully, he wasn’t. In fact, he looked a bit down.

“No, I was just hanging out in here. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I’m not gonna be here for long anyway.” I assure him as I peel off my suffocating blazer.

“Oh, are you going to that party too?”

I pause my rushing for a brief moment. “Party? No, I was gonna work late at the restaurant.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Renjun’s not in the library tonight.”

“What?” I completely freeze and look at him in disbelief. “Why not?”

“He wanted to look over the restaurant. He’s been acting really weird lately. Extra paranoid.” Says Jeno regretfully. “Sorry, I know you actually like to be there… for whatever reason.”

I drop my arms exasperatedly. “I need to go to the restaurant to interact with demons. Understanding them is a key part of the assignment.”

“Ah, you’re right. Well, maybe you could do so at the party. My roommate’s girlfriend is throwing it. She’s popular with the demons so they’re bound to come.”

“It’s not really my scene,” I start, thinking of excuses. “why aren’t you going?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t because I wasn’t in the mood, but I don’t have anything better to do.”

Jeno makes for decent company, he could make it less unbearable. With Joohyun’s words swarming in my brain like angry hornets, I let out a loud groan. “Okay. I guess I’m partying tonight.”

#mortal sin #mortis #kpop #nct #nct dream #mark #jeno #yangyang

7 notes · View notes

parchmentedpetrichor · 3 years

Text

➳the girl in the lilac dress ♠ ♡

in which y/n meets fred's ex-girlfriend, days after fred confessed his love for her. there's still some confusion on the status of their relationship. angst -> fluff. narrated by you, y/n l/n.

fred weasley x fem!reader

word count: ±5.4k

tw: angst (not too bad though), mean words, blood, mentions of auror missions, kidnapping, needles, st mungo's

drop a follow if you wanna see more of this content!!

my masterlist:D

ft. hermione, lee and alicia

I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you

I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you

the girl in the lilac dress

i was in a good mood. on the way to work to receive my mission, i was humming a song that had just come out. it was catchy and worth the wait.

out of the corner of my eye, a lilac colour appeared suddenly. strange, i thought. it approached me, in the form of a beautiful woman. she had the lightest grey eyes and the smoothest milky-white skin, and the shiniest locks of dark brown hair. she walked in a flowy lilac gown, her slim model-like body walking in a model-like fashion.

i was pretty sure she wasn't headed towards me, but when her luxurious voice said "good morning" in the calmest tone possible to me, i looked at her confusedly.

"hi!" i replied brightly, smiling.

she smiled sinisterly, "my name is pretoria aphrodite, i'm fred's ex-girlfriend."

he hadn't ever mentioned an ex, but i knew he had dated quite a few people. she made me seem like a glass of water next to a glass of red wine, naive and ugly. i was those two things anyway.

"oh! i'm y/n l/n! nice to meet you, you do seem like a daughter of aphrodite," i said politely.

"darling, all women are daughters of aphrodite. i understand fred's interested in you?"

she observed me and i laughed.

"i don't think that's quite the word. he's my best friend."

"friends with benefits?"

"oh gosh no! i don't really know where we stand, honestly."

"bitter about it?"

i thought for a second, "nah, i couldn't be. love's a hard thing."

"it is, indeed, and you work for the ministry?"

i nodded, "head of the auror office. what about you?"

"i model for witch weekly."

i gasped, "you're the p. aphrodite? i should've known!"

"big fan?" she looked amusedly at me.

"my friends are, so naturally i am."

"you don't seem the type fred usually goes for."

"i wouldn't say he's even going for me," i said cautiously.

"you are much too cutesie for his type."

i glanced up at her. she was smiling kindly.

"pfft, but better cutesie than nothing, amirite?" i asked friendlily, "well it's been nice to talk with you, but i gotta hurry!"

"no worries, i'll come with you, i have some business at the ministry too. have you seen his past exes?"

"uhh, not really?"

"well they're all models for one magazine or another."

"oh, okay. and that's important because...?" i asked her carefully.

"i just thought you should know."

i laughed, "i'm not model material, am i? i don't mind at all."

she looks taken aback. "i would say, with longer hair," she plucked a hair out of my poor mess of locks, "and a shorter upper body, with perhaps lip fillers, you'd look model-like."

her tone was analysing and not at all attacking.

"only three things??" i asked, shocked.

"you are rather... pretty already," she mused, "not model-like, but cute."

we had reached the ministry.

"thanks, see you later!" she waved and disappeared.

all that was left was a buzzing fly which soon flew away.

i immediately dialled in my auror code in the red telephone box and was sent into hermione granger's office.

"'mione! how good to see you!" i hugged her.

"hello y/n!"

in the ministry and the auror department, the head of the auror office was probably more important than the minister for magic. i didn't know why. she had brought me a cup of hot chocolate.

"thanks, 'mione, you didn't need to. what's the mission today?"

"two babies are being held hostage in a coded location by a person who calls themselves the light lord. dark lord, light lord, y'know?" she handed me a coded piece of parchment.

i thoughtfully pondered, "the light lord. who do you need?"

"i was hoping you go on this mission, then you could give me some news on this light lord person."

"that's doable. we'll need to bring in hepole and a ministry official to negotiate passports and such. and a strong auror team."

"right on it. i'll get wally becker and charlotte-ann becker. they're a force to be reckoned with on the borders."

"how much experience?"

"they're twins, been doing this for about fifty years now."

"perfect. and hepole?"

"on the way."

"thanks, minister," i winked at her, getting out my telephone and dialling the disguise unit.

"hello, poplinn speaking."

"pop, we need a few disguises. light lord."

"miss l/n! o-of course!"

"and pop?"

"y-yeah?"

"call me y/n."

i hung up, dialling harry's office.

"harry, call draco and be in my office in ten minutes. i don't care what business he's doing with scorpius, we've got babysitters here. light lord, perhaps a second of voldemort."

"of course."

i picked up the ringing phone that was in the corner of hermione's office.

"y/n, me and scorpy are having a zoo day, we're at the muggle zoo you suggested."

"sorry dray, but it's important."

"there's no one else?"

"there are others, but we need your expertise."

there was a pause, "i won't need to show my dark mark?"

"it's fading anyway. no."

"i'll be paid?"

"in hundreds."

"how old are the children?"

"2 and 4," hermione said.

the silence told me he was sold.

"i'll be there."

i picked up the big microphone and said, "auror unit 156 to the brief room. no need to bring anything. see you there!"

"good luck," hermione grimly said, "be safe, head."

"mhm and cup o' coffee tomorrow? if i survive, that is," i grinned.

"'course."

i smiled, "c'ya!"

she was shaking her head.

"oi, no disappointment, 'mione! i was the one who got the ministry out of paperwork!"

"burning paper doesn't count, y/n."

"it wasn't burning paper, hermione granger, it was arson."

"no, it was the saddest form of arson i've ever seen."

"hey! that's rude."

"just go on your mission already."

i laughed, "on it, minister. kalle?"

kalle looked at me, "yes?"

"tell miss minister to take a break and play a game or something, will you?"

she smiled, "okay."

"give my thanks to your mother too, loved the cookies!"

"alright, good luck, head!"

"thanks, bye!"

i apparated to the brief room, where everyone was strapped into special camouflage clothes.

i handed hepole the parchment and immediately began briefing the unit, harry and draco, on the mission.

"please be safe out there. if you're injured, apparate or travel back here, okay?"

i looked at hepole.

he cleared his throat, "they're in albania. the forest there."

"okay. harry and draco will provide attacking forces," the two nodded.

"i want lopex, quentin blake, quentin grill and hilly to break into any establishment," i say to the team, "and eron, hawks, melv, argonas to hold the offender hostage. johnathan, team healer as always. i'll take the children. hepole, you come and accompany us till the forest, then you have my permission to stay back, and beckers, stay invisible with the cloak, write a report for the minister when you come back, understand? have faith, team! i believe in you. we travel by apparition with the machine in three minutes. call your family, chat, have a snack, drink some water, and relax."

i picked up my telephone and dialled my parents.

"hi mum, dad, i'm going on a mission!"

"alright, be safe sweetie," my mum called.

"yeah, don't die kiddo," my dad added.

"right right, i love you, bye!"

the mission was successful. we rescued the children and sent the kidnapper to trial for azkaban. i escaped with a gash on my forearm, but quickly fixed it up with a spell. it ended late in the evening, so the team healer had gone home. the wound kept opening again, but i wasn't sure if it needed stitches.

putting everything away and making sure the aurors were okay, i headed back to the apartment i shared with fred.

i felt emotionally and physically drained, ready to enjoy a good shower and a good late dinner.

when i fiddled with the key to the door and opened it, my heart absolutely stopped.

pretoria aphrodite was kissing fred passionately. i felt my heart fall ten thousand flights of stairs in disappointment. of course. i was all a rebound who was pathetically in love with him.

when they stopped and saw me, pretoria smirked and fred stood up, astounded.

"uhh, continue? sorry," i apologised awkwardly.

"wait, y/n, it's not what it looks like-" he said.

"i don't mind, be safe," i smiled, too tired and too weak to do anything, closing the door and feeling tears well up in my eyes as i took my bag and myself somewhere. anywhere away from this all. my wound burned. i cursed under my breath as i made my way to st mungo's.

"y/n, you should have come here earlier!" yvonne, my friend, says, as she slowly injects a needle into me, "it's infected! and it needs stitches."

i laughed, "everything needs stitches. this is why i didn't become a healer, yvonne."

she shook her head in dismay.

"lol."

i watched the needle go in.

then she stitched the bloody mess of a wound up, cleaning it gently.

"now i can't stay, y/n," i pouted, "no, don't give me that face, i have other patients."

i nodded, "thanks yvonne."

"no problems. take care. you're too reckless."

"am not!"

she laughed. "that's funny."

after the trip to st mungo's which was pretty short, i wondered what to do. my mind kept floating to the scene i had just witnessed.

i was just the stupid, stupid, girl he used as a rebound. he didn't even use me as a real rebound, just someone who was simply infatuated with him to help him forget his unforgettable ex.

looking at a shop window, i caught a glimpse of myself. i hated being insecure but it happened.

i looked ugly. eyes too small, nose too big, lips not full enough. my thighs touched and i didn't have abs. i had a long gash running down my forearm, surrounded by other cuts. my hair was messy and disgusting. compared to the angel on earth pretoria was, i was nothing. small and plain was nothing when luxurious and beautiful was present.

and it hurt. my heart hurt. my head hurt.

i shook my head gently of my thoughts, chuckling bitterly.

fred weasley was completely and utterly out of my league.

whatevs, i thought. hurting was fine.

deciding to get over him once and for all, i bought some groceries and apparated to the doorstep of lee and alicia's glamorous cottage.

i knocked twice on the door. "hellooo!" i called out.

"baby, can you get that?" lee asked alicia.

alicia opened the door, smiling as she saw me.

"hey ali!"

"hi! come in!"

at first glance i could tell she knew something wrong.

"can i sleep here tonight? and take a shower? and eat some of your food please guys? and maybe steal a shirt i left here for safekeep? and maybe use your telephone? i'm really sorry for troubling you, so i got you guys snacks."

i was the second cousin by marriage of lee. it was good overall, but he was super naughty.

"snacks?"

"your favourites."

"then i guess you can," he said cheekily and i laughed.

"alicia, i don't know how or why you ended up with this child, but i'm glad you did," i told her and she laughed heartily.

"he's cute, isn't he?"

"no," i quickly stepped into the guest bedroom and took a long shower, letting a few tears slip but not enough so that it looked like it. i was subtle.

i bundled up in heavy clothing and wrapped my hair in a towel.

gingerly, i bandaged the wound.

by the snores in the other room, lee was asleep. i crept out quietly, going to cook something.

alicia was sitting down, with my favourite comfort meal prepared. i felt tears of appreciation well up in my eyes.

"thank you, ali, i love you."

"you damn well do."

we both giggled.

"what happened?" she asked me.

"nothing. i just wanted a change."

"from fred? liar. i'll ask again. what happened, y/n?"

"just a long mission, that's all."

"after long missions you usually watch movies with fred."

"couldn't i visit my best friend and my cuz?"

"you visit us on weekends. it's a friday."

"well i wanted to visit you!"

"bullshit."

"is it that hard to believe?"

"what the fuck did fred do to you?"

"nothin'?"

"c'mon y/n, you have to tell me. there's a reason why you didn't go to angie and george's tonight."

"i went here because they're super kissy. you guys have space and act normally. i appreciate that."

"you're awesome at lying."

"i'm not lying!"

"does this happen to involve pretoria aphrodite?"

i nodded, sighing, "she's so nice and pretty." i played with my food.

"i bumped into her. she's pretty, but not nice."

"oh?"

"she called me fiercely ugly. she forgot i model for witch weekly too."

"what did you say back?"

"i told her to fuck off."

i laughed, "she was very nice to me. but next time i see her imma kill her."

"of course she was nice to you, you're a lil angel! anyway, she's an animagus, didya know?"

"whoa how did you know?"

"caught her in a jar. she's a fly. who do you think told hermione to catch rita skeeter in the jar?"

i laughed, "rita skeeter is a beetle! gosh, she's annoying."

"what did fred and pretoria do?"

"nothing."

"please tell me?"

"they-" i swallowed, "they were kissing, and so i came here because i didn't wanna watch anymore."

"hang on, he told you he loved you a few days ago?"

i nodded.

"that doesn't seem right."

i shrugged, "pretoria's better than me. i don't blame him."

"his mother would kill him!"

i shrugged again, "i don't think he was legit when he said that."

"molly weasley, y/n!"

"look, he can explain it to you, i don't even wanna hear it. the first stage of mourning is denial, they say."

"doesn't mean it's good."

"denial is awesome. it's ignorance, but you choose to be stupid. i'm already so stupid!" i groaned, covering my face with my hands, "so so so so so so so stupid, foolish, dumb, and i don't want you to tell me i'm not because i know i am. pathetic."

i gobbled down the rest of the meal, "ths 's delicous," i said, swallowing, "g'night!"

"don't be afraid to let it all out."

"yeah."

i shut the door softly, before brushing my teeth and collapsing exhaustedly on the bed, nodding off quickly.

the next day, i woke at 4am, and put on new clothes, apparating to the phone box and filling out paperwork for the missions yesterday.

i joined hermione quickly, handing her a cappucino and sipping my mocha.

"court sitting this early?" she asked me.

i nodded, "mistake of sirius black, now they do all court sittings within 24 hours of arrest."

"that's smart."

"yeah. it's good. he's obviously guilty right? just a dust of veritaserum to bring it all out?"

"i reckon he'll just confess."

"criminals don't go down easily."

"you guys did a spotting job. the children were unharmed."

"are they here today?"

"they're in st mungo's. being monitored."

"parents?"

"dead."

"oh gosh, those poor children. what's going to happen to them?"

"someone's adopting them, wally becker and his wife."

"that's awesome."

the court hushed as we entered the room. hermione and i shared amused glances and began the sitting.

he was found to be guilty and was chucked in azkaban.

"what an idiot, sending a message like that."

"yup," i chuckled, "what with hepole in our ministry, they never escape."

we laughed.

"how's everything with ron?" i asked her.

"i don't know if he's still into me?"

i almost laugh at her statement, "bro. of course he is."

"i never see him."

"then see him more!"

"how? i'm so busy!"

"busy enough for ron?" we both took sandwiches from the canteen lady with courteous smiles and words.

we sat down at the cafeteria.

"i guess not, but he's busy!"

"busy enough for you?"

"i guess not."

"'xactly."

"but he might not wanna go on a date."

"why? the boy's obsessed with you, 'mione!"

the aurors and ministry workers looked at us in fear as i rose up. i chuckled.

i immediately skipped over to the telephone, putting in the WWW's number.

"y/n! what on earth are you doing?" hermione said in a panicked tone.

"nothing to be worried 'bout."

"hello?" it was george. i thanked the heavens for that.

"yolo george, give the phone to your lil bro please."

"'kay."

hermione was gaping at me. i smirked at her.

"y/n?"

"hey ron, i want you to meet me in rosemary park at 5pm today."

"o-okay."

"could you also bring hermione's favourite snacks and wear an extra jumper?"

"what? why?"

"i'm curious, that's all," i said, "see you there!"

"is that y/n?" i heard fred's voice.

"nup, it isn't," i replied.

and with that, i hung up.

"hey 'mione?"

she was glaring at me, "what."

"meet me at rosemary park at 5pm?" i batted my eyelashes at her, before bursting out in laughter.

she laughed, "i love you."

"pfft, love ya too. you really are too careful. like he would reject you."

"what do you think i should wear?"

"let's go off work early today, at 3," i suggested, "we're both on top of our work anyway."

"okay! you wanna go now?"

"it's 11?"

"yeah!"

"alrighty! kalle!"

kalle turned to us, "yes?"

"hi! me and minister are going out to talk about the mission."

"alright, bye."

we apparate to hogsmeade.

"what theme do you wanna go for?"

"hmm," she thought for a second, "floral!"

"alrighty!" i fumbled for my cell phone and dialled the WWW's again.

"hello?" it was fred this time.

"heyo freddie," i said to him like nothing had ever happened, "tell ron to dress up at 5 pm in something cute but not too out there, preferably in florals or somethin', and he better bring me hermione's favourite flowers."

"wha? if he's going with you then- ohhhh."

"thanks, bye."

"wait!"

"mhm?"

"can we talk?"

"erm- about what exactly?"

"everything."

i sighed, "later, okay? i'm out with hermione and you've got work."

"okay. have a good time, lovely."

"you too."

i was utterly confused. here he was one day kissing pretoria, and now he was calling me lovely?

what the hell was going on?

"let's go, mione!"

we went and bought her a pretty pink dress with white lilies adorning it. it was cute and definitely casual, sort of like a sundress.

"what if he doesn't come?" hermione chewed on her lip.

"hermione jean granger, we both know that ron is absolutely definitely a thousand times head over heels in love with you. he wouldn't ditch you for the world! and look at you! anyone can see he's lucky to have you! you both are star-crossed. when has he ever ever ditched you?"

"with lav brown."

"lavender, she's, she's dead, hermione," i said carefully, "fenrir greyback bit her to death. it was a tragic, heroic, death. she was listed in the extended casualties sent to my office a few months after the battle. i think she's watching down on us from wherever she is up there."

"she's dead?"

"yeah," i replied sadly, "life is so short."

"yeah."

"what i'm tryna say, is that that might've happened, but it won't happen again now that he knows you love him and he loves you. understand?"

"yeah."

"and love him well, for the sake of lavender brown."

"for the sake of lavender brown," she said, smiling.

"yup, now, light lord. his name is actually pont knight."

"pont knight?"

"former assistant of me."

"pont knight?"

"yeah, i know right."

"how did he go again?"

"oh, i fired him," i laughed.

"why?"

"smart guy but terribly lazy and he kept asking for promotions! like please do something if you want money."

"interesting."

"he moved to eastern europe to chase after the trendiness of the islands. i think it was just an excuse. he's changed. he used to be clean-shaven and have the blondest hair."

"do you think he did anything else?"

"we did put him on veritaserum, right?"

"yeah, but it's illegal to put someone on it for more than 10 minutes now in court sittings."

"we could go visit him in azkaban later? i'll take gregir."

"yeah, maybe tomorrow or the day after?"

i nodded, "'course. today is a rest day for the aurors right?"

she nodded, "yeah, half of the agency is at home or working out in the gym."

"good. sometimes this work is so tolling, 'mione."

"yeah, i heard from st mungo's you got hurt?" her eyes were concerned.

i rolled up my sleeve, "that's it."

"that's it? what do you mean, that's terrible! you need to take better care of yourself."

"well sometimes it's hard to. it was worth it."

we continued chatting until it was 4:30.

"oop!" she checked her watch, "i have to go!"

"good luck! tell me how it goes, minister! i'll head back to check if anyone's called for you or me and dust it all up."

"thanks. i owe you."

"nah. i owe my job to you. if minister for magic didn't exist, i wouldn't either. i love you 'mione, be safe!"

"love you too!"

i apparated to the phone box and typed my letters in.

with a whoosh, i immediately spotted two letters and a beeping phone. i answered the phone, solving the problem of the woman on the other end of the line and scribbled a reply to both of the letters.

i finished the paperwork and sent it off, then visited my office. it was piling with letters. i answered all of them, redirecting some of them to different departments, before calling everyone back.

i spotted some of the aurors from yesterday's mission sitting in the cafeteria and talking.

i sat down next to them, "how are you guys doing? any injuries?"

they shook their heads, "we've been spending time in the healer's office and just exercising lightly by the orders of johnny," argonas explained and i nodded.

"take it lightly, and go home if you want to. seeing family always helps the process, hopefully not too many nightmares?"

they laughed, "nightmares all the time, miss," hawk said lightly, "get used to it in this job."

i frowned, "have you tried speaking to doctor yvonne? she might have ways to solve nightmares."

"ahh, miss, sleeping draughts can only do so much," hawk replied cordially.

i laughed, "alright, hawkeye, but just make sure you're not getting traumatised okay? what about you, lopex, quentins?"

they shrugged.

"it's okay? the door was very hard to bust into," lopex said quietly, "we had to try several bombarding charms."

"now, lop, it was easy work!" draco said, sitting down, "hello, head auror, hello unit."

it brought on a cacophony of greetings.

"how are you doing, dray?" harry sat down next to him, "hi everyone!"

we all replied with more greetings and a steady conversation started and flowed for a couple of hours.

i felt my cell phone go off and i excused myself, noting it was 9pm already.

i apparated to the apartment doorstep, knocking on the door just in case anything was happening. i checked the caller id, it was hermione.

fred opened the door, hair messy, still good looking. i smiled at him, patting his shoulder as i ran to the ringing telephone and picked it up.

"y/n!" i could just hear the beam in hermione's voice.

"'mione! how did it go?"

"absolutely wonderful, head auror, ahhh, he's so cute!"

"what happened?" i asked, smiling already.

"well it was really cold when i saw the picnic blanket, which was matching my dress for some weird reason, and ron was there in the cutest button up and he looked so handsoME and he gave me a flower, he's always handsome but i just can't! ahhhh!" she squealed and i clapped my hands in excitement.

"and then i was shivering and he gave me hiS JUMPER and it smelled like him and oh my gosh i think i might just be in love, y/n!"

i giggled, "my cooling charm did work!"

"whaT y/n????"

cackling, i said, "continue, i wanna hear more this is so adorable!!!"

i ignored the dirty glance fred gave me, quietening my voice.

"and then we had food and he said he had cooked it himself and was being such a dear and i told him that i loved him over and over again!!!"

i squealed silently again.

"and, and, gosh my english has gone out of the window!"

"english is nothing compared to the language of love!!" i giggled.

"we watched the sunset whilst cuddling, and i fell asleep and then when i woke up i was in his bed and he was looking at me intently and i just, i'm the luckiest girl alive!"

"you are but you deserve it! that's so sweet! i'm happy for you goshhh, you are the cutest couple. you're both such darlings!"

"and then we watched a muggle movie and he got scared of the spiders and it was so adorable ahhhhHHHH!!!"

"that's the cutesttttt," i gushed.

another dirty look from fred. i gave him a frown back.

"and then he walked me home and it started raining and we kissed in the rain and another check off of my bucketlist and oh my gosh he's so perfect."

"oh gosh that's beautiful," i was smiling uncontrollably.

"anyway," her tone changed into one of mischief, "wanna meet up tomorrow to talk about it?"

"sure thing! when and where? i'll be there!"

"erm, lemme chec- think," i heard the suspicious rustling of papers.

"you're sus. let's just talk about it over the phone. i don't want anything weird."

"how about 10 am in the morning at the field of fireflies?"

"that's a highly romantic place, miss minister. isn't it for couples or something?"

"no? you must be talking about fiona farm."

oh. "yeah, probs, well okay, it better have good coffee. i'm dying of boredom too, does it have a playground??" i asked, hopefully crossing my fingers.

"nope."

"awww, shucks, i don't think i'll go then. you wanna come over though?"

"no please come! there's a surprise!"

i was sold, "lovely. i'll be there at 9:30!"

"no, no, don't do that."

"what the hell, hermione, you're being so suspicious!"

"i'm not, okay? just come on time, you won't regret it."

"if there's any funny business i'm not committing arson ever again."

"oh crap."

i sighed.

"just come anyway!!! good night cheerio!!!"

"what the-"

the line ended.

i frowned, noticing the glare fred gave me yet again.

"is everything okay??" i asked him.

"no," he said rudely.

"well, do you need any help?"

"no."

"how was your day?"

"fine."

i sighed, "okay."

"you called ron cute."

i laughed lightly, "that's it?? and so what's kissing a girl huh, nothing? i called him cute because he treats 'mione like a goddess, because she is a goddess, for goodness sake. and he is cute, in a completely objective way," i added absentmindedly, "all you weasleys are."

he frowned.

"she kissed me!"

"oh i don't mind, i couldn't. my two braincells can't handle it. you kiss whoever you wanna, okay? live, laugh, love, and all that." i smiled.

he was silent.

"and we can talk after i meet up with hermione, okay?"

"okay."

"we don't needa if you don't wanna, of course. g'night."

"have a nice sleep."

the next morning, i got up and went to the field of fireflies or whatever.

it was a beautiful place. it was a full on field. meadows stretched across the near english countryside. the sky was clear and light, and the world around me was stunning.

winds blew from all directions, and i soon found myself accio!ing a jumper.

"hermioneeee???" i called, "you're leaving me hanging."

had hermione stood me up? i chuckled at the very thought, soon rolling in the field of flowers as i laughed.

"hermione you devil you stood me up! you left your poor little work wife hanging!" i shouted dramatically.

i suddenly spotted a little house? by the side of the meadow.

i ran towards it.

"whoa."

it was absolutely magnificent. beige little bricks were stacked on top of each other, grey bricks dotted in. the shillings were dark green, and plants hung out everywhere in the cracks of the house.

large windows which reflected the blue light in the sky spanned across the whole house, and a single wooden door stood ajar.

i just wish i had brought a camera. i sat on the grass, playing with the hem of my jumper sadly. even hermione didn't have time for me. i wondered what a sad person i must seem like.

"contemplating life there?" i heard a far off voice. i swung my head around, seeing fred standing and grinning.

yeah well duh i was, no thanks to you, i thought.

i immediately got up.

"we can talk here, right?" fred asked, as he brought me into the house.

"wow," inside, it was cluttered and messy, with plants sprouting everywhere and bookcases and things everywhere. i loved it.

"you like it?" he asked.

"love it."

"good, because i bought it," he laughed at my flabbergasted expression, "i'm rich, darlin'. let's sit, i cooked lunch."

"was this your plan? to have hermione stand me up?" i asked.

"love, i wouldn't call this a plan. simply just a boy trying to explain himself."

"look i don't need an explanation. i told you, you can love whoever you wanna, i don't mind, i don't care, i support."

"but i'm gonna have to explain because i wanna kiss you."

"then go ahead," i sighed, "if you're lying i will stab you."

"jeesh okay."

i looked at him.

"oh yeah, i forgot the food, here," he said casually, handing me a plate filled with yummy looking delicacies. i was willing to put up with his rubbish story telling for the food, i guess.

"alright, i'm all ears."

"okay. so she talked with you right?"

i nodded.

"did she take a piece of hair from you?”

i nodded again.

"so you came home just right about when the night lights flicker on in london. or so i thought it was you. it was actually, aphrodite, yeah? in polyjuice potion. and she knocked on the door, which i thought was strange. i opened it and she immediately kissed me, as you. and it was weird but it was you and i would give the world to kiss you like that," he said bluntly and i could feel my face heating up, "and then it went like that for a few seconds and she turned into pretoria, and by then the woman had her claws on me. then the door opened and i knew i had made a mistake and then you left and apologised so sweetly. i'm so so sorry, my love, please, i never meant to hurt you, i never meant to do anything. i broke up with her last year. i haven't wanted to be with her since. i want to be with you."

i looked at him. i knew he was genuine.

"okay. i'm sorry too, for not trusting you. i guess i was just really unsure of our relationship. it's still kinda blurry."

"what do you wanna be?"

"could we be official, please?"

he grinned, "of course."

then smiling sheepishly, he added, "can i kiss you now?"

"only if i'm the only girl you kiss from now on," i teased, smiling.

he blushed, placing my hands over his heart. it was beating very very fast.

"feel that, beautiful?"

i nodded.

"only you."

he gave me a cheesy grin and laughed at my blushing face, before tilting my head upwards and going in for a kiss but kissing my cheek.

"that's not fair!"

and that's how his head ended up falling into my lap, as i ran my fingers through his ginger strands.

he had fallen asleep just as the sunset began.

it was breathtaking. hues of orange and red danced across the sky.

"i can think of something a lot more beautiful than that," fred said, smiling.

"oh?"

"yeah. yeah."

"i don't believe you."

"that's because you can't see yourself right now."

144 notes · View notes

evacado3 · 3 years

Text

His princess ❣︎

joongooxreader pt1 pt2 pt3/3

Word count: 1393

When the chairman asked to see you personally, the first thought was definitely, I'm getting promoted.

This is it, after working full-time with that dimwit, I'm getting promoted~ And I might finally get a chance to work with Gun! You squealed at the thought, skipping through the hallways in delight, faintly humming a song.

In front of his door, you smoothed out your suit, a brand new one just for this exact event. Taking a deep breath, you pushed open the door. But what awaited you was a little, no, a lot different to what you expected. A smug-looking man, manspreading on the couch, and the chairman sitting straightly.

"Princess, I missed you!" Goo exclaimed, not too surprised when you shot him a glare. Ngl, after working with him for nearly two weeks, it's shocking how much he grew onto you. Is this his manipulative side everyone talks about?

Maybe the gut feelings were mistaken, maybe the butterflies that erupted in your stomach when the nickname 'princess' was used, were simply all an illusion.

Oh, but he noticed, how that glare was far softer than before. How your eyes would linger on him a bit longer every time he treats you after work. How you wouldn't protest about his sickly sweet nicknames anymore, how you'd enjoy his company.

The chairman snapped you out of your trance, "Take a seat." You plopped down on the place besides Goo where his hands patted. Honestly a little confused as to why you complied without complaint. You might not catch it, but his smirk widened more seeing you so obedient.

"I don't think you've heard, but you've made quite a name for yourself, miss y/n."

You tilted your head in perplex, and why on earth was Goo gawking at you like that. Creep.

"Goo's princess."

"Pardon me?" your neck snapped towards the strict man. you couldn't find an ounce of insincerity on his emotionless face. Dead silence rang through the room till Goo's laughter burst out in amusement.

Oh lord how you were wrong, let's never underestimate your gut feeling. The butterflies are going insane upon his laughter, wait, why are my cheeks burning?

"Princess! This is unexpected, but what we're trying to say is ..."

The sentence echoed throughout the room.

"What did you say?"

"I said, what we're trying to say is, you'll stay working with me, sweet pea!"

Hold on, haha I'm so tired I'm hallucinating. Right?

Your face was blank, well more like restrained.

All you were thinking about was should you risk it by yelling in the chairman's face. Though in the end, you'd rather not lose your job. So you took a big breath, "What's the meaning of this?" you said exasperated.

Goo brushed his hair back, standing up with hands behind his back. "Well, I suggested to the chairman, since more people will be targeting you now, there's no need to change and put other people into danger! Right? Miss y/n." he announced proudly.

The first use of your name to ever fall out of his lips.

"Do you have a fever princess? You're a bit red." Goo mentioned. This man needs to stop examining you like that, with those tempting eyes. You didn't even notice he took off his glasses until you finally looked him in the eye.

"I-I'm fine, just recovering from the shock." you blurted out. "But president, does that mean I have to stick with this moro- I meant Goo, until the rumors are resolved? And without increasing my salary?" you sulked.

The man cut off Goo before he could speak, "If a raise is what you're looking for, that's already done. But about the rumors, they won't go out after a day."

To be honest, your face is more green than red. Hold on, didn't I come here just to work with my beloved jonggun, time out, what's going on.

"Please just tell me what's gonna happen." sighing loudly, you lean forwards, massaging your forehead with one hand.

"I'm going to make you collect debts with joongoo instead of jonggun."

Ok, that's it. You blew up. "Wait! Chairman please, you cannot be serious about this!" Man did your dreams just wash down the drain in front of you, yeah it did.

"Buttercup, you don't have to worry about working with me! I'm reliable you know?" Goo grinned, seeing you speechless gave him another level of refreshment.

A fly might have gotten into your mouth, but that's all nothing compared to the bullshit you've just heard. Your mouth wide open, trying to digest the info you were given.

"Hold on, so you're telling me, to work every day plus night, full-time, no rest while dealing with a fool AND putting my life on the line?"

"You're pay is increased by 50 percent."

"Deal."

----------------------------------------------⌫

"Hey boss, it's them! Goo and his woman!"

You rolled your eyes hearing those words, crossing your arms, "Gosh could people stop saying that?"

Goo turned around to smirk at you, "I could get used to this, in fact, I think this is fantastic!" He turned back only to meet the eyes of the gang's boss. Oh how he terrified him with his menacing smile, a signature one of course.

"Jackass," you muttered under your breath.

"Hey, you give me a new nickname every time don't ya. What about hubby, or even prince char-"

"No way! There's no charming thing about you, I'll stick with my nicknames thank you. But anyway, why is the leader quivering like that?"

Something's not right.

"You've got to be kidding me.” you groaned.

The head only chuckled tensely, “M-mister Goo, you certainly are early, would you like something to drink? Or..." he scratched the back of his head. I wish I could tell him to drop that fake ass smile.

Goo checks his watch with a grimaced face, "No, we're just on time. Now if you would kindly show us what you've prepared?" he leaned towards the boss.

The leader avoided eye contact with the towering man, mumbling a few words. "Huh? I can't hear you man, hold on, you do have the money right? My schedule was delayed and I've given you guys three extra days!" he made a pissed-off face, "I was gonna grab dinner after this, so let's clear up this misunderstanding. Fast."

This doesn't usually happen frequently, the sum isn't even that difficult to make. Unless if you're not good with money, but then why would you make a gang?

Do I just have bad luck, still I'm glad I'm not wearing anything too expensive. The crew didn't look too pleased with Goo's statement, one by one they begin taking out their weapons.

"Princess, behind you~"

You sighed while murmuring some curses, lifting your arm and slamming back your clenched fist, whacking the guy's nose. Why am I always the option for a hostage? Sighing even more, you asked, "You want help?"

"Yes please cutie, but if you keep sighing like that, you'll get shorter!" The audacity of this man to insult you while fighting off people like it's such a daily thing.

Upon his mockery, you decided to just not help, walking away from the scene and ignoring his whining apologies. Instead, approaching the boss on the side, flinching when he felt your firm grip on his shoulders. What a pussy, you thought, is he shorter than me?

"Don't come near me! Guards, hey!" he shrieks, earning a loud snicker from you. "You call yourself the boss? Hey, look at me. Your guards aren't coming ok? You'll have to deal with me."

You grinned, one that sends chills down his spine, making him back off into a corner. Goo should be done soon, even if he isn't, he's gonna rush. Just to see the daunting expression on your face when you finished your job.

Then at the end of the day, he'll award you for your hard work. Even taking a nice short stroll with you, treating you some ice cream. Things like this are what makes work tolerable, it's not far-fetched to even say enjoyable. Though you'd never admit.

And he won't stop spoiling you, not until he loses interest. But maybe, just maybe those little butterflies are also fluttering in his tummy. Somethings telling him this isn't just about interest, it's a lot more.

After all, you are his princess.

#gooxreader #goo #goo kim #lookism x reader #goo lookism #webtoon lookism #lookism #joongoo #kim joongoo #fanfic

141 notes · View notes

charliedawn · 3 years

Text

Imagine being the only angel that still believes in Lucifer's redemption part 2

https://charliedawn.tumblr.com/post/646303435890769920/imagine-being-the-only-angel-that-likes-lucifer 1st part

Lucifer doesn't know what to do..He had woken up to a bunch of children poking him with little sticks, with no sign of you or Gabriel. He had no way to communicate with you and was feeling that the gates of Hell had closed their doors..He couldn't enter. Gabriel had made sure to block all of his usual accesses and even Mazikeen couldn't enter. He sighs loudly out of frustration before joining his hands and looking up, wondering if you could still hear him.

" I don't know if it will work but..I miss you, angel..I know that you thought you were doing good in replacing me, but I..I'm afraid that your decision may have altered things too much. I do not hear the souls of all those who should be suffering in Hell, and I feel empty without you by my side..You don't belong down there. It isn't your cross to bare.."

He takes a drag of his cigaret and let's out a puff of smoke before chuckling bitterly to himself.

" You know..I've noticed something. During your last visit, you said that you loved me at least 3 times..But I never thought about saying it back..In fact, I don't remember ever saying it back..Not once in 50 times you decided to come visit me.."

He seems to freeze for a moment at the realization before hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand, trying to hide his tears from the world as the guilt takes over him.

" I'm such an idiot, angel..You must feel so lost and confused right now.."

He tries to keep his cool, but it is becoming harder and harder. His hands are shaking and he feels the tears welling up at the corner of his eyes. Even his tears sting as he thinks of you, ruling Hell and scared of being caught. The thought only making him grip his hair tightly and groan in frustration. Chloe had tried to cheer him up the best she could, but..

"..She isn't you.."

He finally mumbles to himself and suddenly, his grief turns into rage as he remembers that you had defied him..HIM ! He was supposed to be the one keeping Hell, you had disobeyed his direct order, as if what he had said was of no importance..You are mad..There is no other explanation..

" I won't leave you there ! You hear me ! Can't you see the state in which I am because you're gone ?! My little angel..Your trick won't last long..And then ? What will you do ? Any demon could get their hands on you and..?!"

He closes his eyes and inhales deeply as thousands of thoughts of what those creatures would do to you..He had seen what they were capable of, and many wouldn't bat an eye before dismembering you for their own sadistic pleasure..The thought alone makes him shiver and turn his eyes red.

" If you can hear me, angel. Run. Get out of there. I don't want you to see to which extent this place is depraved, to which extent humans are. I don't want to see the faith you have for them falter..nor your love for me.."

He pauses before admitting that last part, knowing that that was his own selfish desire. He sighs loudly, he needed to get out of here and teleports himself to the nearby beach to take a big inspiration of the salty air and relaxes before continuing with a heavy heart, knowing that it would hurt you if you heard his next words.

" We should have never met, Y/N..I tend to destroy everything that I touch..You were only an innocent little angel and we both knew that, one day, this relationship would lead to something disastrous..I'm so sorry for not having reacted sooner..Dad was right..It would have been better for me to erase all of your memories, instead of keeping the first ones. They only paint a very different version of me..If you come back, I promise to give you everything back. I know that some of the memories will make you hate me, or even feel disgusted..But, that way, you will finally see the monster that you're trying to help.."

He lowers his head and nearly jumps out of his seat when he hears a voice behind him.

" Talking to someone ?"

He turns around swiftly to see you standing there with a small smile playing on your lips.

" Aren't you tired of praying someone that can't hear you ? It's been 5 years, brother..She can't hear you. She's been ignoring my calls as well.."

He only groans in annoyance when he recognizes the condescending voice of his twin and turns towards the counter as fast as he had turned around. But, unlike what he had previously thought, Michael doesn't leave and sits next to him, asking a glass of wine to Mazikeen that first glances at Lucifer for approval, which his finally gives with a slight nod of his head.

" So..What brings you to my charming little establishment, brother?"

Lucifer asks when Michael has his drink, that he gulps in one go to Lucifer's astonishment. Well..So much for the vow of sobriety..

" I know that you know where she is, Lucifer..Even though you won't admit it. An angel can't just disappear without you knowing something about it..I won't ask you where she is, I just wanna know if she's alright?"

Lucifer would have normally made a joke about him becoming attached to you, gladly invited him to leave or ignored him all together..But, surprisingly, he didn't have the will to and he sounded so genuine in his worry that Lucifer has to admit with a loud sigh.

" I don't know, Michael..As you could have guessed, every communication with her has been answered by a deafening silence..Wherever she is, she doesn't want to be found.."

Michael mimics his sigh and, for a moment, the same expression of worry and silent contemplation appear on both their faces as they stare far ahead at an invisible spot in front of them..Angels were archangels charge, not important enough to inform Father himself. But, still..Michael couldn't get you out of his head..Not that angels didn't frequently disappear, either slayed by some demon or wanted to become some guardian angel of Earth..But, this was you they were talking about. You had never left this long before and were too weak to be of any particular interest for any demon..However, that didn't mean he didn't worry about you. Where have you gone to? Knowing that he wouldn't probably find any answer with Lucifer, he decides to stand up and take his leave. However, to his surprise, Lucifer asked as he looks at him with a small mocking smile.

" You know that your an idiot, right?"

Michael frowns in incomprehension and also a bit vexed by Lucifer's insult. Lucifer that picks on his confusion as to what he was talking about, adds while pouring himself another glass of whiskey.

" You've had so many occasions to tell her how you truly felt..But each time, you were too much of a scaredy cat to do anything about it. Even when I was up there, it was so painful to watch. It's funny how we were born with the same face, at the exact same time and place..But, we are so different..I immediately knew what I felt for her the moment our eyes met, and I didn't waste my time like you did.."

Michael doesn't turn around, he only turns his head just enough to catch a glimpse of Lucifer's face when he replies.

" Is that so? Then, tell me, how did that work out for you, brother? She would have done anything for you, and you still find ways to hurt her..How many times must you fall before you realize that she is the only one to have ever truly and unconditionally believed in you?"

Lucifer doesn't respond and Michael doesn't wait for and answer as he walks towards the door..Fools. They were both fools in love with the same damn angel. Unaware to the both of them that someone was spying on their discussion..

" Master ?"

You had been so concentrated on listening to the discussion that you had failed to hear that the demon besides you was talking.

" Mmh?"

You mutter at the end, clearly not interested in whatever he was saying. However, the demon doesn't seem that surprised, Lucifer surely wasn't the most attentive angel after all..

" What do you think we should do with the rest of the murderers on level 4?"

Before you could truly think about the answer, you say out loud.

" Oh..Uh..Forgive them?"

The six eyes of the demon widen at the same time and he quizzically looks at you with confusion.

" My lord?"

The demon seems to not comprehend your demand and you want to face-palm yourself so hard..How did Luci ever managed to know what to do?!

" I mean torture them! Why are you coming to me for that, don't you know how to do your own job? Must I send you in the pit of eternal fire for you to finally understand not to disturb me?!"

If you were being honest? You loved pretending to be Lucifer. He was free and spent most of his time just barking orders on his throne. Since the humans were all sinners down there, nobody cared to do paperwork and everybody was obeying you..While in Heaven, you were just an angel, not a high-ranked one either..The only advantage you had was that power, the power to shapeshift. You usually used it to prank people of joke light-heartedly while mimicking archangel Gabriel when he would come and lecture you..Most of the other angels never understood you, and maybe this is why you had never assigned a higher post in the hierarchy? Not that Gabriel would ever let you become an archangel..You smile at the man that you had learned to consider as a big brother and a friend..It was thanks to him that you had met Luci. One day, as you were welcoming a new soul, a man that you recognized as archangel Michael came to supervise your work. To say that you had been stressed would be a huge understatement. Of course, he couldn't exactly fire you, but you knew that angels could be sent to Hell to take care of the bad souls..or worse. You remember Gabriel telling you that archangels, unlike common angels had the power to "kill" angels, or make them disappear anyway..This is why, you had decided to be on your best behavior that day, however you hadn't counted on Luci being there. You didn't ask when, in the middle of the meeting, Michael had excused himself and left, only to reappear a few moments later with a huge grin..

" So, how's the angel business doing?"

You forced yourself to smile and look back at him to list him a bunch of names you had processed that very day. Many angels did not see the point of your job..However, Luci was different. As soon as you looked up at him, his smile faltered and he frowned, as if he knew that you weren't genuinely smiling.

" Stop that."

He had ordered you and you had looked confused at the time.

" That. Don't smile..You look fake.."

You knew better than disobey an angel's direct command and stopped smiling.

" Does my appearance displease you, archangel Michael ?"

You asked, wondering if it was your face that was not to his taste or your whole appearance in itself ? He shook his head negatively before turning around and sighing.

" I thought you would be more interesting..A shame. From what I heard, you like to think outside of the box and make sure that everybody gets to laugh in Heaven..However, I've been following you since this morning, and you haven't succeeded in making me crack up even once..Care to explain why ?"

His accusative tone caught you by surprise, the great Michael wanted you to..make him laugh? That was unexpected..But, since he asked..A true smirk appears on your face as you think of some human joke that may earn a reaction from the archangel.

" Okay..Let's see..Do you promise not to get mad ?"

He arked an eyebrow, intrigued before smirking.

" Depends.."

Well, here was nothing..You had very few information on mankind and the future..Only Father had this sort of information. However, you all had been given the book of Truth that guided humanity..including the passage which talked about his son falling and being crucified to save humanity..You knew better than to joke about that, but what could you do to try to make the great Michael to laugh?!

" Why doesn't Jesus trust mankind ?"

The eyes of Lucifer widened, he hadn't expected that..

" Why ?"

You looked around, as if you were afraid that someone might hear you before whispering.

"He's afraid he'll get double crossed.."

At first, Luci stayed still, but soon his mouth etched into a grin and his eyes brightened with a certain amount of amusement.

" Ah ! I think that joke nailed it!"

His answer made you blank for a moment, but soon, you felt excited. When you had told your joke to Gab, he had simply sighed in utter despair, quickly reprimanding you on how this was no laughing matter..However, knowing that Michael could understand dark humour was the best surprise you'd had for centuries of existence.

" Listen, I have to go..But, keep up the good work and I'll be sure to check in once or twice.."

You smiled genuinely and nodded vividly, impatient to see him again.

" Ah! Here it is! You have a rather beautiful smile, angel..Try to use this one more often.."

You blushed at the compliment and Lucifer winked at you before walking away. Was that just your imagination or did the archangel Michael gave you a compliment ?! You squealed and let yourself do a little victory dance, interrupted by someone coughing loudly behind you. You turned around to see Michael standing there and blushed even more as he eyed you up and down with an amused smile.

" May I know what inspired that sudden little demonstration of happiness, angel Y/N ?" " You decided to ignore his question and ask teasingly instead.

" Did you perhaps come to hear one or two more of my jokes, archangel Michael ? Couldn't get enough ?"

Suddenly, archangel Michael walked straight towards you and lean in so close that you were starting to wonder if you hadn't made a mistake..He arked an eyebrow at you before replying quizzically.

" Weren't you informed that I was supposed to see you today ? The inspection ?"

Your eyes widened, stammering your answer.

" B..But you already d..did ? No?"

He raised an eyebrow in surprise before sighing loudly, understanding what had happened.

" You must have met my brother..Lucifer can be a little eccentric. Do not mind him. I hope that he wasn't too much of a hassle ?"

You turned around to hide your embarrassment, as you had confused Michael with his brother ! However, Michael didn't seem to really mind and only sighs before looking at the files you had made on the advantages of laughter, which earned you a small smile from him.

" I must admit, we were impressed by your work..Especially, the "twin prank". Me and Lucifer had a lot of fun in trying it on the other archangels..and even Father who laughed when we both started dressing as each other and walking around to see who would recognize us..But, what was the funniest, I must admit, was your own reaction. You created that idea, and yet had trouble recognizing it..Wouldn't that mean that we outsmarted you?"

Michael looks up at you with a mischievous grin and you can't help but smile back. At last, you had found other players among all of the archangels..Lucifer and Michael, huh ? Well played..Well played, gentlemen..

" No..Not at all..It just means that the rematch will be sweeter for me.."

You start shifting to their appearance and take one step towards Michael with a daring smile.

" See, archangel. When you try to prank the prankster, you must always expect the game to go on. Now, good luck to differentiate me to your brother.."Am I him ?" You'll both ask yourselves and I will be enjoying immensely your confusion as you both lose your heads.."

Michael, far from feeling threatened, smiles at you..You were different from the other angels he had ever encountered, that was for sure..He suddenly tookyou by the waist and watched as you blushed intensely. He then lowers his face to whisper in your ear. " I've got other ways to find out if your my brother or not.." You both hear a chuckle behind you and and look at Lucifer, smirking widely as he looked over the both of you. This is how you three had bonded: over a prank. And since then, you had never left their sides..Or at least until Lucifer's great fall..

The scared voice of the demon besides you gets you back to reality.

" No! Of course not my lord! I'm sorry..Please, forgive me..The level 4 is overcrowded and we must find a new place to put the new arrivals. Maybe if your majesty could create more space in this area?"

One of tree things that you had not predicted however is that Lucifer was a being capable of manipulating Hell's pit, as he was the one that had created it. Whereas your power only consisted in copying the physical aspects of a being, not its powers..

" I..I.."

You try to find an excuse, but nothing comes to mind, until a hand puts itself on your shoulder.

" No problem. I'm sure the lord is just feeling a bit lost after his long stay in the pitiful human world.."

You look up to find a demon with half of his face burnt down to a crisp and who looks at you with big green eyes. Somehow, he seemed far more intimidating than the other one and also intelligent as his eyes seem to pierce right through you. You shiver at his devilish smirk and quickly stand up to face him, in order to not make yourself even more suspicious.

" And who are you to tell me if I'm lost or not?! Who even gave you the permission to touch me, hmm?"

The demon suddenly takes a step backwards in surprise and kneels on one knee in front of you, his head lowered in respect.

" My apologies, my king..I didn't think that you would find my gesture so inappropriate. I am Azrath. Your second-in-command and faithful servant.."

Perfect ! You had just gave away that you had no clue that the man in front of you was your second-in-command ! You take a profound breath before taking back your emotionless mask and smile.

" I know who you are, Azrath..Your presence is just unexpected..What are you doing here ?"

The demon stands up again and you suddenly are very aware of how tall he was compared to you..His pale face contrasting with his half eaten half worm-infested chest. You have to look away in order for him not to see your eyes prickled with tears at the stench. Not that Hell smelt good in general, but the throne was so high above everything else that it was bearable, which you couldn't say for the walking corpse next to you..

" I just wanted to see if the rumors were true..You did come back.."

He seems almost disappointed for a second, but quickly composes himself and then gives you something that make your eyes widen as big as saucers..hearts..bloody hearts !

" Also, I took the liberty to gather the fresh hearts of the new arrivals..Just as you like them. Still beating."

Lord..Help me. You could see them moving and it takes all of your self-control not to throw up your own heart at the sight..However, you can feel it beating more widely in your chest..Even though you technically didn't have one, the feeling of pure horror conjured one..You force yourself to smile up at the demon and take the bag, trying your hardest not to look back at them..

" Thank you ! This is...lovely..."

This time, both demons seem to be taken aback by your words and you frown, what have you said this time?! The less intelligent of the two, noticing your confusion, takes it upon himself to answer your silent question.

" My lord..You've never "thanked" anyone before..You even forbid anyone to say it in Hell 1000 years ago.."

You understand and sweat profusely at the realization..The other demon remains silent, but the way he was staring at you suspiciously was enough for you to have doubts as to whether he was starting to understand what was going on..You had to do something, quick. You grit your teeths and yell as loud and as scary as you could.

" I am tired of this! Now, I've been gone for a while and wish to be left alone with my thoughts! Would it be possible or is it too much to ask?!"

Both demons fly away and you let out a sigh of relief. You look around and your eyes fall on a little demon that was flying by, transporting some letters. You frown, wondering what it was doing until you notice that it is going towards the gates. It must be a messenger! You summon paper and start writing a letter to Gabriel and call the little demon.

" You ! Send this to archangel Gabriel !"

The little she-demon quivers in fear, but doesn't dare refuse and takes the letter to the only communication link between Hell and Heaven. The tall and lanky skeleton that had talked to you earlier was sure to become a problem..He was far too smart for his own good..You would have to find a way to make him believe you somehow..You sigh loudly in frustration before running you hand through your...his hair..Suddenly, you smell something rotten just behind you and don't have the time to turn around before a dark chuckle sounds nears your ear.

" Archangel Gabriel, huh ?"

Your eyes widen and when you turn around, you find yourself in front of the same clever demon from earlier. His eyes seem brighter somehow and he is covered in..You have to muffle your mouth not to let out a scream or even vomit at the guts hanging from his shoulders and limbs..Oh my Goodness..The demon seems to perceive your uneasiness and hangs his head on one side, wondering what was wrong..You close your eyes and, after a few minute, open them again to see the monster actually smirking mockingly at you.

" What is the matter, Lucifer ? Did the human world affect you so much that you can't even stomach the sight of blood anymore ?"

He laughs at your horrified expression and suddenly takes you by the arm to yank you harshly forward, making you nearly fall from the throne.

" What are you doing?! Unhand me!"

You scream, but he only does a crooked smile before asking, almost expectantly.

" Aren't you going to use your wings, "my lord"?"

The way he had mockingly pronounced the two last words make you quickly understant that he was on to your masquerade and you glare at him.

" I won't let a pitiful demon like you intimidate me..I am your king and I am to he respected as such!"

However, far from feeling threatened, the demon only gets out something that you had forgotten about..the sword of Lucifer..

" The sword of Hell..Only demons or lord Lucifer can wield it..If any other etheral being were to try to use it, they would fall to the core of Hell to burn there for the rest of eternity..And one of the only weapons capable to kill even angels..Now, tell me..Still going to pretend to be our great master?"

You know that what he is saying is true..The sword is as sharp and bloody as it was the day Lucifer got rejected from Heaven..You didn't know what to do, so you admit reluctantly.

" I am angel Y/N, caretaker of humans joy and laughter of sector 45."

You were sure that he would pierce your body with the sword as soon as he would know, but the pain never comes and you open your eyes to see that the demon was now facing you. His wide green eyes were dancing around their sockets and his smile goes from ear to ear, showing his sharp and yellow teeths. He runs his tongue over them and has something in his eyes that makes you shiver in fear..hunger. He eyes you up and down and laughs darkly as you try to get away from him. However, you slip and fall. Not having any choice, you open your wings and all of the demons turn their heads towards you, the blinding light catching their attention. As soon as they see you, they all screech or roar in your direction and fly up in the sky to attack you. You start flying towards the gates, followed closely by waves of demons and Azrath that yells at the guards to cut the entrance. The two huge demons at the doors try to catch you with their bare hands, as if you were some kind of mosquitoe and you have to do multiple spins in the air to escape them. You know that their must be an entrance somewhere since the little demon messengers were able to pass. However, you didn't plan on the said entrance to be tiny orifices, big enough for the little demons to go through, but not you. You turn around to see the wave of demons coming closer..Well, looks like Luci was right..You hadn't totally thought that through..You would probably die here. You close your eyes and smile. At least, you had bought some time for Lucifer to live as he wanted among the humans for 5 whole years..However, suddenly, you feel a hand around your wrist. You open your eyes to see Azrath, dragging you towards the gates where he gets out the sword of Lucifer and cuts you with it. The burn is insufferable and you scream in pain as Azrath forces you to put your injured hand against the door.

" What are you doing?!"

You scream incredulously at his strange behavior, but he only lets out a spine-chilling groan before answering you.

" My great escape, sweetheart ! And if you want to leave, I would advise you to do as I say and shut up!"

You open your eyes wide as he starts pushing against the door, trying to get it open. You look behind you and see the demons flying in circle in the sky, wondering what their boss was doing..

" W..Why are you doing this?!"

You finally ask and, just as the door starts bulging, he answers you with terrifying smirk.

" I'm going to get back Lucifer..I've had more than enough of this place and I'm sure that if he is so reluctant to come home..then that means the human world must be a very nice place. Now, are you going to stay here with the nice little other flying monstrosities, or are you going to follow me, angel Y/N?"

He extends his hand towards you and look back at the screaming harpies and horned devils flying above your heads. You finally sigh and take his hand. As soon as your hand in his, his grin only widens and he runs outside, followed by you. You close your eyes and try to communicate with Lucifer.

" I'm sorry, Lucifer..I've failed."

On Earth, Lucifer was sitting besides Trixie that had grown into quite the young lady, as you had predicted..He finds himself smiling as the door opens and he sees Chloe come in with a loud sigh.

" Today was absolutely crazy at work..There has been some calls all over the cities..missing cats. Can you believe it?! Cats?! What are we?! The Cat Police?!"

The girl and Lucifer look up at her from the sofa while Chloe arks an eyebrow at them.

" What?"

They both look at each other with a serious expression, both nodding understandingly at each other and smile widely before looking back at Chloe with their hands joined together in a gun shape.

" You are under catrest !"

" Paws where I can see them, detective !"

They both yell at the same time and Chloe snorts..Of course those two would do cat puns..typical. However, she acts her part and raises her hands in the air.

" Oh no! You got me!"

They all smile, all the sion having left the room..But then, a loud caught catches their attention.

" Sorry to interrupt this..whatever this is..But, I must talk to Lucifer."

Here was Gabriel, in their living room..after 5 years of absence and Lucifer's smile automatically goes downwards as his eyes take a bright red tint. Chloe, sensing the danger, urges Trixie to go in her room. As soon as the girl is upstairs, Lucifer is quick to react and jumps on Gab to choke the angel.

" You! How dare you show your face again?!"

He shouts angrily, his eyes flashing a bright red. It takes Chloe to grab him by the shirt to yank him off the angel that stands up again to answer him between each pant.

" It's..It's Y/N..I..I made a mistake.."

Lucifer growls at him and responds sarcastically.

" You think?!"

The etheral being looks up at Lucifer with, for the first time in ages, an apologetic glance.

" It wasn't meant to last that long..You were supposed to get back down there a year later..But, she closed the gates, Lucifer. I couldn't come in myself. She closed the gates to anyone but the souls and now, I'm afraid that she may be in trouble, because of me."

Lucifer, far from feeling any compassion towards the angel, is bewildered by his apology and smiles in astonishment at his brother's admittance.

" Oh well..My heart bleeds for you, Gab..It really does. Not even recognizing your own brother must be terrible.."

Lucifer doesn't wait for an answer before pushing Chloe to the side on the sofa before punching Gabriel in the nose. Gabriel stumbles back with the force of the impact and raises his hand in surrender and repeats.

"I know that you are angry, brother..But, I'm not joking, Lucifer. She's in trouble."

Lucifer, astonished by the nerve of this angel that dared come to him for help, can't help but replying ironically.

" Oh! You're not joking?! Well good..Because neither am I !"

His eyes lighten up in orange and he nearly growls at Gab that gets out the letter you had send him to extend it towards Lucifer.

" She wrote me this..One of the demons is on to her..And, as I said earlier, I can't go in there. Not only did she close the doors, but you know as well as I do that I can't go in there without Father's permission.."

Lucifer snickers at Gabriel's pathetic excuse and shakes his head.

" No. I am not going to read that. Fuck off. She chose to disobey..She chose to replace me and she told me herself! She finds my job "extremely complaisant and entertaining". Even if I were to go there, she wouldn't want my help..Plus, as you said, she closed the gates! Only the spirits are allowed in..How do you suppose I get in?!"

However, it's Chloe that reacts first and grabs the letter out of Gab's hands to give it to Lucifer with resolution.

" Open it, Lucifer. You still are the king of Hell! Act like it!"

His eyes widen at Chloe's sudden agressive reply and his voice softens as he looks down at the woman and finally opens the letter to read it.

" Gabriel, my brother and my friend..It has been 5 years now that I've sealed the gates of Hell. I know you must be pretty furious, as our deal ended 4 years ago..However, I couldn't deny Lucifer of his happiness. I know that you can't understand my decision, nor why I did it..But, it's not that bad. I succeeded in blending in among the demons. I think Lucifer would be proud. However, I wanted to know if you could please enlighten me on one of the demons that just arrived in Hell. His name is.."

Lucifer's eyes widen at the familiar name and he looks up at Gabriel with shock..The name of his second-in-command was written on there, but he had deserted eons ago..Why come back now? It didn't make any sense, unless..His jaw clench and he fixes the letter intensely..Unless he had found his sword..as he had asked of him..And if it was the case, then his little angel had some serious problems on her hands..However, before he could voice his concern, he feels a vivid pain in his chest that cuts his breath off..He can feel that you're in danger somehow..But how to find you?! He groans in agony, trying to think of how to find you..until he remembers that there had been mysterious disappearances of cats in the neighborhood. He looks up at Chloe that is by his side, supporting him as he doubles on the floor in pain.

" The..cats.."

He tries to utter, but Chloe doesn't understand and leans in to have a better hearing.

" The cats..Where were they going? Where did the largest number disappear?"

" Around the old church..Why?"

He looks at Gab that instantly understands and nods before disappearing. Asrath was also known as the master of cats, this is why it had been easier for him to search for the sword undetected..He just had to believe that Gab would arrive in time. Chloe frowns at him and asks, bewildered.

" Well?! Are you going to stay there?? Go save her !"

He looks up at her with widened eyes, astonished that she would ever suggest it.

" I can't..I can't leave you, Chloe.."

Chloe takes a big breath before looking up at Lucifer with a small sad smile and caressing his cheek tenderly.

" Go, Lucifer..She needs you. We'll be fine.."

He finally nods and smiles up at her before kissing her on the forehead.

" I love you.."

She smiles with tears in her eyes and forces herself to nod.

" I know.."

And with that confirmation, Lucifer disappears as well, appearing near the old church and the pain worsens with every step he takes. When he enters the said church, it is filled with cats and he sees Gab, fighting Azrath. He looks around to spot you huddled near the cross, your face hidden behind your Y/C hair and then..he sees the blood. You were bleeding from your upper arm and he sees red. His body feels hot and overwhelmed by a new-found energy. He looks up at Azrath that was handling HIS sword against Gabriel that was struggling with fighting back. He walks towards them and as soon as Azrath notices him, he smirks and gets rid of Gabriel by throwing him against the cross that breaks in two. Gab wants to get up, but he feels a pain to his side and sees that Azrath had succeeded in wounding him..In normal circumstances, his wound would close itself immediately. However, this mighty weapon was one conceived especially to kill archangels, and Lucifer had made it with his own hands..The wound would take longer to heal and he felt himself fall unconscious. You whimper and try to help Gab by applying pressure on the bleeding wound, but Azrath notices you and stops you. You back away in fear, your wide eyes full of terror and Lucifer then sees why he had felt your pain..Azrath had carved an upside-down cross on your forehead, sending him a direct invitation..His blood is boiling in his veins as he sees what the vile creature had done to his poor angel, while Azrath seems proud of himself as he takes you by the hair and yanks you forward so you fall to your knees at his feet. It takes you a few minutes to look up, but when you do, his heart stops. In your eyes, the innocence and joy were gone..replaced by unbidden fear. He tries to help you up, but you scurry backwards and his eyes prickle with tears, as you were now afraid of even him.

" Oh..angel.."

He utters apologetically at you before glaring up at Azrath that frowns in incomprehension.

" Why are you looking at me like that?! She's an angel!"

He stands up and Azrath takes a step back as he senses the radiating rage of Lucifer that walks calmly towards him and extends his hand towards him expectantly.

" The sword. Give me the sword."

Azrath takes back his blank expression and shakes his head negatively before looking at the bloody sword in his hands.

" I'm sorry, Master..But you know I can't do that..You need to come back with me. Your kingdom needs you and this sword is the only thing hat can force you to come back.."

Lucifer sighs, knowing that he wouldn't give him without a fight. He suddenly tries to surprise him by sending him a punch, but Azrath, having premeditated it, uses the sword as a shield. But Lucifer, far from being bothered, takes the sword with his bare hands before kicking Azrath backwards. Azrath growls at him, showing his sharp teeths and snake-like tongue. He hisses, his voice dripping with venom.

" You really are going to fight me for her?! She's only an angel! The enemy!"

Lucifer glances back at you and smiles reassuringly at you before looking back at Azrath with eyes glowing in the dark.

" No.."

Azrath seems to be relieved by his answer, but it quickly fades out when Lucifer takes his original form and shouts between gritted teeths.

"..I'm going to kill you!"

Lucifer couldn't just control Azrath, he was too powerful for that..and had always been by his side since his great fall. Azrath closes his eyes and inhales deeply before looking up at Lucifer with his bright green eyes in which his pupils turn to slits and raises his hands in the air.

" As you wish, Master..Know that I never wanted this.."

Suddenly, the cats surround him and cover him from head to toe, melting into a sort of black armor. The great armor of Azrath. Great..Lucifer cracks his head to the side and grins up at his ex second-in-command.

" Always the attention seeker, aren't you Azrath?"

Azrath would have only ignored his comment normally, but this time, his comment earns him a slight chuckle, knowing that one of them would die tonight.

" You know me, Lucifer..I guess I took some things from you.."

After this exchange of ironic comebacks, they both become serious and in a flash, they are both at each other's throats. Azrath bites his shoulder hard and Lucifer slashes his face. Both of them are panting, but in their eyes the same fire burning bright..Suddenly, someone crashes inside through the window and interposes himself between the two demons.

" What is going on here?! What are you two doing here?! Hell is chaos and I find you both here?!"

Michael booms in obvious discontent, not having noticed the sword in Azrath's hands yet..Azrath takes it as an opportunity and raises his sword to strike him down.

" This is for you, Lucifer!"

He brings it down, but you use your last strength to stand up and stand in front of Michael. The three men are shocked and Michael is the first to react, he gets out his lance and decapitates Azrath in one swift blow. As for Lucifer, he quickly kneels besides you and takes you in his arms. He looks at his hand in horror, recognizing the smell and color of blood. He shakes you, trying to wake you up while crying out loud.

" No. No! No! No! Angel! Stay with me! You hear me?! Stay with me!"

He sobs and gets the hair out of your face, cradling your face kissing your face over and over again, hoping for your (Y/C) eyes to open again..Michael, after having made sure that Gabriel was alright, turns towards you and, for the first time in forever, feels tears prickle in his eyes at the realization. He falls to his knees by your side and gently pets the top of your head. He then looks up at the sky and asks for a miracle, begging his Father to bring you back..

" Dad! Please! Do not punish her even more! Please, bring her back!"

But his prayers are unanswered and the only one who seems to be affected by his words is Gab that gasps loudly as he wakes up. He looks at his wound and smiles as he sees that there is nothing left..However, when he sees your cold body on the ground, his smile turns into a pained grimace, his whole face twisting in sadness.

" Why? She saved Michael..She saved your son!"

Lucifer shouts, his eyes pointed towards the sky, not expecting an answer.

" Because, this is Michael's punition.."

They all look towards the direction of the voice, their eyes widening as they see Gab, his kind eyes looking above all of them with a numb stare, having finally understood why Father hadn't said or done anything.

" Michael, you really thought Y/N wouldn't know how you felt ? Your jealousy of your own brother..Jealousy that only grew to win the love of one being and threatened to destroy Heaven and Hell..The very same being that only wished for you two to be happy..She tried to make things right and replace you, Lucifer..Father gave her what she wanted, and what you both feared more than anything..She knew the price, but she asked HIM for your salvation and redemption."

Lucifer and Michael both stand up at the same time and open their mouths to voice their disapproval and utter outrage when Gabriel interrupts them, wanting only one thing now.

" Let's go home.."

He takes your body and looks at both brothers with tearful eyes.

" I hope you will be able to appreciate the second chance she has just both given you..You are both free."

And with those last words, he flies up with your body in his arms. Lucifer and Michael both look at each other and, without them knowing why, they both start tearing up. However, Lucifer forces himself to talk through his sobs.

" We can't..We can't leave her..She didn't deserve this..I know what punishment looks like, and she didn't deserve this! She didn't deserve to be sacrificed for our sakes!"

Michael, for once, agrees with his brother and extends his hand towards his brother.

" I know we had our differences in the past, brother..But, we need to show Dad that we are more! That we can be more than just hateful beings, if we want her back..Are you with me?"

Lucifer nods, and for the first in the History of the World, the Good and the Bad were to become allies in order to save you..

You open your eyes wide and straighten up to look around you, frowning in confusion at your surroundings. You were in the middle of a luxuriant forest with tall trees and bright purple fruits..Where are you? And most of all, how are you alive?! You look at your stomach to see that your wound has completely disappeared.

" How are you, my darling?"

You look up with astonishment as you see a tall woman with a bright green dress making her way to you. Her smile and welcoming expression make you think that she is not a threat, but you still have to ask.

" Hum..Thank you for saving me but, who are you? And where am I?"

She only chuckles at your question, as if it was the funniest joke.

" I'm sorry, my dear..Those are very good questions but, it's been a while since I've got some company so..hearing another human voice is quite exciting.."

You don't reply, waiting for her to answer your questions, which she does and you whiten at her answers.

" My name is Lilith..And this is my prison. I would say that it is the garden..but I've been locked up in here for so long that I can't remember much."

You had heard about Lilith, the first woman, the mistake, the mother of monsters..She had died so many millenias ago. And if you were with her, then that only meant one thing..

" Welcome to the Other Place! The place where angels and demons come when they die ! Of course, as not many angels or demons truly die..They stay here until Father needs them again..Come. You're the first one to get here since a few centuries..I'm sure you've got many stories to share."

Lilith extends her hands towards you with a wide smile and you look at her hand hesitantly for a few seconds before finally taking it with a small sigh.

" Yes. I guess I do.."

#lucifer morningstar #lucifer morningstar x reader #netflix #fandoms #michael

88 notes · View notes

fire-dwelling · 2 years

Text

So Yoshida disappears because her son says her role in this story comes to an end.

But no other characters disappear at all.

The implication then would be that those other characters still have a role to play in the rest of the story, so they don't disappear.

...

Okay, then what were they? What were the roles these other characters were supposed to fulfill for the rest of the manga? Because I don't see any reason those characters should have kept existing.

I know that sounds super nihilistic, but when your series ends with nihilism ("LOL religion is stupid but people are dumb and need it to keep going, and, oh yeah, let's have people not worry about how they can survive decapitation and have Honda and Juggernaut literally go 'whatever'"), it is hard to ignore the logical conclusion to that nihilism, namely, that the characters no longer have any role and therefore would have just disappeared like Yoshida did. You can't end your series saying that Death just loom over us at all times but act like offing your entire cast by wishing them into the cornfield is not also just as likely an ending.

Maybe there is a reasonable explanation. I mean, I could say, "Once Adolla was no longer merged with the Earth, and once Shinra and Lord Death got rid of pyrokinetic abilities, 'you disappear when your role ends' no longer applies." Fine, I can accept that rule for now.

But then we're to pretend that somehow Tamaki et al still had roles in the story? What are they? Because that would assume that their role in the story was going to persist even _after_ the world was brought back to life by Shinra in god form--and that, as with a lot of my complaints about this series, remains a big ask, a major moment of suspending disbelief. I don't think any character after Shinra restored the world really had any further bearing on the plot--not Ogun, not Takehisa, not Hibana, none of them.

If Tamaki existed just for Ohkubo to go red pill and tell his red-hat anime avatar weirdo audience that, "Yeah, that girl should just fulfill the role of fanservice and be nothing more," then how come Tamaki still exists in the story when there is no more obvious fanservice titillation around her? I mean, if her role is just fanservice, why give her any victory in this fight that was mostly based on her fighting ability and not the camera angles ogling her? Why not have her be fanservice in-your-face throughout the rest of the manga? I am not at all suggesting that he should keep using Tamaki as fanservice (she's underage, for Christ's sake), but if that's your argument, that she needs to embrace some role as fanservice, then wouldn't he have committed to that and done so? Wouldn't every last moment with Tamaki for the rest of the manga just be the most obvious fanservice shots? He can't even do that right--he states an intention, then doesn't follow through. I'm grateful he didn't commit to that, but he can't even be consistent with his awfulness: he's awful, then he gets bored with his awfulness and gives up. No wonder enough people thought he was just tired and wrapped up Soul Eater, NOT, and now Fire Force in the most tiresome ways possible. (Good thing he wasted time on Inca's "I want your sperm" nonsense--those pages totally were worth that nonsense rather than actually fixing what was wrong with his story.)

Why do the other characters exist after Tamaki's fight? So that Akitaru can die and lead Shinra to burn down the Earth? Why is Arthur still here, just to give Shinra that pep talk and plant into his head the idea to change reality? Why are any of these characters still around if they no longer serve any function to the story? Because, at a certain point, the story acts like anyone who is not Shinra does not matter. Sure, Sho and Mari are still there--but they just merge with Shinra, Mari says next to nothing, and Sho just keeps repeating the same "calm down" mantra. Haumea exists only to keep philosophizing about the death drive without saying anything significanlty new about it. The rest of the cast was burned down with the Earth. So, why do these other characters still exist if, as Yoshida's son said, a character disappears once their role in the story ends?

I get it, the characters still exist so that Shinra has someone to return to and hug in the "last" chapter. I get it, the other characters--good or bad, always dead or just dead in this final arc--are resurrected for an "everybody lives" ending. I understand those are the roles those characters serve in this story. But to act like _every_ character still had some role to play is bullshit. Look at the endings these characters got: Maki and Lisa are just shopping, Tamaki has a chemistry-less relationship with Juggernaut, Iris isn't thinking about how her family is resurrected but just whether her boyfriend is going to get Inca pregnant--what the hell is this crap? You can't say "this character is here because they serve some role" and have that role be so empty as "the girls out shopping, the girl getting put into a heteronormative relationship with little chemistry, and the girl failing the Bechdel test."

And this is all just so Ohkubo could rant for three chapters about anyone who didn't like his sexualizing of and embarrassing of an underage girl character in his manga and decided to dismiss all that criticism as "LOL bitchy old women that no one finds attractive." I swear, and I keep repeating this, his ability to write Maka and Crona was by accident, not by intention. The man has just fallen into the most toxic of thoughts, and I feel sorry for so many people looking forward to any Soul Eater anime reboot (if it ever happens) because he is going to find a way in this post-Fire Force world to make that worse than how Chapter 113 paid off.

#long post #dwells whines about fire force #(yet again)

3 notes · View notes

thatsgay-writes · 4 years

Text

Toph x Reader

Summary: You finally propose to Toph after trying and failing for a few months. You assist Aang with the Fire Lord and get injured, now it’s a rush against time to get you to Katara to be healed.

Warning: Light cursing?

(Everyone is aged up by 10 years and instead of the comet being at the end of summer, it was in 10 years. You are also an air bender, one managed to escape and married into a earth kingdom family undercover.)

Where did everything go wrong? Toph thought as she help your now mostly limp body in her hands. She wish she could see you just once. Toph felt a semi cold hand touch her face causing her to smile. "Hey you just have to hold on for a few more minutes, okay? We are almost to Katara and Zuko, Katara can heal you." Toph pulled you into her more, not wanting to let you go anytime soon. Toph felt you grab her hand and kiss the ring on her finger. She has only wore it for a week so far and it was already her most prized possession.

*Flashback Start*

"Sokka I don't know if I can do this!" "Come on y/n, you've been in love with Toph since you were kids. Hell before you both even joined our group! If she doesn't say yes than the spirit world isn't real. And I know for a fact that it is... And it has no bathrooms!" You shake your head with a smile at Sokka trying to cheer you up. "But we're still in the middle of a war! One that is ending in a week, whether we win or not." "Well would you rather risk losing and not proposing or just pray we win and then get the chance to propose." You sigh, knowing Sokka was right. "Okay I got this. I am going to walk right up to her, get on one knee... do I need to get on one knee? It's not like she can see see me." "I would do it just in case so she doesn't beat you up." You nod at Sokka, "Okay, I am going to march back into the party, walk up to her, pull her away from the party, confess my love to her, propose, and have a fiancé!" Sokka cheers at your new fond confidence. You and Sokka do your secret handshake before walking back into the party. "I got this."

You didn't have it. You had managed to get Toph away from the party and were a stuttering mess. When you finally calmed down and were ready to speak, the party got busted and you all had to run. You tried for a whole month and every time you were about to propose, you got interrupted. It was finally your last chance before everyone got super focused and ready for the upcoming battle. You and Toph were in your tent on the bed next to each other. Yo sit up suddenly and pull Toph into a sitting position next to you. "What are you doing?" "Something I have been trying to do for the past month." You say as you reach over to grab the ring out of your bag. You grab it and face Toph again. "Okay, Toph I--" You get cut off by Aang bursting into the room with Katara right behind him. "Toph I need to---" "I'm sorry I tried to stop---" Both of them talking over each other added to your growing frustration from all your other failed attempts to propose and you finally broke. "That is it!" Katara and Aang looked at you shocked at your outburst. Sokka also came over to the tent to see what was going on.

"I have been trying for the past month to do this! And every single time I get interrupted! But not this time!" You say and grab both of Toph's hand and pull her to stand up. "Toph I love you and I have since we were kids. I had this whole big speech planned out but after getting interrupted at least 10 times trying to do this, I am going to keep it short and sweet. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know we're kind of young but you've been in my life for so long that I know we're ready for the next step. You are independent, brave, strong headed and the love of my life. Will you marry me?" Everyone was shook and Toph actually let a few tears slip. She punched you on the shoulder before pulling you into a hug, "Of course I'll marry you." You wore the biggest grin on your face for the rest of the day.

*Flashback End*

"I should have stayed with you. I should have helped you and Aang fight the fire lord." You shook your head slightly, making you dizzy. "No, your the only person in the world who can metal bend, Sokka and Suki needed your help taking out the balloons (Blimps? What are they called?)." You shivered a little and closed your eyes some. "Hey, no no no, you gotta keep your eyes open for me." "I'm just so tired..." Toph held you tighter and looked over to hang who was driving the bison. "Can Appa go any faster!?" She yelled over the wind. Aang turned around and noticed how pale you had got, he also noticed how your blood had started to drip on to the saddle. "Come on Appa, yip yip!" Aang said, forcing Appa to fly faster than ever before. Sokka, who was holding his broken arm, and Suki were sitting across from you and Toph, worry clear on their face. Suki moved over some and got your attention, "How about to help you stay awake, we talk about what you want in your wedding." Toph gave her a look of gratefulness before looking back down at you.

"Yeah no better time than the present." You smiled at the thought of marrying Toph. "We could have it under that tree you always like to go to." Toph said getting the conversation started. "But I am definitely not walking down the aisle though." You laughed. The conversation was good and light for a while but once you were almost there, everything got worse. "Yeah and then---" Toph's talking got cut off suddenly by you coughing. You turned your head to the side and coughed up blood. Toph also noticed that you had bled through the bandages wrapped around your wound. "Aang! Are we almost there!?" Toph was in complete panic now, you felt colder and you had started shaking. "We are here!" Aang jumped off of Appa and used his air bending to bring you over to Katara and Zuko. Katara saw Aang running up to them and smiled before seeing the fear on his face and your limp body floating in the air.

Katara shot up immediately and had Zuko direct Aang and Toph to a tub, while she had Suki help her get water to fill the tub. When Katara got to the bathroom, she had everyone except Toph clear out. Toph held your hand and "watched" as Katara started to heal her. After an hour so Toph was getting worried. "Is she better yet?" Katara lets out a sigh. "I've done what I can but..." "But what?" "I don't know if she'll be able to walk again." Toph squeezed your hand after hearing that.

*Time skip*

"Toph... Toph. Toph!" "Huh? What? I'm awake!" Toph practically jumped out of her seat at hearing you yell her name. You smiled at her reaction and grab her hand. "The water is cold and my fingers look like raisins and..." Toph got confused when you stopped talking. "Y/n?" "I... I... Can't..." Now Toph was worried, "You can't what?" "I can't feel my legs! Why can't I feel my legs!" You yelled, starting to freak out. Toph could feel your heart beat pick up and reached out for you to grab her other hand. 'Y/n stop! Take a deep breath. Okay? Everything will be okay, we'll work through this." You started calming down after hearing Toph's words. Everything would be alright... right?

*Time Skip*

"Ladies and Gentleman I present to you, Toph and Y/n Beifong!" All your friends cheered as you walked down the aisle holding Toph's hand. You were still paralyzed from the waist down, but Sokka had gotten together with Teo and made a contraption that allowed you to walk with little to no assistance and gave it to you as a early wedding gift. You and, shockingly, Toph both cried when they gave it to you a week before the wedding. Now you could actually stand when you and Toph did your first dance as a married couple. Toph rested her head your chest and giggled hearing your heart beat pick up. After dating for 10 years (y'all started dating at 15, got engaged at 22 and married at 25) she still managed to make you blush and act like a kid with a silly school crush. "I am so thankful that Sokka and Teo made these things for me." "I mean, I still would have married you either way." You nodded with a smile, "I know... We are probably the weirdest looking couple out here." Toph furrowed her eyebrows before "looking" up at you, "What do you mean?" "I mean a blind super powerful earth bender and a paralyzed and now bald air bender." Toph laughed at your words before rubbing the top of your head. "Yeah it's weird to feel your head now." "It's okay, I'm going to grow my hair back. I know how much you love it, especially when---" Toph punches you in the shoulder. "Really y/n? I thought I was the one in this relationship who made those types of remarks." You giggled before responding, "Well I can't just let you have all the fun now, can I?" Toph rolls her eyes and lays her head back on your chest. It's silent between you for a few beats before Toph speaks. "I can't wait to spend forever with you." You smile largely at her statement. "I can't wait to spend forever with you too."

#toph x reader #atla #avatar the last airbender #female x reader #female character #x reader

127 notes · View notes

alexhogh7137 · 3 years

Text

The Battle Between Love and Fire-

Ivar the Boneless × Reader

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven: "..what on earth are you doing here...?"

Word Count 2.8k

Warnings: none

A week has passed since Asta was born. Your week was hectic, painful and long but your daughter made it all a bit easier. Your people celebrated her birth with a huge feast that you attended to, of course. You remember thinking to yourself, 'now I can have some ale.' Ivar made it known that Asta was his child and everyone basked in his magnificence because he is indeed a cripple. Hvitserk bit his tongue and played along as you did the same. Ivar has his ways and it is easier to obey him than to argue and cause heartache. All you want is for Asta to be happy, that is of utmost importance. Today, you have to write to Daario Naharis. Time has slipped your mind and it has come to your attention that you have yet to write to him.

Ivar "Would you like me to take her while you write?" You look up at him, "I don't mind." He offers a smile, "I do not think that you will be able to write a proper letter with her wiggling in your arms-" you two start to giggle.

"Thank you. I won't be long." You hand her to him and he puts her on his hip.

Ivar "Take your time, my sweet. I want to spend some quality time with her." You nod, "I love you."

"And I love you." He bends down and kisses your lips before crunching his way out of the chamber doors. You sigh and stretch your arms in the air, trying to ease the soreness from holding her for so long. But you long her so much, that when she is not in your arms, you feel as if something is missing. Nonetheless, you appreciate the help from your beloved while Hvitserk is out hunting with Ubbe.

You pick up your writing instrument and began to write:

To the Commander of Wessex,

I have to apologize for not writing to you sooner, but I have some wonderful news. I am now a mother to a healthy daughter. I shall return to Wessex when she is old enough to travel with me so that my people can meet her, as well as you Naharis. I wish to hear of all the things concerning my people and their wellbeing. I hope all is well, including yourself. I am doing alright, given my circumstances during my daughter's birth but I am indeed alright. Looking forward to your letter,

Y/n Lothbrok

You stamp the letter and rise from your seat, to give this to your news carrier.

"Thank you."

He bows, "My queen." You watch him get on his horse and ride off into the distance. You look up at your dragon's, feasting on their animals and of course, fighting over the biggest carcass. You chuckled to yourself but you get startled from your name being called.

"My queen!" You turn to face the woman.

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"No, thank the gods." You nod, "I just wanted to personally ask you if you are alright?"

"Oh yes, I am quite well."

"Are you certain, my queen?" She asked, "because you look quite exhausted.."

"Mm, the beginning stages of motherhood is not easy, madame-"

"Of course-"

"I am tired, but I am very happy."

"That is good to hear. I know of the things you went through..I only wish the best for you my queen."

"I appreciate your kind words, ma'am. Thank you."

"My pleasure. Would you like to come in?" You look where she points as she points toward her home in the village.

"Oh thank you, but I must find Ivar. He is caring for Asta while I take care of some matters."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for talking with me Y/n."

You place your hand on her shoulder, "Any time. If you need me, you know where to find me." She nods and you two part ways.

…

When you reach the throne room, you see Ivar chatting up a storm: boasting about Asta. At first, you get annoyed but then you overhear Ivar telling his people how proud he is to call her his own. Then your heart turned into mush. You make your way up to him and he notices you right away.

Ivar "My love, there you are." You sit down beside him on your throne.

"My queen, she is simply beautiful."

"Thank you. She is very-"

Ivar "Perfect. She isn't just beautiful, she is perfect. A real blessing from the gods." You smile and reach over and caress her rosy cheeks while she is still in his arms.

"I would have to agree. I am surprised that she is here." Ivar looks up at the man from looking down at Asta and makes direct eye contact.

Ivar "What did you just say?" The man gulps.

"I said that I was surprised that Asta is here..it is a real miracle."

Ivar "Are you referring to Y/n?"

"She...she went through a lot, my king. Many of us doubted that she wou-"

"I suggest you bite your tongue.." the man looks at you and takes a step back.

Ivar "Sweetheart, can you hold Asta for a moment?" You do not answer, only quickly grabbing her from his arms before he loses control. Ivar gets off of his throne and walks towards the man who was suggesting that you were weak.

Ivar "What is it? Huh..what were you all doubting?" The man did not respond out of fear. Ivar took out his dagger and grabbed the man by his throat, "What were you all doubting?"

"We did not think that she would be strong enough to deliver! Many women parish during child birth..we were expecting it." You knew that was a fact. But to hear your people think that you were too weak to survive, saddened you.

Ivar points the blade towards the man's eye, "How dare you, huh?! How dare you question my wife?"

"We were wrong, she was strong-"

Ivar "That should never be questioned, she is your queen!" The man nods, "Look at her," the man looks at you, "that woman right there, is stronger than any woman that you could ever meet. Do not ever question her strength."

"Ivar, just let him go-"

Ubbe "What is going on in here, aye?!" Hvitserk and Ubbe come into the building from a successful hunt.

"Just having a discussion, Ubbe."

"I shouldn't have said anything-"

Hvitserk "You said what?"

"I told the Ivar.. that Asta is a miracle child."

Hvitserk "She is-"

Ivar "He said that he amongst others have doubted Y/n's ability to have her." Hvitserk's jaw clenches immediately.

Hvitserk "Is that so?" The man does not respond. "Well she proved you all wrong, did she not?"

"Yes, yes of course! My queen, you have my full respect."

"If you'll excuse me." You walk out of the room and into your daughter's nursery. You place her down into her bassinet. She coos and reaches for you, so you lean down and kiss her entire face.

"My sweet Asta, sleep now." You watch her close her beautiful eyes and fall into a light slumber. You sigh when it is silent in the room. Reflecting on your life, who you are and what you have become as a person, as a woman. In everyone else's eyes, you have achieved it all: you've won battles, you overthrown your father and took back your kingdom, you are married and now have a daughter. To you, you feel lucky and blessed but at the same time, you feel lost. If Ivar's people loved and respected you like they should, then you would feel wanted here in Kattegat. But today, that feeling is nonexistent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wessex England a day later..

Daario has been working nonstop: making absolute sure that the people of Wessex are safe, fed and doing their duties. Helga has been working as well, and keeping Daario company.

Daario "Helga.."

Helga "Yes?"

Daario "Have you heard any news from Y/n?"

Helga sighs, "I'm afraid not." He hangs his head, "I am sure that she is fine, Naharis."

Daario "She didn't look good Helga. You saw her when she left."

Helga "She was in labor, Daario. It is very painful-"

Daario "I know that. But she fell-"

Helga "What? Why was I not informed of this-"

Daario "It slipped my mind. All I cared about was her, not informing her people." She nods, "But yes, she fell. Not too long before she went into active labor-"

Helga "Well that makes sense now. If something happens to the mother when she is that far along during her pregnancy, that can cause the child to come quicker. Much quicker."

Daario "I just hope that she is alright. She has gone through too much Helga, she can't be gone now. She can't be." Helga takes a rapid and deep breath, "She fought too long and too hard to lose her battle now. Especially right when her life got brighter with this miracle child."

Helga "I don't think that she is gone. If she was, I would be able to tell."

Daario looks up at her glaring at the floor, "What? How?"

Helga "She is like a daughter to me Daario. If she was gone, I would just know." He sighs and looks back down to the floor.

Daario "Helga, could you leave me for a moment? I would like to pray in peace please." He says standing up.

Helga "Of course sir." She walks out of the door, closing it behind her. He wipes a stray tear that has fallen on to his cheek from the sense of fear of losing you. So he gets down on his knees, in front of a cross that he has hung up on his wall in his chambers and prays.

Daario "Please Lord, be with Y/n. I have not heard from her in days, and I cannot stop worrying, my Lord. Be with her and keep her strong. If her child is in this world, keep her safe and strong as well, my Lord. Be with them all, keep them safe and...alive. In Jesus's name I pray, amen." As he stood up, he got a knock on his door.

Daario sighs, "Yes?"

"A letter, sir." He rushes over to the man and grabs the letter from his hands. He breathes out loudly when he sees your name on the envelope.

Daario "Thank you, you may go." Once the man leaves, he looks up and whispers, "well that was fast."

After he read your letter, he wanted to travel to Kattegat to see you and the baby. He did not know how he would be able to do so, but he did not quite care about anything else but you and the child. So he left Helga in charge and set off to Kattegat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is now nightfall in Kattegat and things are happy as can be. Hvitserk has been spending quality time with Asta all day and Ivar has been spending quality time with you. Ubbe and Torvi have been spoiling Asta and she's only a few days old. It has been joyus to say the least.

Ivar "How is she doing huh?" He asks his brother once he sits down next to him.

Hvitserk "Y/n or Asta?"

Ivar "Asta, of course."

Hvitserk "She's perfect."

Ivar "Yes, she is." He looks at you holding her while talking to Torvi. "They both are true perfection."

Hvitserk "Yes they are. And yet we are the lucky one aye?" He says, nudging Ivar.

Ivar chuckles but it soon fades when he hears the gates to his kingdom opening.

Ivar "Did you just hear-"

Hvitserk "The gates? Yes, I did."

Ivar "We are not expecting anyone.." You see the double doors opening and your grip on your daughter tightens. You did not expect to see the man come through the door that did.

Daario "King Ivar-"

"Naharis?!" His eyes met yours and his expression turned to pure joy. He sees the beautiful daughter in your arm's.

Daario "Y/n!"

"What on earth are you doing here?! My kingdom-"

Daario "Is in good hands."

"Who's hands?!"

Daario "Helga's."

"An old woman." You look at Ivar in complete disbelief. Ivar's eyebrows scrunch down to his eyes and his mouth is closed tightly. "So you are telling me, that you left my kingdom, which is filled with women..in an old woman's care?"

Daario "I had to see you."

"I told you when I left, that I would come to you. I left you in charge of my people for a reason. I did not want you to leave Wessex!"

Daario "I'm sorry, I-"

"Torvi, give her to Hvitserk please." She takes Asta from your arms and walks Asta to Hvitserk and you slap Daario in the mouth. Ivar immediately tenses every muscle in his body.

"How dare you defy me!"

Daario "I did no such thing."

"You left my kingdom, when I told you not to! You are in charge because you are capable, Helga is in no way capable of keeping my people safe."

Daario "I just had to see you. I was worried about you."

"I appreciate your concern Naharis, but I sent you a letter."

Daario "I wanted to meet her.." you realize that fighting with him is no use. You can't do anything about his actions now. All you can do is pray to the gods that nothing bad happens.

"Fine, come with me." You walk towards Ivar and Hvitserk, who are sitting next to each other. "Her name is Asta."

Daario "Wow..she is beautiful."

"Thank you."

Daario "May I hold her?"

Ivar "I don't think so."

Daario "Why not?"

Ivar "Because I said no, so the answer is no. You came here..into my kingdom, unannounced, at night, and thinking that you can hold my daughter?" Daario takes a step back, "I don't think that you are in the position to do so."

Daario "I shouldn't have come here."

Ivar "No, you shouldn't have. But nonetheless, you are here..hmm?" He nods, "And you came all this way to..what exactly?"

Daario "Check on Y/n, make sure that she was safe, and okay after having Asta."

Ivar "You came here to make sure that she was safe..in her own home? Did I hear that correctly, Hvitserk?"

Hvitserk "You did, my brother."

Ivar "mm."

Daario "She is my queen and I was worried about her. She did not look very well when she left, and she wrote in her letter that there were complications during Asta's..arrival and I came here to make sure that she was indeed alright."

"I understand your worry, but I wrote to you that I was okay. You did not have to come."

Daario "No one has to do anything Y/n. It's what feels right in their hearts is what they end up doin-"

Ubbe "You have got to be joking, aye?" He said coming inside from checking on the village. "What are you doing here?!"

Daario "I came to check on her."

Ubbe "Y/n or Asta?"

Daario "Both, I suppose."

Ubbe "Y/n wrote to you, no?" He said, taking a bite of food.

Daario "Yes but I wanted to meet her daughter."

Ivar "Why did you want to meet her so badly, huh?" He said, getting up from his seat and walking towards him. "It couldn't wait until she got back to Wessex?"

Daario "I acted too quickly. I should go."

"You can stay the night here, but must leave by morning. Wessex is unsafe while you are here. I cannot allow you to stay longer than the night."

Daario "I accept that. And I appreciate that. I am sorry for coming."

"I am not mad at you, I am upset about the fact that at any given moment, I can lose my kingdom and my people. I fought too long and too hard to lose it now."

Ivar "You won't, my sweet."

"Well, if I do, you will lose your life..are we clear?"

Daario "Yes, my queen."

"Good, my maiden will find you a room." He thanks you and walks off. You sit down on Ivar's lap and sighed, "Well, we were having a peaceful day."

Ivar "We still are-"

"No we are not."

Ivar "Think of it this way, if anything were to happen, we can use his body as a sacrifice to the gods huh?!" He says in a high pitched voice to add drama, making you laugh.

"But I would lose it all, and my people."

Ivar "I think that you are forgetting that these are your people, my love. Everything I have is yours."

"I love you."

Ivar "I love you most."

@hvitserkmarcosource @youbloodymadgenius @ivarsgoddess @heavenly1927 @saldelys @krissydclayton93 @conaionaru

#the battle between love and fire #alex hogh andersen #vikings #hvitserk #ivar the boneless #marco ilsø #ubbe lothbrok #hvitserk lothbrok #ivar lothbrok #torvi vikings

31 notes · View notes

mitsuaziel · 4 years

Text

Rain (Barbatos x Reader)

Female! Reader

Slight angst but with a happy ending

In the human realm there you stood, under the heavy rain that wets your figure, soaking your entire being with its polluted water but you couldn't care less about how you'll get sick afterwards. No. You stare into nothingness, the heavy rain greatly limiting your field of vision to maybe one to two meters and even so, objects are extremely blurry.

The reason why you're under the rain is because you're heartbroken. It's stupid, yes, you know but he was your fiance of three years so it's heart shattering and as if your life line is plugged out when you caught him in action with another woman, balls deep into her as her moans fill the room, clearly having a good time. The reason for his cheating is because you didn't want to have sexual intercourse with him but being the religious person you are, you stated that you didn't want to have sex until after marriage but it seems that he couldn't wrap his mind around the idea.

'He only wants you for your body', your best friend said, attempting to comfort you but it didn't do much as your mind wanders to that specific moment in your life.

'He's the one missing out! It just means that he wasn't your soulmate. God has other plans for you', then why did He has to make it so painful to you?

'Fuck that guy! I hope he gets condemned to Hell', you wish too but you try to get yourself out of that mind set since it's quite the sin to wish someone that.

All these allegations are true, yet here you are, under the rain thinking negatively about yourself. Weren't you pretty enough? Wasn't your company enough for him? Satisfying enough for him? You let out a shaky breath and close your eyes, the rain getting heavier if that's possible. You really want to disappear off the surface of the Earth but you didn't. Again, it's a great sin if you did it.

So, you resorted to just being sad and crying out your sadness all alone. It was... Comforting, to say the very least and with the rain, it's easy to cover up your tears and voice.

"ARGH!" You screamed out loud. You could barely make out your own voice. Perfect.

So you screamed again and again and again until you ran out of energy. If you can't hurt or kill yourself, you might as well tire yourself and just go to sleep. But even so, you figured that you might have nightmares regarding what happened to you just yesterday so you might as well completely drain your energy until you can't move.

With one last scream of frustration and anger, you drop to your knees and let tears flow down your face. God, you just wanted to kill yourself but you can't. Sometimes you wish you weren't that religious but it's these times that you're also glad.

How long have you been under the rain? Half an hour? An hour? More than that? You don't know nor do you care at this point. You certainly couldn't care less about your health as well. You just want to hide under the rain so when you thought the rain stopped, you were confused. It's still raining yet why aren't you under it? Then, you look up.

An umbrella.

"Wha?" You breathe out under your breath as you look at the person holding the umbrella.

Due to the darkness, you can't really see his features but you can tell that he's wearing a suit and has gloves on. His expression though empty as ever, his eyebrows are furrowed as if to mimic confusion. He holds out a hand for you to grab and for a moment, flashbacks of your ex-boyfriend doing the same fills your vision and you shake your head.

The man assumes that you didn't want help and retracts his hand. You stand up but wobbled a bit due to you kneeling for so long, causing you to accidentally grab the man's arm. He was as still as a statue, seemingly unbothered by the fact that you just threw yourself towards him. You mutter an apology even though he won't hear it and didn't bother to squeeze water out your hair or clothes.

"Are you okay, miss?" He asks.

You nod and look away, slightly embarrassed of your appearance at the moment. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be going now."

"Wait."

You turn to him. "Do you need something, sir?"

Lightning strikes, lighting up the darkness and you only manage to see his features clearly for a few seconds. Beautiful emerald eyes, green hair gradienting to a teal down his bangs on the left side of his face and no expression at all yet it seems to compliment his handsome features. For a moment, you forgot to breathe. How can a man this beautiful exist?

"You just seem sad and I know that I'm just a stranger, a nobody to you but I do have some time to spare before I go back to serve my master." He states.

You were suspicious. The world is a dangerous place and if a handsome man like Ted Bundy can turn out to be a manipulative murderer, then surely, the man in front of you can do the same.

When no answer is heard from you, he sighs and puts a hand over his heart before bowing down to you, much to your surprise. "I am Barbatos, the butler to my master, Lord Diavolo."

"I... I see." You weren't expecting a butler to be by your side.

"You now know my name, my occupation and my master. Surely, this is enough information for you." The butler, you now know as Barbatos, said.

"Oh, uh, yeah." You awkwardly fidget around. He's just too formal with you that makes it uncomfortable for you.

"So, may I know what is the cause of your sadness? Why are you just kneeling under the heavy rain? Are you not scared of what might happen to you if you were to stay too long out here?" He shoots you question after question.

You wanted to tell him but you're scared of the thought of him ridiculing you. Your fiance's friends did, is he any different?

Barbatos sighs once again and mumbles something before saying, "I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. I do apologize if I do happen to make you feel that way. All I want to do is lend an ear. It is not too wrong of me to do so, is it now?"

You look at the more interesting ground. "Why do you even want to listen to my problems anyway? A butler like you shouldn't help me. You must have other jobs to do and even if I tell you, it's not like you're gonna use that information."

"Maybe, maybe not. But I just want to help."

Damn, he's persistent, you thought. It's not like you're ungrateful, it's more like preventing other people from meddling into your own problems that you can handle by yourself. You didn't need or want someone else's help. You can figure everything out yourself.

And yet...

"Kill me."

The butler was surprised. "Excuse me, but could you repeat what you just said?"

"Ah..." You shake your head. What were you thinking? "I'm sorry. I'll leave."

Just as you turn away, a hand grabs your arm. "Wait."

You wait for him to talk.

"I know I have no place to say this, and it's ironic that I'm the one who's saying this, but don't do it. Life may be hard for you but surely, there must be people who love you. I don't know what happened and really, I have no say in this, if you're thinking about suicide, shouldn't you do something you love? Be with the people you love instead of suffering all alone and eventually hurting other people?"

You look back at him with tears welling up in your eyes. "This is a stupid reason and all, but I just... Can't. The person I love betrayed me. He... He promised."

Barbatos lets go of your hand. "Then, that just means he's a liar, a toxic person in your life. Is it not a relief that you found out instead of being blinded by his lies?"

You wanted to talk back but you bite back your tongue. It is true. Better now then never. You think for a while before forcing a smile on your face. "I suppose so. Thanks for... Talking, I guess. I really appreciate it."

A small smile curl his lips, enhancing his already handsome face. "You're welcome."

*****

Barbatos finally went back to Lord Diavolo's castle after buying all the necessary items from the human realm.

"Barbatos! There you are! Where have you been? It took longer than usual. Did it run out of stock or something?" Lord Diavolo asks as he goes through his endless pile of paperwork.

The butler bows down to his master as a form of apology. "I am sorry, My Lord. No, it's not because of that."

"Then, what took you so long?"

Memories of the rainy scene plays in his head but he answered differently despite knowing that Lord Diavolo can tell between a truth and a lie. "There was a fuss over a mistake I did, My Lord. Wouldn't this new generation call that a 'Karen'?"

Though he knows, Lord Diavolo was more interested in the name the humans gave for someone with such an attitude. "A Karen, huh? Call Levi here! I need to know what that means!"

The day continues on like normal but Barbatos kept on wondering why the devils did he help such a helpless human who's willing to kill themself just because of a broken heart? He doesn't understand his own actions and frankly, he doesn't wish to know why either. He's a demon, a duke, an earl, he shouldn't care so why did he help that one human?

Ahh, of course.

"Welcome to Devildom!"

"Barbatos?"

He bows down to the new exchange student and smiles at you. "Welcome, MC."

"You were a fucking demon?!" You were surprised rather than scared.

"Were?" Lucifer asks but is ignored when both you and Barbatos wouldn't answer him.

How have the Fates destined the both of you to meet again.

#obey me #obey me barbatos #barbatos #barbatosxreader #obey me fanfic #rain #obey me diavolo #diavolo #obey me barbatos x reader #x reader #female! reader #slight angst #angst with a happy ending

56 notes · View notes

firstumcschenectady · 3 years

Text

“Every. Single. Time.” based on Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

As far as I can tell, the stories of the wandering in the desert are stories of the people learning dependence on God. Many of the stories of Exodus repeat the narrative “(1) Something was wrong, the people were worried. (2) The people complained. (3) God provided.” Since deserts aren't super hospitable to life, they make sense as places people can learn their dependence. The writer of Deuteronomy ends up worrying that once the people enter the “land of milk and honey” they'll forget that they are dependent on God. In the early centuries of Christianity the “Desert Fathers and Mothers” returned to the desert to seek connection with the Divine, and learn again the lessons of dependence.

Historically, there are some reasons to question the overarching narrative of the 40 year wandering in the desert. It may be MORE true that some of the proto-Israelites were desert nomads for a prolonged time in their history, and some of the proto-Israelites were slaves who had escaped from Egypt, and some of the proto-Israelites were Canaanites who decide to follow YHWH when the nomads and former slaves told their stories about YHWH. I rather like this idea, because it is pretty easy to see how nomadic hunter-gatherers in a harsh desert climate would definitely experience the gift of life as a gift from God. And, that their descendants who lived a more settled and fertile existence could relatively quickly change their minds about how lucky they are to be simply alive.

I rather like how these stories begin. The people are frightened for their lives. There is a lack of FOOD or WATER, and those are seriously dangerous lacks. The stories present frightened people as appropriately and realistically negative. They grumble. They mumble. They complain. They romanticize their former lives. In this case, they say, “If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." And, I'll admit, I feel for Moses and Aaron. That ISN'T FAIR. It isn't even TRUE. But, I also feel for the people, because when humans are frightened for their lives, they really can't be held accountable for being “unfair” much less have reasonable perspective.

In these Exodus stories, every single time, God intervenes and provides. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Sometimes Moses and Aaron get annoyed, sometimes God gets annoyed, sometimes as a reader it gets annoying that they don't learn how to trust faster, but God provides EVERY SINGLE TIME.

And I have some feelings about that, because in our world today there is both an abundance of food and an abundance of hunger. Based on both the stories of our faith and the miraculous food producing capacity of the earth, I'm pretty sure that the story is STILL that God provides. But... human beings get in the way. We hoard (the US government is one of the worst), we promote “competition” for who gets to eat, we blame the hungry for being hungry, and we permit wealth to rise to the top no matter the cost to the bottom.

God provides.

Humans intercept.

The challenge is not scarcity – there is enough. There is MORE than enough. The problem is distribution . That is, the problem is acting out the belief that all people are worthy of surviving and thriving, as beloveds of God.

Around here, we try to do our part to change that story. We promote the humanity and belovedness of all people. We have a free breakfast, and we give people extra food to help them make it through the week. We advocate for policies to alleviate hunger everywhere in the world. We donate to SICM and help with summer lunches. We educate ourselves about food distribution, and work with “Bread for the World.” Our tithes and offerings promote justice and compassion programs around the world, and our extra gifts to UMCOR just add on to it.

But, it is a big problem and there is lot of work to be done to BOTH feed all of God's people AND change policies so we don't allow anyone to be hungry.

Some of the reason I said all that is because it is true. Another reason is because I'm about to take this story metaphorically, and I could not do so in good faith until I also took the literal meaning of hungry people seriously as well. Especially now when A LOT more people are hungry world wide then were before the pandemic.

When I first considered this passage, my attention was drawn to that complaining and yearning for Egypt. It seemed worth talking about our yearning for what used to be, and how the yearning can erase the realities of the past – things like slavery for example. Much of what I hear, and a good portion of what I experience these days is a yearning for pre-pandemic times. Recently, after I'd shared a bit about how odd it was to give birth during a pandemic and how unexpected parenting a baby during a pandemic has been, a perspective person said, “Well, and you got pregnant before the pandemic, you didn't sign up for any of this.”

I sighed with relief, like you do when someone really understands. Also, I think that applies to all of us a little bit. The things we were thinking about, planning, and even worrying about 2 years ago all changed on us in early 2020. And we didn't sign up for this! The stressors and conflicts we live now we wouldn't have been able to dream 2 years ago. And we didn't sign up for this.

2 years ago wasn't great. It really wasn't. There were serious injustices happening, and the things we were worried about were real. Comparatively though, I see why we want to go back. I can even see why the people grumbling in the desert would have wanted to go back. With death looming, anything else looks better. But Egypt wasn't their future, it was their past. And we aren't going back to pre-pandemic times either.

The wandering in the desert, as the story says, was important for forming the people, forming their faith, teaching them their dependence on God. It got them ready for the Promised Land, but it was so hard and so terrifying, there were a lot of times they thought going back was worth it. Without knowing what the Promised Land would be like, or when they would get there, the only things they knew were the terrifying lack of resources of the desert and the utter oppression of slavery.

For most of us, our pre-pandemic times weren't THAT bad, but I hear people saying now, “Having had a break from it all, I don't want to live like that anymore.” We're different. We've been formed by this time in the desert. We're still being formed by this time in the desert. I'm not sure when the Promised Land is coming.

As much as the desire to go back to Egypt caught my initial attention, I couldn't help but notice that it is only the beginning of this story. This isn't the story of landing in the Promised Land. This is a story of having God provide. This is a story of there being BREAD on the ground in the desert that would sustain the people AND quails flying overhead for protein, and both of them being gifts of life from the God of life. (In the desert, where other people didn't interfere with God's gifts.)

This is the story where God says, “'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" And then when it happened, and the bread showed up, the people said, “What is it??????”

And this is where I think God is leading me today.

We're in the desert, dear ones. Whatever our roles and circumstances were in Egypt, it is far behind. Whatever our roles and circumstances will be in the Promised Land, we aren't there yet. We are DEEP in the desert, learning our dependence on God. And that means that God is giving us gifts that we desperately need to survive.

And most likely we're responding along the lines of “Huh?” or “What is THAT?” Or “I'm not sure I want that.” Maybe more than anything we're thinking, “I'd rather have bread from Pereccas, or Gershons, or Friehofers.” These gift that God is giving, we might not even recognize them. We might not want them. We might be a little horrified.

Today's story ends with Moses telling the confused and hungry people, “It is the bread that YHWH has given to you to eat.”

What is the bread that God is giving to you to eat right now? How are you feeling about it?

Holy One, help us see what you are giving us, and help us receive nourishment from what you offer. We are tired, weary, weak, and frightened people. Your nourishment is what we need to go on, and we know that this desert wandering is not your final plan for us. Amen

August 1, 2021

Rev. Sara E. Baron

First United Methodist Church of Schenectady

603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305

Pronouns: she/her/hers

http://fumcschenectady.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady

#Desert #Manna #What is it #Every Single Time #God Provides #Thinking Church #Progressive Christainity #Rev Sara E Baron #FUMC Schenectady #UMC #Sorry about the homophobic UMC world #We're working on it #Pandemic desert #God STILL provides #Hunger

2 notes · View notes