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dark-night-star-light · 9 months

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Spirit Animals: Tales of the Fallen Beasts (Reread pt. 13)

DISCLAIMER: WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THIS BOOK, THE ENTIRE FIRST SERIES AND BOOKS ONE THROUGH FOUR IN SECOND SERIES.

Masterpost

Halawir

“He was a Great Beast, and the king of these skies” (4). I think Halawir and Essix should’ve had a rivalry similar to Uraza and Cabaro’s.

“‘Cordalles, you did it! You’ve summoned a spirit animal!’” (5). It’s hilarious that people are so prideful of their kids summoning spirit animals, as if it’s something anyone has any control over.

“‘The betrayer’” (5). Yeah, I assume we’re gonna get the backstory on that in this chapter?

“It was absurd to be kept trapped by a bunch of seafaring nobodies who probably couldn’t even spot a fish flashing beneath the waves from three hundred meters away” (6). Yeah, those losers with their terrible eyesight. I’m liking Halawir already.

“He knew what it was to make people tremble” (6). Um. Okay. No mention of the Wyrm or any motive other than power. That’s fun.

“But he didn’t like this weak spot in himself. She was holding him prisoner. That could not be forgiven” (7). Can a spirit animal even “lose” their human partner? Well, there’s Lord MacDonnell’s hare . . . but it was always in close proximity to him . . .

“It yanked back on his leg, hard, and he boomeranged down in a tumble of feathers and fury onto the deck” (8). I imagine him doing a few unwilling air somersaults.

“ . . . brushing off the memory of Meilin, Abeke, Rollan and Conor” (9). Why does he know their names??? I’d expect something more like “brushing off the memory of Jhi, Uraza, Essix, and Briggan’s sniveling pets” or something.

“Then he loosened his bowels and pooped on her head” (10). HOLY SHI- (DID I MAKE A PUN. NO.)

“‘I didn’t know Great Beasts had such great senses of humor,’ Cordalles said, not laughing” (10). This one does.

“‘Well, it’s unheard of to summon a Great Beast, except for the four heroes who stopped the Conquerors . . . ’” (12). I wonder what the average person knows of their trials.

“‘ . . . but he was once so huge that the Devourer rode through the skies on his back . . . ’” (13). So the average person knows about Shane’s escape???

“He would finally have a chance for revenge” (14). He’s a normal-sized eagle. What’s he gonna do, exactly?

“So she’d been lying, too” (15). This mom acts in an understandable manner, but I don’t like her . . . even though what she’s saying makes sense.

“After so many days in isolation, he had to admit that he was the slightest bit pleased to see her” (17). Halawir’s reluctance to like Cordalles is so interesting.

“He couldn’t believe she was even debating the question. Of course he would fly away the second he was let free” (20). Can he do that??? I want to know.

“ . . . Halawir never joked” (21). Maybe not intentionally.

“ . . . rules were the way the clever gained power - by breaking them” (22). He’s not wrong.

“‘Imagine the look on their faces when I show up with a new green cloak, and you on my arm, as calm as can be’” (25). Cordalles’s need to impress could’ve been explored further in the main series, but it wasn’t.

“He felt almost as though someone was watching them” (25). Can the Great Beasts sense the Wyrm the same way it can sense them?

“But when her lips curled into a smile, she looked a little like a hungry cat” (27). Oh, Raisha, I think. I remember her.

“The girl seemed to remember the reason for their conversation” (28). That is such a red flag.

“‘I don’t understand why Mother and Father are always so scared for me’” (29). I mean, there’s always bad people, but yeah. Why are they so scared? Is it because of the Second Devourer War?

“Halawir felt for the girl . . . ” (30). Aw.

“He gave Cordalles a touch of his keen eyesight and quick reflexes, making it simple for her to dodge the crowds and easily follow in Raisha’s footsteps” (30). Wait, so the spirit animal chooses to give their powers??? I did not know that. I thought it just happened when the bond was strong.

“Zerif should have felt like a friend . . . ” (30). Bruh. For real??? The man is such a snake.

“What was that thing squirming on Zerif’s brow?” (31). Does Halawir know nothing about the Wyrm??? So he genuinely just wanted power when he helped Kovo. Bruh. What about Gerathon??? Did she know?

“He had a vague memory of Kovo rambling during his years of imprisonment, talking about some sort of evil associated with this symbol . . . ” (32). Wow, he really didn’t know anything at all.

“But he had been the one they wanted, not Cordalles. Surely, he reasoned, they would let her go, now that she no longer had the thing they desired . . . Save himself, and render her useless” (33). Does he actually. Think that. I can’t tell. Also, would he have stayed if Zerif and Raisha hadn’t come?

“She had freed him. Cordalles had let him go” (34). She did indeed.

“Cordalles immediately took off at a sprint, and Halawir gave her every last ounce of agility and fleetness than he could” (34). What an icon. In this moment. Not in general.

“‘Quit your crying,’ he hissed at Raisha . . . ” (35). Why did Raisha work with Zerif, even after Zerif degraded and insulted her?

Aw, Halawir got infected giving Cordalles a chance to escape!

“ . . . Zerif grabbed Cordalles by the neck. He took another dark vial out from his tunic . . . ” (36). Well, this proves what I said in my The Burning Tide reread. Zerif would’ve just infected Kirat if he had handed over Cabaro.

“ . . . a figure in a crimson cloak and an odd white mask had appeared and was trying to get between Zerif and Cordalles” (36). I do not remember a Redcloak in this chapter??? Wow.

“The last thing he saw before the fog overcame him was Raisha giving the masked man a shove, and the look of horror on Cordalles’s face as Zerif closed in” (37). This makes it sound like Cordalles and Shane(?) were losing. But we know they escaped uninfected. So maybe the look of horror was Cordalles realizing her bond had been cut?

Rumfuss

“He’d sold his belt buckle to a shopkeeper in Samis” (41). How did he end up in Samis??? Wasn’t he in Lord MacDonnell’s prison?

“‘You’re just another worthless urchin bothering the decent and hardworking folk of Eura . . . ’” (43). I hate this innkeeper. But Devin deserved to hear that.

“‘This sword is the workmanship of the finest craftsman in Eura - the queen’s own blacksmith’” (43). How did it end up with the Trunswicks, then?

“He had a new trick: Every time he felt his cheeks grow hot, he would clamp his jaw shut and count slowly to ten before saying or doing anything” (44). At least he’s trying. Also does he have anger issues?

“In the aftermath of the rain, however, Devin knew true misery” (45). He had that coming for him.

“‘Are all Greencloaks so impatient?’ The cat meowed in response to Devin’s favorite joke” (46). He uses one joke every single time? That’s so pathetic . . .

“But they had moved on, and the cat had struck out on her own . . . ” (46). I thought Kunaya was with Finn and Donn??? Am I remembering wrong?

“Devin’s mouth watered at the mere mention of bacon, but he tried not to let his excitement show” (47). LOL.

“ . . . her riding clothes were a little too fashionable to be comfortable” (48). Is this symbolism for Raisha’s naivete?

“‘Just like . . . just like Conor’” (49). The fact that that’s the first thing he thinks is just. Splendid.

I love how they’re eating bacon while talking about how Dawson summoned Rumfuss. Not that Devin knows it’s Rumfuss.

“It sounded to Devin’s ears like the same hawk or eagle he had heard throughout the day . . . ” (50). Halawir???

“He smiled smugly as he passed the same carriages that had overtaken him hours before” (51). I imagine him being like, “HA. Losers.”

“He chortled at his own joke” (52). Oh, there’s the Devin we all know and hate.

“He had seen this room every day for years. But today, for the first time, it took his breath away” (54). Devin realizing he’s privileged is hilarious.

The Earl of Trunswick is definitely an abusive parent. I don’t remember what happens to him, but he deserves to die.

“‘I’m not sure you’ll be happy with it, Lord Trunswick,’ Devin said. ‘Since it’s not perfect’” (56). Symbolism . . . I think??? His father should love him unconditionally, but Devin’s not perfect.

“‘Do you realize we had to abduct some ridiculous sheep woman . . . ’” (56). Well. He didn’t have to.

“Uncertainty flickered across Dawson’s face” (56). Oh no . . . here’s the thing. Since Dawson is a noble, he should’ve learned to mask his emotions, right? So this means that Devin really got to him or that Dawson trusts Devin enough to not mask his emotions around him. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.

“‘The great bore.’ He cackled. ‘Get it? Bore?’” (57). This guy still cannot make a single good joke. I’m reminded of that time in Hunted when they came to Trunswick and Devin’s jokes were just. So unfunny.

“His brother had recalled his spirit animal . . . ” (57). Okay. I talked about this in my Immortal Guardians reread, but Rumfuss died after Tellun. That means Dawson summoned Rumfuss after Tellun. So if Dawson had enough time to get Rumfuss to go passive, then Anda should have, as well. So why hadn’t Tellun gone into passive at all?

“With dark humor he realized he couldn’t afford the earl’s taxes” (58). Wow. The irony. Is just. Astounding.

“Then he turned around, and Karmo was standing there, blocking Devin’s exit from the alleyway” (58). This is so dramatic . . . and for what.

“‘My dad bailed me out,’ Devin said. ‘And threw me right back into the war . . . ’” (59). Wait, he continued to fight in the war??? It’s a miracle he didn’t cross paths with the four heroes after that.

“‘I had to listen to MacDonnell coo at his rabbit for months, Devin . . . ’” (60). That’s fucking hilarious. Also, I’m still salty that the harpist never got any justice.

“‘Your dad would like to think so. But the hurt runs too deep . . . ’” (61). This man is fucking stupid.

I love how Devin admits he was a bully. He knows he was wrong, and the narrative doesn’t do anything to justify it.

“‘But I know a thing or two about anger, and I think it’ll work’” (62). Devin full circle arc?

Devin’s plan is actually so smart. I remember thinking it was completely stupid that he hadn’t won at least a single battle off of wits alone during his time with the Conquerors.

“‘I helped them. I helped them take her . . . ’” (67). I don’t remember this . . . also the degree to which Dawson helped kind of matters, too. Like, how exactly does a ten-year-old child help abduct a woman in a way that two grown men find useful?

“‘Thank goodness you’re here. I’m so lost!’” (68). Raisha clearly knows who Devin is. Or else why would she ask him for directions in the Trunswick family manor?

If Devin’s father is broke, then how can he afford the guards? Like I get he’s raised taxes but . . .

“ . . . the lynx hissed softly at his approach. His father signed, retracting his hand” (71). Is the lynx mad at the Earl of Trunswick???

“They were well matched” (72). This concerns me to no end . . . like on one hand you have Devin, who has the senses and dexterity of a wildcat, has seen real battles and was literally in a war, and then on the other hand you have Raisha, who has no spirit animal (yet . . . ), is just a random noble girl, is younger than Devin, and has never seen a war, and these two are “well matched”.

“Devin had never won a fight” (72). Ever???

“‘It’s probably obvious to you by now that you’re not worthy . . . ’” (73). I know in one of my previous rereads I headcanoned that Shane was the reason for Devin’s Redcloak codename, but I would like to say I do like the canon explanation just as much.

“‘ . . . I wanted you to know that I knew that’” (73). Zerif tends to do this thing where he comes back to someone he knew from the first arc and tells them they are worth nothing even after he’s already defeated them (Shane, Abeke, Rollan, etc.), which almost reads like he’s unsure of his victory and wants to rub it in to make it seem real to himself?

“‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered to the boar” (74). I like to think there’s a double meaning to this: not only is he apologizing for mocking Rumfuss as the least great of the Great Beasts, he’s also apologizing for his actions in Hunted.

“Fire was engulfing Trunswick Manor” (75). Wait, I thought Devin started that fire as a distraction??? How did the fire happen???

Okay, so it’s implied that the mob started the fire. I quite like that, actually.

“‘ . . . where we’re going is more important than where we came from’” (76). Devin Trunswick arc in a nutshell.

Suka and Arax

I think this is interesting because this takes place after the spirit animals get taken, which is a new take.

“It wasn’t just strangers who gave sorrow and broken promises” (80). Anuqi’s parents selling Suka is just . . . wow. Like, they really don’t give a shit about her, do they???

Wait, so by the time that Anuqi went to warn the village elders, the stranger had already found and reached Anuqi’s tent??? How???

“ . . . it was exactly like them to not even consider what she thought. Just like last time” (83). Well, to be fair, they are her parents . . . but selling her spirit animal is still such an abusive thing to do???

“The man had made the village an offer: Let him take Suka, in exchange for a hefty bag of coins. Her parents had refused, of course” (83). Then why is Anuqi mad at them . . . ? Her parents refused, didn’t they?

“The last thing Anuqi had seen before blacking out from the pain was her mother accepting the bag of coins that the sneering girl offered her” (84). Is that why she’s mad??? But they fought . . . and if they’d won, they wouldn’t’ve handed over Suka??? And accepting the coins is better than not accepting the coins, right??? It wouldn’t have changed anything if they hadn’t taken the bag . . .

“‘Well, you’re obviously not going to Eura,’ her mother said with a laugh” (85). To be clear, I don’t think Anuqi’s parents are good. But the Suka example was a terrible example. This is a better one.

“ . . . when she let it envelop her, Anuqi could sense that, somewhere, Suka was still out there” (87). I know this is probably just a metaphor, but taken literally, could it mean that even after having the bond ripped apart, the natural spirit animal bond still prevails over the Wyrm?

“Anuqi had suffered through their snoring . . . for all her life. Now, whatever else happened, at least she would have a break from that” (87). Anuqi is so petty, it’s honestly a bit funny.

“This outsider might be another liar, but she was determined” (88). I mean . . . shouldn’t she have been given just a bit more information???

“She glared at him . . . feeling the color rise in her face at having to admit that” (91). The juxtaposition is hilarious.

“The boy scowled at first, then grinned. He hopped down from the bed and performed a mock bow” (92). This guy is giving major theater kid energy.

“‘But the girl who helped Zerif steal her from you is [here]. And she has other spirit animals, stolen from others like you’” (93). How does Raisha have the stolen spirit animals??? They belong to Zerif, right???

“‘I never even got to touch him’” (94). Oh my god . . . wow, that’s just. That’s just sad.

“‘I’ll never force someone to serve against their will. Those days are in my past’” (95). Okay, obviously Talon was a Conqueror, but like. I need to know her story??? What exactly did she do?

“‘I just needed to know if you would actually let me go. If you were telling the truth’” (96). Honestly, fair. At least she’s not stupid.

“‘Shouldn’t those cursed Greencloaks be taking care of this?’” (96). She has a point . . . why don’t the Greencloaks know about Raisha and Zerif yet???

“‘The Keeper and a whole party of them are headed toward Brecksbury, a day’s journey from here . . . ’” (96). The mysterious Keeper strikes again. Who is this guy???

I like Anuqi’s views on the Greencloaks. The writers did a good job of making sure they didn’t make the Greencloaks seem like the most perfect organization to ever exist, ever.

“If nothing else, Talon and Grif had given her the chance to fight back” (99). I like that Anuqi doesn’t get all emotional and charge Raisha the second she sees her, ruining the plan. I hate it when characters ruin a perfectly good plan.

“ . . . Talon emerged from under the stage, grabbing the first boy and girl and their spirit animals and pulling them with her” (100). She just grabbed a yak???

Why did they sabotage the guards??? I thought they were after the mercenaries?

“‘We’ll see who the predators are . . . and who are the prey,’ Grif said darkly” (105). Cringy-ass line, and made even funnier by the fact that he’s completely serious.

“‘You may not be a fighter, but you’ve a cunning to you’” (105). I like that they didn’t immediately make her a ridiculously good fighter for plot convenience the first moment it was needed.

“If she went down fighting, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about the emptiness inside her where Suka had been” (107). Wow, she’s lowkey suicidal???

“There, over to the right, just a stone’s throw from their tracks, was another set in parallel” (107). How did they not notice it, then? Maybe they were tired . . .

The fact that if they had just blown the horn this could’ve been avoided is just. So sad.

“Raisha was behind Talon. A sharp dirk gleaming at Talon’s throat” (107). That was weirdly grammatically inaccurate. Strange . . .

“Was she really going to let herself be captured for someone she’d only just met?” (108). I like how she actually tried to run. Most protagonists would’ve done the “noble” thing.

How did Grif and Anuqi not notice anything weird about Talon’s appearance? Shouldn’t she have merged with a bird of some sort?

Anuqi feeling remorse is very. Protagonist of her.

“Talon appeared to be making friends with a robin in a nearby cage . . . ” (109). Can Talon speak bird???

Anuqi has so much character development and trust-building . . . wow.

“A few blows to the floorboards . . . revealed the dark ground passing by below” (111). Why didn’t Grif just use the ax to jump Anuqi and Talon out?

“Anuqi would have expected her to sound more pleased that they were being rescued” (112). Talon’s fear of the Greencloaks makes sense . . . but what specifically happened?

“‘Tell them you were captured separately. It will go easier for you that way’” (112). So the Greencloaks appear to know Talon personally??? How?

“‘That’s the Keeper,’ Talon said, pointing to a young figure resplendent in tellunum armor . . . ” (113). I need to know more about this guy.

“‘And over there - that one is Keith’ . . . ‘Looks like he finally learned how to fight’” (113). Which implies that Talon knows Keith. Did they ever fight? Did Talon defeat Keith?

“Let Zerif, Raisha, and the Greencloaks take care of each other, leaving their usual trail of destruction. Anuqi had all the friends she needed” (114). I like how she still doesn’t like the Greencloaks, like it’s really realistic.

Kovo

“Takoda couldn’t honestly remember what Sodu had even said” (118). What is it with Sodu and being a piece of shit, anyway? Why is he constantly the bad guy? What’s his backstory?

“Willing to go into battle against the Conquerors for their family” (118). Takoda’s rage at his parents’ deaths should have been explored more in the main story, in my opinion.

“‘Takoda, meet Nambi. Nambi, meet Takoda. I think you’ll be friends’” (120). This implies Nambi can hear her in passive state, so I might be right about the whole spirit-animals-in-passive-state-are-still-aware-of-what’s-going-on theory.

“At first, it made Takoda angry, that what was once Sodu’s punishment was now his own” (121). Is Sodu not going to be punished for insulting Takoda???

“ . . . the same red eyes stared wildly at him from the top of the dark stairs” (124). I interpreted the “wildly” to mean that Kovo was also taken by surprise. Like he probably didn’t expect this either???

“The gorilla pinched the rim with its hairy knuckles, muffling the sound” (125). That’s hilarious. He just decided the bell was annoying and stopped it.

“Suddenly, Takoda didn’t want to run. He wanted to fight” (125). Since you’re supposed to feel like your spirit animal for a second after bonding, does this mean that Kovo just . . . constantly wants to fight?

Takoda and Kovo screaming at each other is so funny.

Why did the monks lock Takoda in a silo???

“What kind of spirit did Takoda have to be bonded with such a creature? Kovo was the most villainous, conniving wretch in the history of Erdas” (127). Yeah, how exactly are spirit animals “assigned”?

I like that they explore what happens if you don’t touch your spirit animal.

“The stories of the ape had always said he was very clever - if Kovo was trying to knock the wall down, he should have pounded the same few stones until they cracked” (129). Is he trying to use the blood to paint the picture of the Wyrm?

“Instead, he noticed one image repeated again and again” (131). So I was right. Slay.

“Some inner strength he thought had died with his mother had found its way back to him” (131). Another theory could be that people who need the support a spirit animal provides are the only ones that get one?

“Takoda reached out and pressed his smaller fist to Kovo’s” (132). And . . . they bonded by fist-bumping,

“Takoda tried again to engage the ape with questions, but he was almost entirely unresponsive” (133). That’s funny considering he was the one who pushed for the touch-and-bond thing.

“Then Kovo turned and continued watching out the far window of the bell tower . . . ” (134). Maybe he’s watching for the Wyrm?

“Walking on, Takoda was nearly certain he noticed a brief smile appear on Kovo’s menacing face” (135). Can Kovo feel Takoda’s hatred for Sodu? Because otherwise, Sodu’s just a random monk, right?

“‘You have a spirit animal now,’ she said. ‘You should dress accordingly’” (136). There’s a dress code for spirit animal summoners???

“He gaped at the heroic duo, then flushed when the boy nodded at him” (136). The Heroes’ fame never fails to make me laugh.

“And yet the young Greencloak seemed to be wrestling with his anger . . . ” (137). Angry Conor is the best kind of Conor.

“[Conor’s] blue eyes met Takoda’s . . . ” (137). I know I’m still hung up over that one time Conor’s eyes were described as green compared to the other five or six times they’re described as blue, but that time was the first time.

“Takoda had nothing but questions for Conor” (138). This reminds me of that time in the main series where Abeke doesn’t know what to think of all of Tasha’s questions for her and Rollan.

“‘Now you get to run’” (139). Something something the symbolism doesn’t really hit the mark because running in a free way is different from running in a trapped way something something.

Also, I need Takoda and Abeke to bond over their shared love of running???

“Behind him, Takoda heard Kovo’s chains jangling as he knuckled along” (141). Okay, why didn’t they remove Kovo’s chain entirely???

“Whatever Kovo’s reasons, Takoda was grateful” (144). I wonder if the spirit animal bond can force a level of protectiveness???

“‘Kalani! Get the boat ready for launch!’” (144). EYYYY, Kalani’s here??? I don’t remember that.

“His dark tunic was open at his chest . . . ” (145). I know Zerif has a reason and whatnot, but he still gives bad-boy-who-thinks-he’s-too-cool-for-school energy.

“He grabbed the wolf by the scruff of his neck and managed to lift the massive animal off the ground as he stood” (147). How??? All his animals are in passive state . . .

“He’s wondering if I’m worth it, Takdoa realized bleakly” (149). I love this line so much. It shows that Conor isn’t the perfect, gentle person everyone thinks he is, and I honestly feel annoyed that this wasn’t further explored in the main series. Conor’s feelings about Takoda and whether he feels Kovo was worth it were just. Never talked about.

Gerathon

“Urban’s precious mule might have to pitch in” (154). Yes, Raisha is an objectively bad person, but her thoughts are hilarious.

“ . . . the Mire, a Greencloak prison built on an island of much in the midst of a tropical swamp” (154). Honestly, it’s a missed opportunity that Dante, the Greencloak that Rollan and Abeke meet up with in The Return, never makes an appearance. It would be so much cooler to see his personality go against Raisha’s because we know that he is more violence-happy. He’s also canonically worked at the Mire before, so it kind of works.

“‘I’m twelve,’ . . . ‘I was used’” (155). I like that Raisha’s smart enough to milk her age for all it’s worth. Not that it got her that far.

“‘You helped to separate people from their spirit animals,’ Urban accused. ‘Is any crime more despicable?’ ‘It’s a favor if your spirit animal is a mule,’ Raisha said, panting” (155). Again, Raisha is cruel, but hilarious.

“Who needed to scale walls if the guards took you on a walk through the jungle every other day?” (156). Yeah, I get that the guards are secure in their ability to keep prisoners in line, but that just seems dumb. Why don’t they just build another wall around the place where the water is, so escape is impossible?

“Anonymity no longer protected her” (159). The fact that nobody saw Raisha coming is just. Honestly a bit weird?

“The vines had collapsed around her like a dozen constrictors. No. It was netting - a trap concealed in the vines” (160). Okay, so there are precautions, even if they aren’t as foolproof as a wall.

“Working for Zerif had been a glorious, empowering game. Before Zerif entered her life, Raisha had always felt ignored” (162). Is that her reason??? She felt invisible? Wow, that’s just. That’s so . . . I don’t even know. Like, I thought she’d have a backstory of hating the Greencloaks or something, but apparently not.

“Was there any chance he would come for her now? No. With her cover blown, she would be of little use to him” (162). So she’s not stupid, yet she still partnered with him knowing this?

“Creatures of legend, taken as easily as if they’d been dogs in the street” (162). I wonder if Raisha was one of those people that didn’t believe in the Great Beasts before the Second Devourer War.

“Without that secret, who would she have been? Nobody” (163). This is so ironic in hindsight. But honestly, her motivations are halfway to understandable.

“‘This smells fishy.’ ‘It’s mildew,’ Raisha corrected” (167). Raisha is winning me over through humor alone, honestly.

“Was his look meant to convey sympathy? Did he want her to trust him? Was he out of his mind?” (168). Honestly, Raisha should’ve taken Urban’s offer of working together, if only to have a chance at escape.

“No, there was no need. Raisha had served him well. She would still serve him. Why separate her from the snake? But would he see it that way?” (169). Raisha literally admitted to herself that Zerif wouldn’t come for her, and now she’s trying to convince herself that Zerif won’t steal Gerathon???

“It seemed like Gerathon wanted to go. That was good enough for Raisha, who felt no path was clearly better than the others” (172). Raisha at least learned to trust her spirit animal quickly.

“Raisha asked for no elaboration about the guard. She assumed Dorell had killed him and dumped the body in the swamp” (174). Why does she just immediately assume that? Because it’s what Zerif would do?

“‘Go ahead and kill me. See how far you two get in the swamp alone at night. No? Then get down.’ The cobra loosed her hold of him and dropped to the bottom of the skiff” (176). Why didn’t Gerathon just stay on him without killing him?

“Raisha wondered if Gerathon could still use her venom to control people, like the stories of the Great Serpent had said” (176). By “venom” . . . she means the Bile, right??? Is the Bile just Gerathon’s venom?

“‘Why?’ he asked. ‘I trust the cobra,’ Raisha said” (179). Yeah, Gerathon definitely knew he was working for Zerif.

“The voice filled her with a sickly mixture of excitement and dread” (180). Oof.

“‘Though Dorell did work for me’” (181). How did Zerif even recruit Dorell?

“‘But whenever possible, I prefer a sure bet. This will leave no room for error’” (181). Why didn’t Zerif turn Raisha before? Maybe turned individuals are incapable of calling a spirit animal and Zerif wanted Raisha to call Gerathon before turning her?

“‘This isn’t right! I called her. Gerathon! Gerathon, where are you?’” (181). Well. Here we are. Honestly, no words for this. I wish that, after the war, the other Great Beast summoners would come to learn of what happened to Raisha and celebrate it and rub it in her face, but that never happens in canon, sadly.

“‘I’m sorry!’ Raisha called to the cobra” (182). Sorry for the just the cobra, or for other people, too?

“Was this what she had been doing to people? Faces flashed through her mind. The hopeful, seafaring Cordalles and goofy Dawson Trunswick. Spritely Grif and stern Anuqi” (183). Wow, I’m surprised she remembers their names. Also, all these kids get taken by the Redcloaks, so I feel like they should all become friends, united in their hatred of Raisha. Also, does she actually experience remorse???

“It was too late to be sorry, but that didn’t stop her” (183). I want to know what happened to Raisha after the war. She got back Gerathon, right? Would the Greencloaks have re-arrested her? Did she go willingly? Did they instead send her to Greenhaven to train, once they realized she was truly remorseful? What about Urban??? So many questions . . .

Final thoughts and rating (longer than usual, sorry):

Alright, in terms of ranking the stories, my favorite was definitely Devin’s chapter. Not only do we follow an established character, the story is also surprisingly good at developing Devin from his mean old self to his new Redcloak self. Devin’s anger problems coming full circle and becoming the basis for his plan is just. Ingenious writing and character development. The way Devin uses his weaknesses and makes it his strength is such an impeccable way of demonstrating his development. I also like that it comes full circle, because Devin as a Conqueror fought Great Beast Rumfuss. Then, newly redeemed Devin saves Rumfuss. Him realizing he used to be a bully is done so well, and I found the dynamic between Karmo and Devin to be entertaining, as well. My next favorite is Halawir’s chapter. I wish that all of the chapters, aside from Devin’s and Anuqi’s, had been told from the spirit animal’s perspective, and Halawir’s is the only chapter that delivered. Halawir was such a joy to follow, from his comedic thoughts, to his development, and despite that, we still understand Cordalles as well (her issues involving her parents’ trust). I feel like Cordalles would have trust issues as a result of this chapter, seeing as the first new person she meets (Raisha) turned out to be a traitor (but that’s something to explore later). I like Halawir’s recognition of Zerif and how it’s confirmed that it’s the spirit animal’s choice to give their powers over to the human partner. Overall, a very good chapter. My next favorite was Raisha’s. Despite the fact that it does follow the tired formula of person-with-a-spirit-animal-goes-on-an-adventure, Raisha’s vileness makes a difference, because it’s not an adventure for the good of society, but for the good of herself. This story being at the end also was a perfect full-circle moment because the whole story, we’ve been seeing Raisha through other characters’ eyes. I liked that Raisha wasn’t (that) stupid and she ended up (kind of) feeling remorse in the end. I do wish this story had followed Gerathon’s perspective, instead. It would’ve made the story much better, in my opinion.

My second-to-least favorite was Anuqi’s chapter. It was called “Suka and Arax”, so I expected it to be dual perspective. I feel like it should’ve been. We could’ve seen what happened after Grif escaped the wagon. We also could’ve felt Grif’s pain and seen him cause chaos during the ceremony. This story would’ve been better in a dual perspective format, but they didn’t go that route, so it felt empty. Grif’s an interesting character, so it would’ve been good to explore that. I also wish the story would have shown Talon trusting Grif and Anuqi with her story. She seems particularly interesting, and this would’ve been a prime time to let her show vulnerability and trust toward the kids to build a connection. Several clues and hints are dropped about her, but we never get her full story and that frustrated me. It did stray from the beaten-down path by not having Grif and Anuqi have spirit animals, but I still feel it could’ve done a bit better. And my least favorite of the stories. Takoda’s. I don’t have a particular problem with it except that the entire story could’ve been covered in the main series. Takoda’s anger and then coming to terms with it was a big part of the main story. Conor’s frustration toward Takoda is hinted at, but never expanded in the main story, so it was a waste of potential. Everything covered in this short story could’ve been covered in the main story. It took away from what could’ve been an interesting arc for Conor in the main story (coming to terms with the frustration of becoming the Wyrm’s slave because of Kovo). Instead of this story, we could’ve instead had a longer version of the Suka and Arax chapter told in multiple perspectives, including Talon’s backstory. Sacrificing that for a story which should’ve instead been a part of the main story is my biggest gripe with the Kovo chapter. The entire chapter is pretty much pointless.

Rating: 8/10

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carnivorousladybug · 11 months

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You Owe Me a Debt: Chap 4

Masterlist / Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Author's Note: This is definitely not a parody. You should take everything in this fanfic 100% seriously. This story is true to canon. It really happened. Trust me, I was there.

Story Summary: As the second son of King Visery's second wife, Aemond Targaryen is given only a small allowance. The measly funds were nowhere near enough to pay for the prince's daily necessities, such as his 16-step Olaplex haircare routine. The young prince is secretly forced to live on credit and he must count every last cent he spends. One day, someone steals his money, leaving Aemond penniless and angry. Will he be able to get his money back or will his broke ass be humiliated in front of court for not being able to pay his Klarnax installments for his sapphire?

Pairings: Aemond Targaryen x Visenya Targaryen (Rhaenyra's Daughter) but ironically.

Rating: PG 13

Chapter 4: The Drag Queen Vhagar

Words: 3.931k

Warnings: Communism, violent Gold Cloaks, someone gets stabbed.

The girl grinned — a haughty smile that made her uncannily similar to someone he knew, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly who it was. Aemond stared at her in bewilderment.

“My name is Visenya Targaryen, daughter of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone, and Prince Consort Daemon Targaryen,” she said proudly with her chin up, as if she were speaking in front of a royal court and not to a young man in puke-stained clothes beside a giant garbage bin at the back of a theme park's visitor center. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes. “I didn’t fancy seeing you here, Kepus. It is wonderful to finally meet you. I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to get vomit on me.”

She had a rather fast way of speaking and Aemond had to take a moment to process her words. Trying to salvage the last shred of dignity within him, he stood up and quickly composed himself into the cool, confident demeanor that he had trained himself to possess.

“Apologies, Niece. I did not know my half-sister had a daughter,” said the prince.

“Well, technically, she doesn’t. Not yet, at least,” said Visenya. Aemond gave her a quizzical look. She continued, leaning towards him to whisper as if she were sharing a secret, “I’m not supposed to have been born yet.”

“Then how are you here?”

“Because the fandom likes me and there’s quite a lot of people who ship us.”

“They— what?”

“They ship us. In fandom language, it means that they think we’d make a cute couple. It also means that they write fanfics about us making babies together.”

Every word that came out of her mouth caught him off guard and he was sure he was gaping like a fish out of water.

“Does that mean— do we get— married?” Aemond stammered.

“Oh, no no no. Not in this universe, anyway. My mother won’t give birth to me until Viserys dies, and I was stillborn so I never actually even lived. Plus, I’m not your type. You like wet nurses who are twice your age and have a name that sounds similar to your mother’s.”

“I do not,” protested Aemond, emphasizing the not.

Visenya grinned as if she knew something he didn’t. They’ve only just met and yet she was starting to get on his nerves.

“What brings you to King’s Landing, Princess?” Aemond asked, his tone laced with the slightest tinge of irritation.

The princess offered a small, impish grin. “I’m on official family business. King Viserys has summoned everyone. He is rewriting the order of succession and he wants to make you his heir.”

There was a moment of silence as Aemond’s eye widened in shock before narrowing in suspicion. Visenya burst into laughter.

“You should’ve seen your face—” she wheezed, a hand clutching her stomach.

“I do not have time for your games,” he snarled. Any hint of warmth in his tone was now gone. “If you came here to mock me, I suggest you leave.”

“Apologies, Uncle. I meant no harm. The truth is that I ran away,” Visenya confessed. She blew out a breath. “I… got tired of Dragonstone. I’m not supposed to be here. I snuck out.”

He studied her for a moment, reading her expression. Aemond had lived at court his whole life and he has spent years reading faces. He could see a thin layer of guilt settle over his niece’s eyes as she talked. But behind that was something fiery. It was a fervor, a determination, a certain stubbornness to get what one wanted — or to die trying. It was the same expression he saw on himself this morning when he snuck out of the Keep.

“Hm. That explains the peasant clothes,” he said finally.

“They’re actually Recession core clothes.”

“What?”

Visenya waved his question away. “Why were you in a Vhagar costume?”

Aemond pressed his lips together. “You saw nothing.”

“Well, right now I can see that you need something new to wear,” said his niece, gesturing at his soiled tunic. “Wait here, I’ll be back.”

Visenya came back five minutes later carrying a bag with a Journey into Old Valyria logo.

"I got something from the gift shop for you," she said. Visenya stretched out her hand and offered the bag to Aemond. He accepted it from her and dug around its contents.

Aemond took out a bright, neon green T-shirt with a picture of Vhagar printed on the front. The words "THE DRAGON QUEEN VHAGAR" was written in a large comic sans font, except the last two words of “dragon” was nearly faded so instead it looked like it said “THE DRAG QUEEN VHAGAR.”

It looked atrocious.

“You brought me a Vhagar T-shirt,” he said in monotone, trying to conceal his feelings towards it. “And… a wig?” He held up a straight black haired wig. It was as long as his real hair and had sleek strands that had a plastic shine to them.

“Well I’m not walking around with a guy who looks like he’s a part of the Westerosi mafia,” Visenya said, putting her hands on her hips. “You can keep the sunglasses, but that cloak has got to go. Plus, you’ve got some puke on it too.” She pointed to a spot at the hem of his cloak. “The wig will cover your hair in its place.”

“I am not wearing this wig.”

“If you want, I can get a wig for myself too so we can be twinsies.”

“No. I’m not wearing this wig.”

“You will if you don’t want people to recognize you while you’re wearing a The Drag Queen Vhagar T-shirt,” said Visenya. “Actually, that would be kind of hilarious. Westeros Today would have a field day. By the way, is it true that you’re an outfit repeater—”

“Turn around,” Aemond snapped.

“What?”

“I’m going to change.”

The princess turned her back as Aemond began changing out of his tunic. He tossed the dirty shirt into the garbage bin.

“I never took you for a shy one, Kepas,” she said, her back still turned. She kicked around some of the pebbles at her feet. “What are you hiding under there that requires my eyes adverted? Tits?”

“You and Aegon would get along well.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

“That was not a compliment.”

After he finished changing, Aemond let Visenya know that she could turn. When she saw his new look, the princess gave him a smile so wide that it kind of scared him.

“Ooo la la!” She sang. “You look so vampy. Like one of the Volturi guys from Twilight. Aro. Well, Aro if he was a highlighter.”

“I told you not to mock me,” Aemond grumbled.

“I wasn’t,” said Visenya. “I think Aro is hot.”

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At Visenya’s request, they stopped at the gift shop before they left. She picked out a jet-black wig identical to Aemond’s and went into the privy to put it on. When she came back out, her uncle was standing rigidly in front of a shelf full of dragon figurines.

“How do I look?” she asked. Visenya twirled dramatically in front of him, the long ebony locks flying outwards.

“Ridiculous,” he replied. With the sunglasses, she couldn’t read the expression in his eye, but she did see the corners of his mouth turn up slightly.

Visenya paid for her wig and they made their exit, the gift shop door swinging shut behind them. The warmth of the bright afternoon hit her face as the noises of the squealing children and the mechanical whirs of the park rides enveloped them once more.

Aemond walked along silently beside her. Her uncle was not a man of many words, Visenya discovered.

"You still haven't told me why you were in the Vhagar costume," said Visenya, tilting her head up at him.

Silence.

Visenya tried again. “Do you come here often?” She gestured towards the rides around them.

Silence.

She decided to change tactics. “Where did you buy that sapphire behind those shades?” Visenya asked. “It’s very pretty, by the way. It suits you.”

Silence.

Well, okay, she thought. Point taken. No talking.

She didn't say a word for the rest of the way towards the park exits. But before leaving for good, she and Aemond stopped by at a Subway inside the park near the ticket stations. Visenya bought sandwiches for both of them and they quickly refueled, gobbling up the food in minutes.

When they got out, Visenya was shocked to find that there was quite a commotion. The streets were packed with people, many of them carrying solid red flags and chanting. She couldn’t make out the words, but there was a powerful force to the crowd as they surged forward, carrying her along with them like a current. Before she knew it, she and Aemond were part of the vast herd, all heading in the same direction with determined faces and fists raised in the air. The noise of their shouts were deafening.

Visenya struggled to keep her balance as the crowd pushed her around and she yelped, stumbling. Aemond reached for her hand, pulling her close to his side.

“What’s going on?” Visenya shouted, her eyes darting around frantically.

“I don’t know,” he yelled, his face serious. “But I intend to find out.”

They pushed their way towards a crowded square, Visenya following her uncle’s lead. She stared around in awe.

There were hundreds of people, a sea of red flags gleaming in the late afternoon sun, and a cacophony of chants, all rising in unison. It was a sight to behold. There was something raw and unrestrained about the energy of the crowd… Everything about the scene was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was both frightening and exhilarating, and she felt adrenaline surging through her veins.

Despite Aemond’s reserved demeanor, Visenya could tell that he was distressed by the tight grip he had on her hand.

In the midst of the chaos, the sound of a megaphone reverberated through the air as a burly man stepped on top of a soapbox at the center of the square. He was a tall, muscular man dressed in leathers with a sword strapped to his side. Long, brown hair fell loosely around a stern face, a deep scar across one side of his cheek. He seemed to be around middle-aged. Visenya wondered if he were a sellsword. There was a sense of power and command about him that she could not ignore, a sense that if he were to speak, all would pause and listen.

“Comrades!” his voice boomed.

The crowd fell silent. Visenya looked up at her uncle, trying to catch his eye, but he was staring intently ahead at the speaker. Aemond’s forehead was creased and his lips were set in a grim line.

The man’s voice was firm and determined as he addressed the crowd gathered before him.

“We live in a city of great wealth and power,” said the man. There was something about his accent that seemed Northern. “King’s Landing is the biggest city in all of Westeros, the very beating heart of the continent, the home of our Targaryen dragonlords. We live in a city rich with history, trade, and culture. But we also live in a city where too many are suffering.”

He looked around at the faces in the crowd, a mix of anger and desperation on their faces.

“We see our brothers dying of disease, lost and alone in the bowels of Flea Bottom. We see our sisters, selling their dignity, just to provide for their infants. We see our children going to bed each night with hunger pains while those who have the power to help choose to turn a blind eye.”

The man’s voice rose. “The lords will tell you that they have your best interests at heart, but they only seek to maintain their own wealth and power. Do not be fooled by their lies!

“It is we, the workers, who create the wealth of the kingdom with our labor. And yet, it is the nobles who live in luxury while us smallfolk struggle to make ends meet. Well, I say to that, no more!” A cheer went up.

“We will not stand idly and watch as our fellow citizens suffer. All people, nobility or not, have the right to a decent life. The time for change is upon us! We must rise up and overthrow this oppressive system and establish a worker’s paradise. One where the fruits of our labor will be shared equally among all. One where the power will belong to the people, and not to the few!

“We shall not rest until our demands are met. We shall not yield until justice is served. For the people of King’s Landing, for the future of Westeros, for the future of our families and the generations to come, we are here to say that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

The crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer as the man lifted his fist in the air.

Enough is enough! the people cried. Enough is enough!

Aemond leaned in towards Visenya's ear. "We need to leave. Now."

And then all hell broke loose.

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Aemond saw a dozen Gold Cloaks surrounding the square. Just as he pulled Visenya with him to make a run for it, one of the guards punched someone at the edge of the crowd and a brawl began. The sounds of metal clashing against bone echoed around the square as the people screamed and pushed.

Aemond sprinted onto a narrow road, Visenya following close behind him. The two zigzagged their way through the maze-like streets, trying to put as much distance between them and the trouble in the square as possible.

"Oi! You two! Stop right there!"

Aemond dared to glance back. Two of the Gold Cloaks were hot on their heels. Aemond felt blood rush to his head, his heart pounding. He cursed Visenya for getting him a ludicrously conspicuous T-shirt.

They ran past a bakery with bags of flour stacked on a wagon at the storefront. Thinking fast, Aemond took out a dagger he had hidden in his boot and slashed the flour sacks. With a sudden burst of energy, he pushed the bags onto the street behind them. Powdery dust exploded in the air as he took Visenya’s hand and continued to run down the streets.

Aemond heard the guards' footsteps stop as they let out a howl. The men started coughing and hacking flour out of their lungs.

Once he and Visenya had put behind a safe distance, Aemond slowed down and led them into a narrow deserted alleyway off the street. The sun was setting now and long shadows were growing on the buildings and cobblestones. He leaned against the cold stone wall of the alley, catching his breath, his heart racing a mile per minute.

To his surprise, Visenya was laughing, her chest heaving as the sound escaped her. The light from the burning lamps on the road casted a warm glow on her face, and he saw that her cheeks were flushed from the exertion of the chase, her eyes shining with amusement.

"That was fun," she said.

"Fun? We could've gotten killed," Aemond said.

"But we didn't."

Aemond didn’t say anything to that. He took a few moments for his breathing to return to normal. They stayed in a comfortable silence for a while, hidden in the darkness of the alley, as they watched the people passing up and down in the street.

"That was a Communist rally," he said after a while. Visenya looked at him, waiting for him to go on. "I had heard rumors of such gatherings occuring in King’s Landing but I never thought they existed in such a scale."

"They seem extraordinary," the princess said. “Did you see how that man was commanding the crowd? He—”

"The Communists are a threat to our way of life," Aemond snapped. “The highest treason against the crown. They want to pull us down to their level and have everyone live on scraps. If they had their way, there would be chaos everywhere. The Red Keep, sacked. Our dragons, killed. A complete dismantling of the system. Westeros would disintegrate into total anarchy.”

“He seem to have meant well, though,” Visenya said meekly.

“Meant well?”

Aemond felt his anger boiling. Visenya stayed silent, watching him intently with keen eyes. He clenched his fists, then unclenched them — a habit he had developed when he felt frustration.

“It is not only the nobility who are at stake,” said Aemond. “The Communists spread poison into the ears of the smallfolk as well. You heard what the man said back there. He was urging them to rebel. The Communists have been organizing strikes around the city, and it has only made poverty worse. The common people cannot afford to simply not work.”

“I’m just saying, he did make some good points,” Visenya shrugged.

“You’re simply saying that because you think he’s handsome.”

“I do not,” said Visenya, emphasizing the not. “The things he said about the small folks… Them starving, working their arses off, and getting nothing in return—”

“The smallfolks are lucky to have a job. They don’t need Communists ruining their livelihoods. The gods know it’s hard enough to even find a job in this city.”

“What would you know about jobs, Uncle?” she quipped. There was a bite in her tone.

“I know a lot more than you do,” He growled.

His niece opened her mouth to say something but suddenly paused. She shut her mouth again, realization dawning on her.

“You had been working,” she said. It wasn’t question and her voice didn’t hold any of the prior edge it had. She said it as a simple statement. “Journey into King’s Landing. The Vhagar costume. It was your job.”

If Aemond wasn’t drowning in a wave of utter humiliation, he would’ve admired his niece for her quick wit. Instead, he turned his head, opting to stare out into the street. He didn’t say a word to her, but he supposed there was much communicated within his silence.

Aemond counted the seconds until his anger calmed down and he turned to his niece once more.

“You will say nothing about it,” the prince said firmly. "If I hear that you’ve uttered a single word…” he trailed off. There was nothing he could threaten her with. She was Rhaenyra’s daughter, and that meant she was higher than him in status. At least, while Viserys was still alive.

But the princess nodded. “Your secret is safe with me, Kepas,” she said. Visenya’s eyes met his with an intensity.

“May I ask you a question?” she said.

“Hm.”

“Why do you have a job?”

Aemond’s expression grew stern, for she added hastily. “I meant no offense. You’re a prince of Westeros. Your father is King Viserys the first. You don’t have to work—”

“—And yet I do,” the prince lamented. “I was born the second son, but I am even less than that. I am the only second born male child in this entire realm who is not even a spare.”

“I am sorry that it troubles you, but you are still a prince and you will be brother to the future queen. Surely, you do not need to—”

“The future queen who cares not for her siblings? The future queen who hogs all the funds set aside for the royal family for only her and her brood? The future queen who sits comfortably at her seat in Dragonstone while her siblings are counting each coin they spend while being buried knee-deep in debts? You mean that selfish, future queen?”

“I will not allow you to talk about my mother that way.”

“I will talk about my half-sister as I wish,” Aemond snapped.

“Then I bid you farewell, Uncle,” Visenya said coldly. “Have a safe trip back to the Red Keep.”

The princess stormed out of the alley without looking back.

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The further Visenya walked, the narrower the street got, and the shabbier the buildings around her became. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She felt a chill run down her spine despite the warm summer night.

It was getting darker and darker and too late to turn back. Visenya knew she needed to get off the streets quickly.

She stopped at the first inn she saw. It was an old, seedy building with a door that creaked too loud when she pushed it open.

Visenya stepped into a dim room, lit with only a single oil lamp that was perched on the bar counter. A man — which she could only guess was the innkeeper — sat behind it, his eyes glassy and unfocused. He was a sorry sight, with rumpled clothes and red-veined eyes. The bar was almost empty, save for a sleeping drunk at a table in the corner, snoring loudly with his head under a blanket. The air hung heavy with the scent of ale and sweat.

The innkeeper grunted as she approached the bar.

“A room, please,” Visenya said quickly, wanting to get it over with.

“Name?”

She wondered if the man would even remember her tomorrow. “Visenya.”

“Vagina?”

“Visenya.”

“Lasagna?”

“Sue. My name is Sue.”

“Alright, Stew. This here’s your key,” he tossed a brass key towards her. “Up the stairs, third room to the left.”

Visenya started towards the stairs, which were located at the far end of the room. She was only a couple feet away from the railing when she felt a large hand grasp her shoulder.

“Say, miss, whatcha doing wandering around here alone?” Visenya flinched at the foul stench of the innkeeper’s breath as he leaned in to speak. His grip on her shoulder was like iron, and she struggled to pull free. “Pretty thing like you shouldn’t be alone.”

“Get your hands off me, or I’ll have your head, you filth,” she snarled, fury flaring in her eyes.

The innkeeper laughed, his laughter sounding like the rasp of a dying animal. “This whore thinks she’s a princess.” There was a dangerous edge to his voice, and Visenya knew she had to get away fast.

A sharp voice cut through the air. “Step away from her.”

Aemond. Still keeping a fierce grip on her, the innkeeper turned towards the direction of her uncle. The man hesitated at first, and then he burst out laughing.

“I am not a fan of the City Watch but I think we need to summon the Fashion Watch for that hideous shirt,” he sniggered. Aemond, wearing his neon green The Drag Queen Vhagar tee, was unamused. The innkeeper continued. “Is this your whore? I must say, she’s a weird bitch too—”

Visenya didn’t let the innkeeper finish. Seizing the opportunity the distraction gave her, she elbowed him in the stomach and broke free from his grasp. However, before she could escape, the innkeeper reached out and pulled her hair with a vicious yank, hoping to drag her back to him. Instead, he snatched her wig off, revealing her silver locks.

The innkeeper froze, clutching the black wig. “What in the world?” he gasped. “A Targaryen? But—”

Suddenly, the man gasped as blood gushed out of his mouth. He staggered off balance and started to fall forward. Visenya jumped out of the way and towards Aemond’s open arms as the innkeeper hit the floor, face first, with a loud thump. There was a stab wound at his back, a dark crimson stain in his tunic.

Behind the space where the innkeeper had stood was a young man with roughly cut shoulder-length white hair, a bloody dagger in his hand.

“Hello, Brother,” he said, nodding at Aemond. He turned to Visenya and grinned. “Hello, Stew.”

Chapter 5: Coming Soon

Author's Note: Aegon to the rescue! This chapter was chaotic to write. Thank you for reading :)

#hotd #hotd memes #hotd shitpost #aemond targaryen #aemond fanfiction #aemond one eye #aemond x oc #aemond x original female character #aemond x visenya #aemond fanfic #aemond stannies #hotd aemond #pro green #team green #aegon targaryen #aemond imagine

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golden--doodler · 1 year

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Boblinweek - Day 2: Tender/Gentle

I didn't participate in @boblinweek yesterday so I must make up for this the rest of the week 😭

Am I posting a section of a fic I already made and posted? Yes, but it's relevant, okay??

For context, this was my interpretation of Bob and Linda's first date, and apparently, in canon, Bob got an allergic reaction during the said first date, so here's them being cute in the hospital:

“You hush, mister. This was the most entertaining first date I’ve had.” She placed the bouquet she’d brought on his lap.

“You had time to buy flowers?” He looked down, admiring the colorful carnations.

“Well, they were for when you first came over, but I forgot to give them to you then, so I went home and got them. I want you to understand it doesn’t matter this happened. I’d stab you a thousand more times if it meant spending more time with you.”

He lifted his head to meet her eyes, and he seemed stunned, “You mean that? You would stab me with a needle a thousand times?”

“Yeah! I must sound crazy right now, but I would. It doesn’t matter we haven’t known each other for very long, I like helping you.” She sat on the edge of the bed and noticed how gray, drab, and unwelcoming the walls were. No wonder everyone was always in a bad mood at the hospital. “I’d like to get to know you more if you’d like to get to know me more.”

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish for a second, “Are you asking for a second date?”

“And a third. And a fourth!” Linda threw her hands in the air for emphasis. “I mean if you want to.”

“Of course, I want to. Did that sound too eager?” She looked down and noticed he’d intertwined his fingers with hers.

The same floating, fluttery feeling she’d gotten when they’d first met came rushing back. It must’ve shown on her cheeks, but she couldn’t find it within herself to care. He’d agreed to try more dates! She couldn’t believe how lucky she’d gotten. Here was this guy who must’ve still been reeling from his food poisoning incident, and he was finding it within him to be romantic.

She realized she didn’t need any big gestures. Not when she’d gotten this hand hold which meant everything. The cliché of not wanting to wash a hand someone you liked touched rang true for her. She didn’t know how long she’d be able to wait until they’d get to see each other again. How many days would it be? How long would she spend looking at her calendar until at last, he pulled up in his car--

“Oh! I didn’t know you had a visitor, Mr. Belcher.” The nurse walked in, her mouth open in surprise. She had quite a stocky build with bright, curly blonde hair which stood out against her all-white scrubs. She was holding a clipboard, which seemed to be Linda’s cue to make a hasty, but not ungraceful, exit.

Her face grew warm as she realized how close she and Bob were, “It’s no problem, I was just leav--”

She was cut off by the feeling of Bob grabbing her hand again. He gave her a pleading look, and her heart felt as if it would implode, “No, you can stay. I want you to stay.”

Linda wanted to, more than anything else she’d wanted to do in her life. However, when she first went on this date, she knew there’d come the time she’d need to leave. Despite this knowledge paining her, this seemed that exact time. Bob had been through a lot already, and even if them being together is what they both wanted, some alone time would do him some good. It might even do her some good.

“No, I… I’m sorry, Bob. I have to get going.” She gave him a small, and what she hoped was a warm, smile. “You better call me, though. This isn’t the last time we’re seeing each other.”

She could tell he was disappointed but nonetheless understood. He even managed a small smile of his own once she reached her last statement.

“Well, if you--” The nurse began again. Linda interrupted her again, though. She knew she couldn’t leave with just words. That wouldn’t be her in the slightest. No, Bob needed something to remember her by, to remember they needed to have some more time together.

Leaning forward, she delivered a quick but not insignificant kiss to Bob’s cheek. Her heart began thrumming faster in her chest when she leaned forward, and for a second, she almost backed out. In her head, this was too soon to deliver even this small of an affection. Well, in all honesty, it wasn’t small--not to her, at least. And the way it made her feel wasn’t small in the slightest. Once her lips connected with his soft, sweet face, all her worries dissipated. She was no longer wondering if their next date would end without a hospital visit. She was no longer wondering if her parents or Ginger would approve.

All she could think about was him. And this gave her a large, almost indescribable, feeling of warmth throughout her entire body. Afterward, she even felt her face, and sure enough, it was like touching a furnace. Linda turned to see what Bob’s reaction had been, and his expression reminded her of a computer having trouble loading. He seemed to be processing everything that had just occurred, and then he smiled again.

His smile was everything. After all she’d learned about him tonight, she knew that when he smiled, it was genuine. It was one of the many things she already enjoyed about him.

#bobs burgers #boblin #bobs burgers fanfiction #boblinweek23 #they make me feel too many things #linda just casually saving her man's life on their first date #and then wanting more dates with him

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natequarter · 1 year

Note

38 & 41 for Humphrey & Sophie please!

38: “I could never leave you, not that I’d tried.”

41: “I’d never guess that I’d end up here with you.”

Ao3 | prompts

Humphrey had zoned out of the banquet several hours ago—which was probably a mistake, because John was next to him, busy chatting his ear off about…

Well, he had no idea; he hadn’t been listening. Nor, he suspected, had his wife; she was nodding with the same glazed-over expression to the courtier next to her, whom he could have sworn was going on about the declining quality of Dutch rugs these days. It was baffling that anyone knew anything about Dutch carpets in the first place, never mind enough to rant about them in Latin.

Never mind that. He forced himself to focus on John, who seemed to have finally realised that Humphrey wasn’t paying the slightest attention to him.

“It’s not your wife, is it?” John was saying.

“Wha’?” he said, through a mouthful of food, then realised his mistake. “Sorry, what were you saying?”

“I was saying, it’s not your wife that’s got you all distracted, is it?” John repeated. “You weren’t listening to me.”

The, And you haven’t been for the last three hours, went unspoken but pointed.

“Oh, Jesu, no,” Humphrey said. “Well, that’s a bit harsh, but, uh … no, not really.”

“Unfortunate,” he said. “Well, that’s the French for you. Good for, ah, how do I put this politely? Not much.”

“Apparently nor are the Dutch,” Humphrey said.

“God’s fish, what are you talking about?”

“The bloke two seats to the right, he’s been droning on about how Holland’s flooring’s really gone down the drain in recent years,” Humphrey said. “I swear, I’ve been trying to tune him out, but it’s like that bloody Heywood everyone’s always harping on about—can’t get him out of my head.”

“Heywood?” John said. “Well, you know me: I—”

“Don’t do books,” Humphrey nodded.

“Yes, that—the only book that matters, if you don’t mind me saying, is the Bible. Haven’t so much as skimmed any plays for years … but if I had, I certainly wouldn’t have gone for the works of a Catholic.”

Humphrey resisted the urge to wince at Sophie’s sudden flinch. “Well … it’s not as if he’s around these parts anymore, is it?”

“True, true.”

“I just wish—with the arts, you know—that they’d come up with something new. Poets, I mean. How many Petrarchan sonnets is it even possible to write before a man goes out of his mind with boredom?”

“I wouldn’t know; I’ve never tried to write them. Perhaps you should find a new hobby, Humphrey. I hear bear-baiting is popular in London these days…”

“I’ll stick to hunting, thanks,” Humphrey said, and took another sip of wine. He was grateful for the spices; they masked the bitter taste lurking underneath. Such drinks unseasoned were almost universally disgusting, but he treasured the drowsy calm of inebriation too much to give them up.

He was, he suspected, well on his way to being drunk—but it was a welcome distraction from the drudgery of thinking, and it wasn’t like he was in the habit of doing extraordinarily stupid things when intoxicated.

Well, mostly.

“Left,” Humphrey said. “No, right. Or … do you know, I think we’re lost.”

“Sans fucking blague,” Sophie snapped, and he blinked at her.

“Did you just…?”

“Oui.”

“And would you happen to know which way—”

“À gauche,” she sighed, and dragged him to the left, which he had not seen coming.

“Right,” he said, swallowing. Her hand was warm against his, and she had quite a strong grip, things he would not have known otherwise.

They stumbled back to his room successfully, which felt like a miracle; he closed the door and collapsed on his bed, and she followed him.

He sat up. “You’re still here?”

He hadn’t meant for his voice to rise like that.

Sophie nodded. She was still holding his hand.

He didn’t know what to say to that. He didn’t know what to say to any of this. On any other day she would have fled: on any other day she would have put as much distance as possible between their two bodies, whether that be to the other side of the bed, or (when he was away, and she was not) to the other side of the country. And yet—she was still here. (She was also most likely drunk. Maybe that explained it.)

“Was he Dutch?” said Humphrey, to lessen the silence.

A series of understandings flitted through her eyes: a comprehension of the words he was saying, though he did not think she had the slightest clue of what they pertained to. And below all that: a subtle disappointment.

“The guy who was going on about flooring. Rugs. Mats. Was he Dutch?”

“No, Flemish.”

��Right,” he said. “It’s funny … I’d never have guessed that I’d end up here with you.”

“On est marié,” she said softly. She was looking at him in a funny way, as if she were searching for something; he wondered if she had found it.

He always worried that he was too easy to read.

“I could never leave you,” he said. “Not that I’ve tried,” he added hastily. “It’s strange, isn’t it? But—well—” Humphrey fumbled for words. “At the end of the day, it’s just you and me. I mean, sure, there’s other people who’ll stick around—but that’s their choice. You and me … like it or not, we’ll be together, in this world and the next.”

Sophie was looking at him with a sideways curiosity, and he wondered if she had seen some loathsome part of his soul that he hadn’t meant to bare. In fact, she was awfully close; she was all warmth and nearness, which was new, her cassonade eyes mellowed by the flickering candlelight. She was waiting for something, and so was he; they were both waiting for a first move, though whether they agreed on what that move might be was up in the air.

“Vous croyez?” she said in earnest.

“Um,” he said.

In that hesitant moment, she kissed him.

He had always dreamed, when he was younger, of freedom from the endless expectations of his parents. He had been old enough that he had not really gone willingly; he had watched his dreams be dashed at the altar, even with the knowledge that that was always how things would end up for him. But still—he had indulged in the fantasy of choice. In truth, he had never really stopped. He would dream of running quite literally into a woman in London, a smiling woman with dark hair and a green patterned dress—though these were mere fabrications to support the narrative—and that she would drop something, perhaps a plate. (He knew nothing of what women carried around in the streets of London.) She would laugh bashfully and apologise—all English, no French—he would smile and say it was his own fault, really.

It didn’t have to be that, even. Sometimes he dreamed that he might marry, well into his teens, his twenties even, for a woman at court had caught his eye; sometimes that his parents would think to marry him off to someone more reasonable, less obstinate, and not French—someone from the Low Countries, maybe, a sensible woman of Amsterdam and not Paris. Venetian, even, or Genoese; just someone who actually spoke English, or would at least concede to Latin. Maybe he would have been content to never marry; there were always men to play tennis and chess with, always friends to go a-hunting with. He would have been satisfied with any of the above, except perhaps a Spaniard; they were too far in the wrong direction—even worse than the French—and he’d always felt that the word Spaniard sounded a little too like bastard.

But any of that would have made sense; reality, on the other hand, delighted in the nonsensical—making out with a woman he didn’t love, who didn’t love him, on his bed, for example. His hands fumbled for direction, for purpose; he grasped her shoulders—bony as hell, but that was true of most shoulders—he let himself be straddled, he felt the hands at his doublet, and he thought of the familiarity of it. He had only ever gone to bed with one other person—dear, sweet Jane: that had been three years ago now, and at any rate it had only lasted two months before he’d lost his nerve and asked her in the kindest way he could think of to leave. Not the house, just his bedchamber, though inevitably she’d left for brighter horizons, and this was completely the wrong thing to be thinking about because Sophie was nothing like Jane; there was none of the same fear of offence to her and certainly there were no illusions of tenderness in the way she moved against him.

He wanted—he wanted—God, did he ever want. Clothing got in the way; there were too many layers and it was all far too fiddly and there, there was a good reason to want Elizabeth dead: the fashions she promoted were far too complicated when one was trying to undress, especially when any ridiculous notions of thinking had completely drifted away (or down south).

“Sophie,” he panted, when she had managed to wrench off his doublet, and he had half succeeded in removing her French hood, “were you planning on—asking—”

She pulled away, momentarily, and said: “Then do you want this?”

Which was a question that didn’t need answering; he pulled her in for another kiss, deeper this time, and took pleasure in her soft moan against his mouth.

“Please,” she gasped as his hands wandered lower, down towards her chest, her eyes wide and wanting. “I—I need you.”

It would have been hot—it was hot—he was already hopelessly distracted and they’d barely gone anywhere—if not for the fact that it was the first and last time he had seen her give in and let herself rely on him.

Humphrey woke up, and instantly regretted it. It was too bright—well, it wasn’t; the room was lit with the muted yellow hue of sunlight through curtains—but that was still too much for his pounding head. He closed his eyes, and opened them again, hoping it might help; alas, it did not.

He sat up, awkwardly, pulling at tangled sheets as he did so. When he tried to get out of bed (he was grateful, for once, that he had slept in his clothes), he was distracted by the strands of her hair, individually a monochromatic array of straw and amber, fawn and roan, shifting as the light did; together they wove a tapestry of implacable brown hair, impossible to be reduced down to one flat shade. Once he had been distracted by such a small feature it was not difficult to let himself admire the rest of her: that normally harsh, unsmiling mouth, softened by the innocence of sleep; those long, deft fingers, perhaps apt for creation in a world where she did not loathe tapestries; her eyelashes, her collarbone, her philtrum—that gentle dint in between a nose and a mouth which both went straight down.

She was beautiful, and he didn’t know a thing about her.

“Humphrey?” Sophie mumbled, halfway between dreams and the waking world. In that haze of sleep she missed out the h at the beginning of his name, leaving it a somewhat softer sound than he was used to. “Quel…”

“We are never talking about this again,” he said. “Ever.”

“À propos de—?” She sat up, as he had, and looked around in bewilderment at the evidence of the careless attention they had paid each other: at the doublet tossed onto the floor with haste, at the tangled sheets around them, at the various bruises blossoming down from her neck, and said, “On ne le discute plus jamais.”

He was pretty sure she hadn’t quite caught what he was saying, and dead certain that she had then repeated precisely what he had said, just in French.

“What John said,” Humphrey said, searching for something else to say without bringing the conversation to an end as abrupt as being thrown from a bucking horse. “Well, you know him, he’s always been very reformist, which is to say, I don’t think that any of what he’s saying is necessarily right, but we are sort of mates, and if you could please not punch him in the face next time we meet? That would be nice. Thanks.”

“Fine,” she said. “He is wrong, but fine.”

“Good. Okay. I mean, not that I’m suggesting you’d punch him in the face—decorum, propriety, etcetera … but that’s nice to know.”

“You ramble too much,” she muttered, and then lay back down again, hair fanning out like a halo for a particularly annoying saint—not that he could picture her ever martyring herself.

“Well, I’m sorry,” he retorted. “Next time, I’ll—”

But she had gone back to sleep, or at the very least closed her eyes and done a good job of regulating her breathing. Typical.

(Now that he thought about it, it was probably the latter.)

He rolled his eyes, and set out in search of a jug of water.

#asks #humphrey bone #sophie bone #hot tudors in your area #bbc ghosts #fic

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sinclaircherry · 3 years

Text

LETS PLAY A GAME| JJ Maybank

warning: lose of virginity, dirty talk, unprotected sex.

Being apart of the pogues was something Y/N had always enjoyed. Weather that was fishing with Pope, saving turtles with Kie, swinging in a hammock with John B, or goofing off with JJ, she’d always loved it. They were her heart, her lifeline at this point. Nothing could break them up, and there had been zero secrets among them. With that law in motion, the four knew every single person JJ would sleep with and how great it had been. By now, it was something they’d all been use to and didn’t bother scolding him for it. That being said, sex life out there and all, they all also knew Y/N was a virgin.

She was beautiful, truly one of the most stunning girls to walk the face of the earth. And it wasn’t like she didn’t have opportunity, because she had plenty of people throwing themselves in her direction everyday. But with the rule of no Kook and Pogue macking along with no Pogue and Pogue macking, all she ever had was the tourons. And maybe it made her clique and a prude, but Y/N didn’t want to loose her virginity to someone she barely knew and she’d never see again. Plus, with it being her first time, she wanted it to be with someone that would listen and understand her anxiety and wants.

The Pogue knew that, they always had. But now, with the summer here and so much tension built up, Y/N was tired of waiting around for a partner to come along. She was horny and wanted to have sex so badly, wanted to crave the thirst of it more then anything. The idea struck her in a dream actually, one that woke her up whimpering and arching her back. JJ’s hands pressed into her hip bones as his head was between her legs in this dream, waking not only her but also a sudden need and want for the boy.

Y/N always did find JJ so beautiful, even when he’d annoy her to no end and never keep his mouth shut. She loved JJ though, he’d been one of her closest friends and she’d walk through fire for him if he ever needed her too. It’s why Y/N strayed away from the idea so long, scared of what it might do to their friendship. He’d often times stay at her house to get away from his own father, and Y/N enjoyed the company with her own lack of partners around. Tonight has been one of those night, and the perfect opportunity for a face mask.

“Soft?” Y/N asked after JJ whipped his face clean of the mask, rubbing her hands over the transformed skin, “Isn’t this fun?”

“Soft and smooth.” he gave a accent with his words, running his hand on his face before looking at her, “Let me feel yours.”

Y/N leaned over and let him feel her face, shutting her eyes and leaning into his touch more. JJ grinned at the affection before pulling his hands back, causing her head to jerk up again, “Softer then mine.”

“Good genes.” Y/N gave a shrug, earning a grin, “Hey, JJ?”

“Hey, Y/N.” he mocked her.

“You know you’re my best friend and i’d never do anything to jeopardize our friendship and you mean the world to me, right?” she asked him with a raise of her eyebrows, legs moving around in her criss crosses position.

“Oh god, what did you do?” he asked her with alarming eyes. Y/N cracked a grin as he drummed on her knees slightly, “Duh, I know. Where is this coming from?”

Y/N hesitated, “I have a game.”

“A game?” the blonde rose one eyebrow, “Do tell.”

“Give me your full consent to touch you very inappropriately first.” Y/N said quickly before she could sike herself out.

JJ’s eyes widened, “Consent granted, go on.”

Y/N flashes a nerves smile as her face reddened, raising her hands to place on the side of his face before letting go, “You just mimic my actions.”

JJ did as he was told, placing his hands on the side of her face before letting go as well, “Now what?”

“Now it’s your turn and I mimic your actions.” Y/N nodded her head, seeing a flash of shyness in his eyes as his hands places on her shoulders and ran down her arms. Y/N did the same when he was done, “Now your turn?”

Y/N nodded her head as she hesitated put placed her hands on his chest, running his collarbones before dragging her hands gently down to his belly. JJ watched her with hooded eyes, catching them as she finished. He questioned her through his gaze, earning a nod as an okay. JJ tried not to grin as she moved her hair back, his hands placing on her collar bones with the similar rub before running his hands down her swelling breast. Y/N sucked in a breath when he passed her nipples, pushing closer before his hands were off of her suddenly. She met his eye as her voice came through as a whisper, “Your turn.”

JJ hesitated but ran his hands up her thighs, rubbing them slightly and stopped right at the bottom of her shorts. Y/N wasted no time to do the same to him, watching as he squirmed in the slightest when she got higher before letting go.

“We’re at a even number now.” Y/N said, her voice was nervous and her eyes glistened in innocents, “This is when we have to know what the other is thinking in order to win the game.”

JJ’s eyes flickered to her lips, “I hope we win.”

Y/N nodded in agreement, watching him as they leaned in on sync. Her hands lightly placed on the sides of his face when their lips met. He kissed her with force and passionately, wasting no time to push harder against her. Y/N hummed at the feeling of his lips on hers, leaning into him more as he worked her soft ones. JJ’s hands placed on her waist, rubbing slightly through the thin material. Y/N felt him calm down slightly and kiss her much more gentle, pulling back a second with one final peck to her lips. Her eyes stayed closed a moment before fluttering open and finding he’d still been staring at her.

Y/N smiled shyly as she bit the inside of her lips, “You’re a good kisser.”

JJ grinned in confidence, “You think so?”

She hesitated, “Can we do it again just to make sure?”

JJ gave a low chuckle, leaning over and cupping her face in a kiss. Y/N mimicked his actions from before with her hands placed upon his waist, rubbing gentle circles. She snuck her hand under the tee, rubbing the skin on his back and coming around to caress his stomach. He sucked in at her touch, but she followed with stern and lightly feathered finger tips. Y/N’s hands gripped his waist tightly as she began laying back, taking him with her. JJ dug his palms into the mattress of her bed, keeping them connected at the mouth.

Y/N wrapped a leg around him, pulling his lower body down to press into her own. His closed and hard cock pressed against her closed pussy, earning a sudden gasp from Y/N. She didn’t expect it, eyes wide as he pulled back.

“Shit, sorry, Y/N.” JJ cursed as he reached down and tried to tuck it away. She grabbed his wrist to stop him, the icy blue eyes flickering up at her.

“Don’t be sorry.” she whispered with a small smile, “Just do it again.”

JJ smirked at her words and let himself go, coming back down to press onto her again, “Is this all part of your game?”

“No, this part is real.” she hummed, running a hand through his blonde locks, “Is that okay with you?”

JJ grinned and peaked her lips, “Perfectly fine in my book. But are you sure? I know you’re a v-“

“I really wanna do it with someone I know and trust.” Y/N nodded her head, gazing up into his eyes, “I wanna do it with you.”

JJ gave her a grin, “You’re in good hands, pretty lady.”

Y/N watched his head dip down and placed kisses to her neck, head tilting for better access. JJ licked areas on her skin, sucking and kissing them along with way. Gentle sighed came from Y/N’s lap as she grinded up against him. JJ moaned against her skin, making her to do it again. Y/N messed with his tee shirt, giving him a whine and tugging at the end. JJ got the hint, sitting up and pulling it over his head. Y/N gazed up at his body with stunning eyes. She’d seen his shirtless so many times, but now he seemed so beautiful and all to her. Y/N ran her palm up his abs and as far up as she could reach, suddenly making eye contact and giving a smile, “Beautiful.”

JJ blushed as he leaned down and kissed her lips again, his hand roaming her abdomen, dipping his fingers under the material and pulling them away again. Y/N pulled back, “You can take it off.”

“You sure?” he asked her with questionable eyes. Y/N nodded as she sat up some, his hands pulling the material off and letting it join his shirt on the floor. Y/N’s lack of bra was JJ’s new favorite thing, gazing down at her breast with mesmerized eyes. Y/N became bashful and embarrassed under his gaze, squirming and heating up. JJ grinned at his effect, looking up at her, “Whats wrong, baby?”

“Stop staring.” she flushed and looked away.

“Can’t help it.” he said through kisses to her turned face, “So gorgeous.”

Y/N laughed lowly and wrapped her arms around his neck, turning to meet his lips once more. JJ kissed her a second before moving down her body some, kissing her collar bones and the upper part of her breast. Y/N arched upwards when he placed a kiss to her right nipple, mouth parting slightly and begging him to do it again with her body. JJ listened as he kissed her buds again, moving to do the same to the other. Y/N sighed in content as her eyes fluttered slut, feeling his lips wrap around it and give a suck. A moan escaped her lips, hand coming down to run through the back of his hair. She was gentle with her hand, not wanting to inflict an form of pain onto him because she wasn’t sure exactly how his father hurt him, and what he hadn’t told her or the others.

“Like it?” he asked her, coming up before going down again and sucking on her buds. Y/N whined and nodded in response, running her hand through his hair until he started to move down her body move. The piercing blue eyes flickered up at her, locking eyes as JJ’s hands ran along her thighs, “Want me to eat you out?”

“Is that okay?” she wanted to make sure. JJ cracked a grin, not answering her as he pulled the elastic shorts down her legs. Y/N pushed up to get them off her ankles, legs parted as JJ looked down at her lack of underwear.

“No panties?” he teased her, laying on his stomach.

“I sleep better without em.” she said back casually, earning a small giggle. Y/N turned her head on her pillow to look down at him, toying with the bedding under the pair. JJ blew on her swollen clit, having her squirm some. Y/N’s legs tightened, wanting to lose them but he’d been in between them.

“This okay, Y/N?” the way her name came off his tongue had her rolling her hips.

“Yeah.” she said back breathy, feeling her whole body heat up. JJ grinned at how cute she was, kissing her inner thighs and inching close and closer to her most sensitive area. Y/N flinched each time he’d move, chills spreading across her body. Her leg looped around his back, moving her right hand to run through the blonde locks again. Y/N grinned against her skin and took her by surprise when he finally put his mouth on her. Y/N breathed heavy as broken sighed escape her mouth. Shes masterbated with her fingers, vibrators, and pillows but the lips of JJ felt completely different. Y/N gave a small moan as he shook his head against her core, tongue licking and flicking at her clit.

“JJ.” Y/N moaned his name, pushing her hips up into him as a habit. JJ hummed against her, throwing his arms across her lower stomach to keep her still. The blonde boy grinned when he felt her free hand latch onto his, giving it a small squeeze in reassurance as he lapped her up even more. Y/N struggling to move her hips more, using her leg to pull him down closer. JJ pushed his head down into her clit more, causing more pressure as she moaned again. Her back was begging to be arched, hand tightening on his own hand tighter. JJ gave a few hums against her clit, making Y/N throw her head back as the pressure formed in her core, “I’m close.”

He picked up his speed, moving his head and tongue faster as Y/N held her breath before her body gave the stutter, the release finally taking over. JJ listened to her moan one after the other, much louder as she came for him. He waited until she reached down and shoved his head back, “I’m good, sensitive.”

She was taking deep breaths and slummed back on the pillow. JJ smiled as he pressed a small kiss to her throbbing clit, watching her hips buck away from him. He hovered over her nude body with a smirk, “How was it?”

Y/N laughed slightly as she pulling him down, hugging you into him, “Amazing. You’re so good at that, JJ, oh my god.”

JJ leaned on his elbows, kissing Y/N on the forehead and peeling hair from her face. She brushed her nose with his and peaked him on the lips. She wiggled around and felt his hard, closed dick on her naked pussy. Y/N grinding up into him, smiling when JJ shut his eyes in content. She leaned up and kissed his neck, like he’d done her before brushing across his collar bones. JJ let her linger a moment before yanking his head back and pressing his mouth to hers much longer. After a moment, he pulled away as her eyes fluttered up to him, “Wanna keep going?”

“You sure you’re ready?” he asked her, messing with one of her hands that was over her head, “We can stop if you want to.”

“No, I wanna keep doing this with you.” she spoke, staring into his eyes intensely, “Is that okay with you?”

“Perfect.” he grinned, kissing her lips again and sitting up. Y/N went with him, grabbing at the waist band of his shorts. JJ watched his sweet, innocent little best friend pull his shorts down his thighs before he collapsed on top of her again and wiggled out of the the rest of the way. The thin layer of underwear he wore had his hard dick against her sensitive clit. Y/N sighed at the feeling as she rolled her hips up onto his, “Impatient?”

“A little.” she said honestly, earning her a peak on the lips.

“Do you have any lube? So it won’t hurt you?” he asked her, glancing around in questioning.

“In the cabinet in my bathroom.” Y/N said back with a nod. JJ left a kiss to her bare chest before standing up and hurrying off toward the bathroom. Y/N laid naked on her bed a moment, giving herself a miny pep talk as her heart thumped in her chest. She was nervous, yet excited all at once. JJ was her gorgeous best friend that got around with everyone, she knew he knew what he was doing and would take care of her. Before her thoughts siked her out, he was charging back toward her bed and jumping in with her. Y/N giggled when her body bounced with his, the pair sharing a small laugh and cheeky, innocent smiles.

“Legs open.” he teased her in a mocking like voice. Y/N opened her legs for him, throwing one over his body so he’d be in the middle of them again. JJ pushed them open some so he had access to her core better. He spread the lube over his two fingers, sitting back and rubbing between her lips. Y/N reddened again as she wiggled slightly. JJ held her thigh to avoid her moving too much, rubbing the opening of her slit with the lupe. One of his fingers dipped inside of her slightly, earning a small flinch. JJ looked up, “Did that hurt?”

“No, I just didn’t expect it.” she said back to him, meeting his eye and giving a smile.

JJ smiled back as he continued to massage the lupe along her opening, getting her wet as well in the process, “Are you nervous?”

“A little bit.” she said back with a nod, coming up on her elbows to watch him, “You know i’ve never done this before.”

“Yes, I know.” he joked with her, looking up, “I’m gonna take care of you, Y/N/N, promise.”

“I know.” she agreed with him, “But I don’t wanna be horrible at it.”

“I’ll guide you. You won’t even have to do anything besides relax.” he spoke to her with a kiss to her knee, “Sound good?”

“Sounds good.” she agreed, watching as he shut the lid on the bottle and tossed it aside. JJ hovered over her to kiss her on the lips, his back arching down to her as she rubbed his back. JJ pulled one of his hands back, grabbing the waist band of his underwear. Y/N felt him do so, reaching down to help him slide them off. She felt JJ’s dick rub against her slit slightly, gasping into his mouth while he got them down his legs in no time. He pulled back, watching as she stared up with wide eyes.

“Just relax.” the blonde encouraged with a smirk across his lips, “Just trust me, okay? I’ve got you.”

Y/N nodded as she brushed her nose with his. JJ wrapped his arm under her back, using his other hands to guide himself through her slit slightly. Y/N rolled her hips at the feeling, feeling the head of his dick rub around her opening slightly. Their eyes met as he gave a nod, “Ready?”

Y/N nodded, relaxing in his arms as JJ gently pushed the head in. Y/N’s eyes widened again as she laid still. JJ stared down at her, “You okay? Does it hurt?”

“A small pinch but not bad. Just different.” she nodded her head, running her hands across his shoulder blade, “Are you good?”

JJ had to laugh as she gave a odd look, “Yeah, i’m good. Can I push in more?”

Y/N nodded her head, arms pulling him into her more. JJ’s abdomen touched hers as he began pushing inside of her more. Y/N’s lips parted as her eyebrows knitted, trying to get use to the feeling. There’d been a lot of pressure and she was relatively uncomfortable, but JJ’s breathy moan was enough for her to enjoy it. He bottomed out and dropped his head into her neck, breathing heavy. Y/N ran her hand through his hair as her other rubbed his back, sitting still a moment as he gave gentle whimpers into her neck each time she moved her hips to get use to the feeling. He shut his eyes to contain himself before she spoke, “You can move now.”

“You sure?” he asked, breathy like. Y/N found it extremely hot, the way he was weakening with his dick inside of her. She gave a grin of reassurance, leaning upwards to kiss her lips slightly. JJ listened to her instructions, pulling out slightly and slowly before pushing back in. Y/N shut her eyes as he did it again, arms relaxing as she hummed, “You like that?”

“Do it again.” she encouraged, making him push into her more and coming back in again. Y/N gave a whine as she nodded her head, “Can you go just a little faster.”

“Mhm.” JJ hummed, picking up his hips some as his own moans fell from his lips. Y/N got wetter at the sound, opening her eyes to watch his beauty hover over her with his eyes shut and mouth parted. She held his face, kissing his neck and sucking the same areas. JJ moaned louder when she did it, snapping his hips down into hers. Y/N moaned at the feeling, making him stay still and hit that exact spot again, “You feel so good, baby.”

Y/N ran her hand through his hair as his hips picked up again, making her fall back into the pillow with a breathy moan. JJ kissed her breast when she arched her back up to him, whimpering like a mess under him. JJ’s moans were much louder then hers were, whimpering and giving her sudden moans when he’d trust into her.

“Feels so good, JJ.” she praised him with a kiss to the shoulder, “So good at this.”

JJ’s confidence was flying through the roof at her words, wrapping his arms around her as his hips pushed deep into her. Y/N hummed as he buried deeper in her, coming out against and continuing his pace. JJ met her eye suddenly, staring into Y/E/C, “Anyone else gonna make you feel this good?”

“Never.” Y/N shook her head, “No one else.”

“Good girl, tell me.” he encouraged her, cupping her face and giving her a open mouth kiss.

“No one else will ever make me feel this good.” she repeated as he squeezed his eyes shut and picked up his hips slightly.

“Where do you want me?” he asked, voice shaky, “I’m close.”

“Anywhere’s fine.” she nodded, rubbing his back, “It’s okay, JJ, you can cum.”

His words sent her over the edge as he pulled out and jerked himself off as he came all over her stomach. Loud moans and breathing, high pitch whimpers came from his mouth as he came. Y/N enjoyed the feeling all over her, staying still as he rode out his high, milking himself clean until he nearly collapsed. His hands dug into her hip bones to keep his steady, eyes squeezed shut. Y/N grabbed his wrist slightly and rubbed small circles.

JJ’s eyes snapped open and met her gaze quickly with wide eyes, “Jesus christ, Y/N, that was so good.”

“I know.” she agreed while he searched for his underwear, “Like, way better then what I was thinking.”

“Were you doubting me?” he asked her with a eyebrow raise.

“oh course not.” Y/N shook her head, “But I figured I wouldn’t like it because it was my first time.”

“But you did?” he asked with a smirk, pulling his underwear back on as his looked over at her.

“Loved it.” she said dramatically with wide eyes. JJ laughed, leaning over and peaking her on the lips. He grabbed a kleenex from her bed side, whipping her clean of his cum as she weakened under his hands.

“Me too.” JJ spoke as he cleaned her off, “I’m glad you asked me, Y/N. I didn’t want you to do it with a rando anyways.”

“Wanna do it again?” she asked, having him look her way alarming, “Not tonight, i mean. But another time. I have some stuff I wanna try and you know my body so well.”

JJ cracked a grin.

“But if this was just a one time thing, then I get it.” Y/N nodded, though she hoped it hadn’t been. JJ leaned down and cupped her face, bringing his lips down to kiss her tenderly and passionately.

He pulled back and kissed her nose, “We can do whatever you wanna do.”

She grinned, getting her shorts back on and moving over so he could get in with her. JJ watched her pull his shirt over her head and fall back onto the pillows, looking over. They made eye contact and laughed at the other, rolling on their sides to face each other.

“I can’t believe you let me finally fuck you.” he joked in disbelief.

“Same.” she said back, locking their legs and running a hand through his hair, “I’m so glad we did that.”

JJ moved in closer as she cuddled up into his neck. He rubbed her back gently as her hands roamed his shirtless body, “You wanna stay the night?”

“Yeah, of course.” JJ hummed and kiss her forehead softly, “So, what else do you wanna try?”

#jj maybank #jj maybank smut #jj maybank x reader #outer banks smut

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kookieswan · 2 years

Text

Nocturne of Waves - Interlude I

SeaCreature!Yoongi x Heiress!Reader (f)

Word Count: 727

Genre/Warnings: Slightly fluffy, Mentions of Yoongi’s last unintentional horny antics lmao.

Notes: Felt like writing about fish boy so here you all go lol ❤️

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“Why are there people in the box? How did they get so small, that cannot be healthy.” Yoongi stares fixedly at the box, eyes squinted in concentration. You raise a brow, realizing that he really doesn’t know a lot and you’ll probably have to explain most things to him. The merman had settled down on your couch after you helped him up, realizing that he was struggling slightly with his torn tentacles.

“They’re not actually in there. There’s a device called a camera that captures their image and then sends it out through this device, which is called a television or TV. It shows images in different sizes” A good enough explanation you think as you switch on the news. If you’re being honest, you don’t know the in depth answer either. The man nods along, eyes sill squinted as he cocks his head to the side.

“… I do not understand fully, but am thankful for your explanation human.” The barest of smiles graces his pale lips, and you can’t help but to smile quietly back. Yoongi shifts in his seat, tentacles slithering all over the couch to try and get comfortable as you stand idly by.

“You’re welcome Yoongi. I’m going to head out now so… Bye…” Turning, you don’t get far before a slim tentacle wraps around your ankle, holding you in place. It’s firm, but doesn’t thief in the slightest. There’s also a sound, almost like a… chirp? Yoongi doesn’t look bothered by this, like the actions are natural and maybe not something he can necessarily control.

“Wait please. I have two more questions before you go.” It’s almost endearing, but also confusing. He’s like a light switch, going back and forth between being kind and then closed off and then unintentionally horny. You can’t blame him, not really. He’s in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar person. Tapping your foot a bit, you give him the floor to talk.

“Alright… Question one is…?” He shifts in his seat, long inky hair hanging into his face slightly. You notice in passing that there’s some scarring on his chest, mostly around his pecs but also on his tummy. Just how many fights has he gotten into…? Probably people he tried to nibble on.

“I’d like to know more about your kind. Why are you so soft and squishy? Is that not bad when fighting for territory?”… Territory? You’re going to pretend he didn’t practically call you a blobfish. Sighing a bit, you lean against the couch, pinching the bridge of your nose in exasperation.

“I’m not sure. That’s just how humans have evolved, although there at whim and that have more or less body fat than me, and the same goes for muscle mass…” He nods along quietly, observing your body with a keen eye, hand coming out to squish your arm. He’s so weird… Almost human but not quite. The definition of uncanny valley perhaps… but not in a bad way.

“Your other question is…?” He bristles a bit, tentacles still slithering but almost slowing to a stop. You wait patiently as you twirl your necklace (Gucci, thanks Jimin) before he looks at you, something questionable glinting in his eyes.

“Are you coming back?” It sounds strangely sincere, like he’s actually worried that you won’t come. You give him a soft look for a second before letting out a laugh.

“As opposed to what, leaving you here to die since you can’t get your ass back down the beach? Yes I’ll come back, I own this house and I live here.” What an odd question from him. You’re not really sure where else you’d go, maybe to stay with Jimin for a bit. That would really only give Yoongi time to ruin your flooring even more though.

“I’m here, the scary ‘fish man’ with tentacles and sharp teeth. Do I not make you a little… Uncomfortable?” There isn’t worry in his tone now, no, it’s sly. Almost mocking. Tch, like you’d let the fish man get the best of you. Standing up fully, you lean over and flick him on the forehead, walking away as he attempts to snatch your hand, tentacle leaving your leg finally.

“If you made me uncomfortable, I’d kick your scaly ass out. Now, be good until I get home and I’ll give you some fishies to munch on.”

#nocturne of waves #nocturne of waves interlude I #yoongi x you #yoongi x reader #yoongi fluff #yoongi angst #mermaid yoongi #bts x reader #bts x you #bts fluff #bts angst #bts mermaid au

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husbandohunter · 3 years

Note

Your Stardew Impact has given me a serious brainrot and I couldn’t sleep on it so here

Imagine the boys getting Isekai to Stardew and meeting their (soon-to-be) s/o a.k.a the farmer who found them in the mines and dragged them out.

It’s basically the same as the original but the reader lives in Stardew universe from the beginning.

The Outlanders who trespassed the Stars [Stardew Valley + Genshin Impact]

Synopsis: You were a simple farmer who lived a simple life before crossing paths with these outlanders. A tale of greetings and farewells tells a story that loving someone was like looking at the stars in the sky; a sense of warmth amidst darkness, where the dots connect no matter what distance it was. But just like stars, they were meant to be unobtainable.

(Basically what happens if the boys get Isekai'd)

Genre: fluff, angst (faceapalm didn't mean to)

Characters: Childe, Xiao, Zhongli

(A/n): Hi anon, haha I didn't think the Stardew Impact series would be this enjoyable. Allow me to serve your brainrot. But just for future references there is a character limit! Also it long, a pro tip to use ctrl+F and type in the name :>

======================

~Childe's Story~

The day you met Childe was perhaps during the most fortunate yet unfortunate hour of your life.

Winter comes by, your fields were left dry, what else was there to do other than mining? You were aiming to build a new Barnhouse before summer comes, fishing only made average income thus you decided to take your pickaxe and hope to run into some diamonds, gold or even better: prismatic shards. However, expensive items could only be found in the deepest parts of the mountains, where dangerous monsters lurk by.

When peeking over the abandoned minecart you so carefully shielded yourself with, you began contemplating whether you've just dug yourself a grave instead. The whole area became infested, you weren't in the best condition and on top of all that, you were out of food.

You decided to make a run for it, with the treasures and goodies at hand, you couldn't give up. However, things only got worse when purple mist began taking over your vision, signaling a lava bat wave drawing nigh. It was thanks to your greed that you ended in such a predicament but it was also your greed that brought you to him.

"W-Woah!!"

You tripped with your toe pointing downwards into a pile of wooden crates. The bats swarmed in shortly after, daunting around the area above but you couldn't afford to look. Your face was down to the ground and you could only rely on your ears regarding their whereabouts. As if Yoba heard your prayers, the lava bats could not seem to find you, confusing them to think you've escaped. And so, they flew away.

"I'm never doing that again," The sudden impact was excruciating, you were sure that your lip bled due to biting too hard. At least the floor felt somewhat soft, cotton-like and warm enough to be comforting. Yet, for some reason it was also a little…bony?

"…Mn…."

Your body jerks up like a springboard when you felt something shifting. A man, no older than his twenties, no older than you, lays sprawled out under your form. He was beginning to stir and you panicked when a pair of blue cerulean eyes pointed into your seemingly shocked ones within the close parameter.

Too close.

The man gives a cheerfully wry chuckle, you could practically feel his breath almost, "Well this is quite unexpected, didn't think I'd end up in this position," he jests, soon his expression began to tighten into a grimace, "Mind getting off me though? With all due respect miss, you're a little-…heavy."

You scrambled to the side while still kneeling, "What the hell, who are you?!"

"Hm," The man didn't answer, instead he pushed himself upright and turned his attention to examine the surroundings, "Where are we?" He paused when he noticed how the ceiling was made of rocks, "Wait, is this a cave?"

"Ninety two floors deep and surrounded by monsters," you sighed in frustration while rubbing your head with your palm, "Seriously, whoever you are you shouldn't be here, especially if you're not even carrying the necessary supplies."

"Hey, I just got here. I'm just as confused as you," he puts his hands up in a defensive gesture, "But how strange," he mutters to himself, lowering his arms ever so slightly before pinching his chin in deep thought, "I swear it was the right portal…or maybe it was the other one? Hmmm, could it be the effect of the hidden seal?"

I have so many questions. You sweatdropped nervously. Here you were, hours spent to get to the deepest parts of the earth and looking like a cavewoman while his clothes were practically untouched, nor did they seem to be a recognizable fashion. You've seen many odd events within Stardew Valley but not to this extent, "Alright you know what, let's forget about it for now. We need to get out of here before those lava bats come back for us again. Otherwise we're toast," you gestured to the lava pool, "Literally."

He gave another one of his gleeful smiles, you wondered if he was afraid at all, "Sounds like a solid plan to me. Judging by the equipment you're wearing, you seem to have been here for a while. You know your way around?"

Figures that he doesn't know, you thought, "I'll lead."

"Glad we're on the same page. Though, we've only just met and yet you're still willing to help a stranger like me," he mentions in an off-handed manner, perhaps he wasn't used to generosity ever since being recruited as a harbinger, "But not that I'm complaining. You have my thanks, comrade."

"(Y/n)," you tell him, "That's my name. I'm a farmer that resides in this town."

"I see. A town it is then," he inquires, "Call me Childe, as where I'm from, not sure how to answer that anymore."

"What do you-"

But before you were able to question him further, a hoard of lava crabs were spotted crawling it's way towards where Childe sat. He shot you a confused look and turned to the direction, amusement sparks in his eyes,

"Lava crabs? You've got to be kidding me," your arms have already grown tired long ago, at this rate, you figured it may be best to pay a visit to Harvey's doctor office and check up for any muscle strains that have occured during the process. You most likely have considered how heavy your items felt now. Partaking in another battle would only make it worse.

"Ah an opponent, to think this place wouldn't have a set of new monsters to fight. I was growing tired of beating up hilichurls all the time."

His casual reaction caused you to scrunch up your nose in disbelief, "We're being ganged up on and your first response was that???"

Childe paid no mind, instead he propelled himself back to his feet using his trained reflexes and swaggered towards the crowd, "Relax girlie," Stopping just after a few steps, he turns his head ajar over his shoulder with a floppy smirk spreading his lips, "I've got this."

You held in your breath, wondering if you could trust this man. For now all you could do was sit back and hopefully regain some of your strength while observing by the stacks of crates that were abandoned years ago. The lava crabs formed a straight line in front of him, they were smart creatures, cornering their prey in a very well strategized form so that trespassing was out of the question. Childe wasn't intimidated in the slightest, he merely looked down at them with hooded eyes, flexing his fingers for preparation.

"Lava crab…in other words you're of the pyro element," the harbinger holds out his hand in front of him, trying to cultivate the shape of his bow, "A shame. This fight would end much shorter than I anticipated."

However, when he expected his element to manifest, nothing came out. Childe was left dumbfounded.

"Don't just stand there," you screeched, "Do something!!!"

"Wait," he halts you and tries to summon his bow again. Once, twice, as the crabs grew closer still there was nothing, "My powers…they're gone?!"

"Take this," left without a choice, you pushed yourself towards him and shoved Neptune's glaive into his grasp. He examines it with curiosity, but you knew this was also your own well-being you were entrusting him, "It's really easy to use, just-"

When a crab leapt forward, you ran back to create some manageable space for Childe to move in. He delivers a powerful slice using one arm, hitting the crab's weak spot while tossing it toward the side until a dent was formed in the wall. Your mouth parts, fast, he was fast, you didn't even have the time to blink. It was as if he knew the glaive more than you did. Though, the assumption wasn't that far from the truth. Childe was well adept with swordsmanship as he was an expert with many other melee weapons. Which is precisely the reason why he chose the bow as his main, a ranged device, the challenge to keep him on his toes. Just like he was now.

"He wasn't lying when he said he could fight," you watched in mesmerization, each single blow he delivered deemed equivalent to three hits on your part. Childe was both powerful and swift. He was formidable. The way he effortlessly deflected his opponents despite not having an enchantment ring made you forget how much of an idiot he was earlier before. Soon, the lava crabs began to lessen, leaving what remained of their dusted corpse while some retreated back into the depths of the cave.

"Not bad, it was kind of fun!" Childe laughs exasperatedly, glancing at his blue reflection upon the marred blade, "It's been a while since I last used a sword, and still haven't gone rusty either," he hands you the hilt, "Thanks for letting me use it by the way. You seriously got yourself a sick weapon."

"Keep using it for now, I think I'm a little too worn out to handle it," you say regretfully and pointed your nose towards the ceiling, "The mist hasn't disappeared so there's probably gonna be more monsters we'll encounter soon."

Childe looks up as well, "Huh I was wondering what that meant."

"By the way I've never seen anyone fight like that. Exactly what kind of place are you from?" You finally ask, "You somehow ended up in a cave, without anything to defend yourself with and it's not like you know your way out either. Are you...from another world?"

"Huh didn't think you'd draw that conclusion so quick," he comments jokingly, "Guess there's no reason to hide it anymore. Indeed I am from another world, at least, that's what I can tell so far. I've never encountered these types of monsters either."

You couldn't help but be taken aback by his honesty, "That was strangely easier than I thought...."

After escaping the cave, you introduced Childe to the wizard who lived in Cindersap forest, M. Rasmodius. He was extremely intrigued by the concept of an outlander and seemed happy to be of assistance. Since helping others was the culture of Pelican Town, you commissioned Robin to build a small cabin for him to live in temporarily. In return, Childe must accompany you back to the caves and make up for your losses. It was a mutual benefit since he had the opportunity to fight as well.

Childe befriended the townsfolk rather easily. On friday nights where everyone goes to the Saloon to enjoy their time, he would be found in the other room playing pool with the gang (Sam, Abigail and Sebastian)-- you as well when he managed to drag you along with him.

Crashes at your place when you were busy with the farm. You can bet that he would pop up suddenly midday through your window, “Can you use the door like a normal person???” But despite how much you get irritated by this habit, all bygones are bygones the moment he starts a conversation.

He sticks around as you carry your hay batches, sharing his stories. How the organization he worked in was a powerful militaristic force that had authority over many countries. But you didn't see him as a brute since he only joined for the sake of his parents, for the sake of his siblings and their dreams.

You thought of your grandfather who also once told you to pursue your dreams: live a peaceful life away from urban society. However, as long as the harbinger was with you, there wasn't much option for 'peace'.

"Tell me again why you dragged me out here? You know thatI still have a lot of work to finish back in the farm," you trekked your feet through the thick icy sheets with one hand clutching the zipper near your collarbone. It was incredibly windy in Cindersap forest and Childe happened to have convinced you to leave the comfort of your home for 'a surprise favour'. He purposely made a vague statement to draw in your curiosity but if you had refused-- well, that would have led to constant nagging on his part.

"You'll see," is what he said, it was what he told you through this whole ordeal. He lifted his chin to feel the frosty air against his face, "There's this one activity I wanted to try out. Back in Snezhnaya, I used to bring my brother to go skating out on the lakes. It's deadly freezing there so the ice is pretty thick to work on. Haven't done any of that since I joined the Fatui."

You shot him a deadpan glare, "That's why you brought me out here? Why didn't you just go by yourself?"

"Now that's cold (Y/n),” you rolled your eyes at the pun, “Can't you loosen up instead of throwing yourself in a pile of work all day?"

"It's not that I don't want to...I'm just very busy with the farm since it's the last day of the month. At least I want to do as much as I can before Spring comes."

"Haha you're right but you only live once y'know?" Childe noted happily despite your protest, "And like I said before, seize the opportunity when you see it. You never know when it will be your last."

You cocked your head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"Now let's get started shall we?" As you both reach the edge of the frozen lake, Childe takes a step forward ahead of you, "Have you ever gone ice skating before?"

"Yeah but..." You glanced at the glassy surface with skepticism, suddenly struck by hesitance. The thought of drowning made you retreat your steps right away, "I don't know Childe, it doesn't seem that safe."

"That's true if you're not careful enough," he pointed out, "Luckily you have me to help you with that."

"How does that work?"

He placed one foot onto the hardened lake and parts his mouth into a grin, "Watch."

In contrast to your cautious personality, Childe was considered to be more of a wildcard if anything. He loved adventure, just like you except his side often included bloodshed and the thrill that danger carries. You weren't sure if it was worth putting up with his antics or entertaining his idea of skating on thin ice, but you complied regardless. He had a way of delivering his words through that cheery voice you couldn't deny.

Prior to meeting him, life was boring. The corporate world was boring. You moved into your grandfather's farm in order to search for some form of fulfillment that Zuzu city couldn't give and you thought you did now that you had your very own farm, but slowly you began to pile more responsibilities than you could even count.

Everything you did, you did alone.

If it weren't for Childe, you wouldn't have learned the art of surfing on ocean waters. You never would have known the taste of mixing three different ice-cream flavours together despite what strange names they all had. Or what it felt like to mingle with the townspeople rather than mingling for the sake of business. Suddenly, everything became...fun.

Childe wanted to go far and wide. He was always running, so far ahead, somewhere beyond the stars as he could conquer the world to the point you might no longer reach him.

No longer reach him, huh. Curling your fingers into your palm, you renewed your courage and took a step onto the ice.

At the sound of boots tapping behind him, Childe spins around to see you wobble in your stance, nearly tipping over. He slid across to where you were and grasped your arm before you fell.

"Gotcha."

"Thanks," You sighed in relief, "Jeez, this is harder than I thought."

"Guess this is your first time then," he commented with a bit of jest, "Don't stress yourself over it too much, you'll be okay. I got you."

He carefully led you to the center, staying close in case you were to fall sideways again. You awkwardly tried to keep your legs straight, balancing on your own yet the fact that there was still water underneath struck fear into your nerve. It caused you to tremble and eventually skittered backwards.

"Haha ice skating isn't your forte isn't it?"

"I'm just getting started!"

He takes your hand in his before you could even protest, it was one of his many aspects that you found endearing-- the fact his impulse stems from genuine intentions, feelings, not giving them a second thought. The two of you glide using the soles of your shoes, he speeds up ever so slightly and the adrenaline begins to increase until there comes a rush of excitement, freedom. The stress you once had already forgotten once taking flight upon the ice.

"Look Childe! I'm actually doing it!" You couldn't help mentioning with a bit of youthful playfulness in your voice, "It's so smooth and fast! Almost like I'm flying!"

He smiles quietly from a distance, “See? I told you that you'll be fine.”

It was clear to many that the two of you were much closer than what meets the eye.

Childe began to notice the change in your aura. You were happier and much more soulful. Before you were always on the edge, cautious in contrast to his sanguine approach, he couldn't help but be caught off guard whenever you teased him. Or the sudden honesty that causes him to be flustered. By your side, he was no longer a Fatui Harbinger rather more of a puppy, adorable almost.

But when he saw that the reason you changed was because of him, it brought fear into his bones. Why? How did things get to this point? You were lost in a wonderland, ignorant to the blossom that had sprung inside of your chest.

Maybe it was better to be ignorant. Just live in the moment while it can still last.

"You're leaving?"

Standing at the gateway between the mountain cliffside and the starry sky, you call out to the man you've known in a way that carries more than what words could say. Because he left a mark in your years that could never be erased and here he was, trying to erase his existence completely.

Childe lets out a bitter chuckle, he didn't dare to face you, "I didn't expect you to catch up so quickly. You're quick-witted, comrade."

"It's (Y/n)," you corrected, trying to steady your voice so that he couldn't tell the expression you were making, "Why didn't you say anything? What makes you think that I'll just stay silent and let you go on your own way? This isn't a joke Childe! Don't act as if none of it matters to you because it sure as hell did to me."

His lips that held his usual smirk flattens into a straight line, "Even if I did, would it make a difference?"

The world stills. You knew the answer, he knew the answer, you just refused to admit it. One by one, the stars begin to collect themselves until a bridge was formed in front of him, on another day he would be enjoying the scenery alongside you. But today they would be for you alone to witness. The man who you spent your time with had slowly, regretfully, inevitably became a stranger. He was right. It wouldn't make a difference. You were already aware since the day you met him that he belonged to another world and you willingly offered to help him find a way home.

"You know, you could come with me."

Your eyes jolt open. His voice was so free of care. As if he was commenting on something so minor on a casual Sunday afternoon while accompanying you to the beach. But when you came face to face with the harbinger, his expression lackluster, you knew that he meant every word.

"Just you and me, we can travel across the world to our heart's content. I always thought you were an adventurer just like me and you know what, the farm life just doesn't suit you," Childe slowly extends his hand as an offer, for you it was a temptation, "So what do you think? Care to join me?

Your lip quivers. What he said sounded like a sweet dream that you so desperately wanted to take a bite out of. But even so, you thought about the townsfolk, your farm, your grandfather. Their images flashed in as if holding you back, chaining you to the ground, "I can't."

The answer pained you more than it did to him.

"Figures, this is your home after all," he huffs out, " Now do you understand? I can't leave my home either. If I did, heh, I think my siblings would despise me until the very end and I just don't want that. So no hard feelings, okay?"

You didn't reply.

"Don't worry. I won't pressure you if you don't want to," Childe turns back to the bridge, it was almost time, "Do what you have to do (Y/n), hate me if it makes you feel any better. You can even forget about me," he paused, renewing his resolve, "But I know I won't."

"Childe-"

You ran to grab his scarf only to have it ghost through your hands. He was relieved that he couldn't hear your voice, as he returned to Teyvat, Childe wonders what kind of expression did you have before he left? He'll never know.

---

~Xiao's Story~

The day you met Xiao...well, you weren't in the best of the best positions.

This was probably your sixth attempt trying to make it through all levels of the cave and reach the last floor. The quest had been sitting in your drawer for months.

Of course you didn't expect things to be easy, the fortune teller channel you watched every morning had yet to inform you with any good fortune and you would often bump into obstacles that would halt your progress.

But to be fair, sometimes the colourful ore would attract your attention and before you knew it, it was time to go.

So close yet so far. You dragged your feet tiredly against the ground. What time was it? Who knows. Judging by your state, you assumed it had already struck past 12 a.m.

However, today luck seems to have taken pity on you, just...slightly.

You puffed air into your cupped hands for the nth time, huddling deeper into the touch of your coat while trudging into the cave's cold climate. A little longer, any time soon, you kept telling yourself over and over but as if time was frozen, the wait felt like an eternity. Ah how much you wish to be in the comfort of your soft, fluffy bed right now. Though, merely visualizing the image only reminded how achingly freezing it was so you decided it was best to spare yourself from the details.

"I can't do this anymore..." leaning your head against the ice covered cavern, you whimpered, "I should have stayed home."

As you were about to shut your eyelids, something flashed by your peripheral vision. You darted towards the direction it came from, the light was a bright green hue against blue, could it be, "Warmth!"

It seems you jumped to conclusions too quickly. With impatience, you swung around the corner, expecting to find a heat source, only to meet something much more horrifying.

"KYAH!"

They stared straight into your eyes, those demonic eyes tainted by black and fangs that stuck out of the mouth like tusks on an elephant.

However, when the light evaporated you were able to have a better sense of sight, slowly revealing the monster's true form and the body of a human boy. He fell onto his back with a thud and you used this chance to calm yourself from the frightful encounter.

"He's...unconscious?"

You meekly crawled to where he lay and examined closely. Aside from the mask, there were various distinct features that stood out in his attire, his tattoo being one of them, imprinted in what looked like an eagle. You then realized how unsuitable his clothes were in this current situation. At least there were no injuries so far. But was that a good thing? This man practically came out of thin air as if some sorcery had been committed. Witches never left a good impression ever since they cursed your chicken coop. You were hesitant whether to help a stranger who could potentially be one of them or a creation they cultivated. What other explanation could there be?

"I can't leave him here, it's too cold."

Your gaze suddenly falls upon his covered face. The design, although intimidating at first, upon closer look was very alluring in it’s own way. You haven't stumbled upon anything like what the merchants had to offer in Pelican Town and the mask almost looked too foreign. Was he from the east? Curiosity eventually takes over and you gingerly reach for the mask, sliding it off his face.

"Eh...?" You gasp, taken aback by his striking appearance. A part of it made you feel this was no ordinary boy but that didn't mean he should be abandoned in this environment. It would be immoral to let him die in a place like this.

Before you could even make a noise, his eyes bursted awake, grabbing your wrist in a harsh grip. He used his other hand to push against your shoulder until you were instantly pinned on your back with no opening to escape. You choked a sharp sound as you stared with wide eyes. The man was akin to a beast, he had the expression to match it, like the glaring sharp gaze of wolves that roam at the mountain cliffside near Zuzu city and the ferocity of the demonic mask he once wore. You were breath taken but in a more fearful way as he continued to grip onto you tighter with the possible intent to harm.

"Speak!” He demanded, “What have you done to my powers and where have you brought me?"

In Xiao’s case, he was thrown into another world under the circumstances of fighting against one of Liyue’s unknown beasts. He was on high alert, thinking the fight was still ongoing.

You may look human but you could still be a threat. Xiao is the type to act upon instinct in the moment when something feels out of place. Like the spear he wields, he was trained to behave like one: to strike, strike down his foes without hesitation. Don't leave an opening for them to take the advantage. Xiao is a weapon and violence was what he knew best. He couldn't afford to lower his guard even for a minute.

You could say he left a pretty strong first impression to the point you were paralyzed. As he looked at your face, petrified and tense, he wavered and began to reevaluate things. Large doe-like eyes stare into his feline ones. They didn't seem to hold any sort of malice, was it possible for you to be the one who cursed him?

"Eeeeeek! I-I have no idea what you're talking about, let me go let me go!" you cried, "Please don't hurt me!"

Perhaps he shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.

Xiao feels your struggle and eventually gets off to give you some space. Your reaction was understandable, he was used to it anyways. Xiao scoffed to himself, why are mortals so weak? Their strength, if compared to the adepti, was separated by a large gap (Like it always should be). Xiao kept his gaze averted to the side as you rubbed your wrist, focusing his attention elsewhere. He glanced at the vastness of the cave in front of him.

Why was he sent here? For what reason did it serve? Ever since he sealed the contract with Rex Lapis, the guardian Yaksha had never entertained the thought of leaving his country nor did he act upon it; he was far too loyal to his god to do so. But here he was, against his own will yet free from his karmic binds, stripped of his divine powers in the return of endless questions about this new found mortal-like form.

What should I do now?

Choosing not to dwell in any longer, Xiao rises to his feet and proceeds to walk the other way.

"Ah u-uhm sir, where are you going?"

If the universe wanted to test him then he'll find his own answers.

"Wait! Please wait up!"

"Tch."

Although he intended to keep going, Xiao heard you running to his direction and slowed to a halt, some mortals surely do not know their boundaries, "Hmph there's nothing timid about you. Leave me be," he demands without turning around, "Don't forget what I'm capable of."

Stay away.

"I-I know that," you retaliate weakly. Just by hearing his tone made you want to melt away and become one with the ice. He was a scary man indeed, the same one who attacked you earlier. But even so, "That doesn't mean I want you dead! If you go that way, you might freeze to death. Aren't you cold? You don't even have a coat on."

"..." Upon the mention of his predicament, his senses started to kick in. As a yaksha, Xiao wasn't able to be affected by temperature but now he felt his hands beginning to sting, trembling from it’s impact. Ah, so this is what it feels like to be cold. Still Xiao was stubborn and continued to push you away, "What happens to me has nothing to do with you. Now leave, or else."

"I-I can't do that!"

Xiao clicks his tongue in frustration. How annoying. This is why he dislikes meddling with meddlesome humans. But quite frankly, he wasn't sure how to handle your type of forwardness since most tend to back away. And so, Xiao does what he usually does, he ignores you and continues walking, eventually you'll give up on him anyway. However he hears a loud thump and whips around to see your body laying in the snow. The hours of travelling in the cave have seemed to caught up that you inevitably collapsed from exhaustion.

Knitting his evergreen brows together, Xiao lets out an irritable sigh.

...

You wake up to find the sky above your head and your coat draped over your shoulders like a blanket. Dawn was slowly rising above the distance valley, you figured it was around 4a.m in the morning. Rubbing your eyes, you eventually noticed a figure sitting across, admiring the sunrise.

"Ah it's you!"

Xiao jolts ever so slightly, peeking over his bare shoulders until you could see the sun's light casted against his golden irises. Did he stay here while you were asleep? Then, that would also mean he was also the one who carried you all the way up from sixty floors below.

“You're awake,” he noted flatly, “If that's the case, then I have no reason to stay here."

Of course, that wouldn't be the last time you saw him.

You were a tenacious human being, always so insistent in dragging him away from his lonesome personality. He resides in the forest and camps there for the time being (similar to Linus since they’re both homeless lol). But you’d always run in, DAILY and sometimes for the most stupid and mundane reasons. It could either be giving him the snacks you snatched off the table since Xiao refused to participate in parties, or fancy seashells you found on the beach. You didn’t want him to miss out on all those things of course! Although he responds with irritation, it was as if his words went through your ear and then out the other. His efforts were futile (however, he was slowly warming up without realizing).

He learns how easily his body reacts in the presence of food purely because he was hungry. You bring an extra set of blankets and pillows to his campsite when the ones you gave him wore out (he didn’t ask by the way). Xiao needed help whether he liked it or not since he no longer has his powers, hence he couldn't run away. He somehow ends up moving in to live on the small islands near your farm.

Xiao doesn't understand humans very much. Just as he was unable to understand how human emotions work. He was the almighty yaksha, Adeptus Xiao and a formidable beast that killed thousands in thousands of years, at least that's what he used to be. Even now he still has yet to figure out what he was or who he was exactly without a weapon to define his existence. He was made for battle but nowadays, he found himself watering plants, chopping down trees and throwing seeds to the chickens living in your coop. How did everything escalate to this? It baffles him, how much his life changed so drastically.

Haha, you’re Xiao of course! The greatest farming assistant I could ever have.

But above all else, the one thing Xiao couldn't understand among those universal questions, is you.

"Why are you doing all this?" Finally he asked. The urging thought had been persisting at the back of his mind ever since.

You stopped on your tracks and turned to look at him, tilting your head with a complexion made curious, "What do you mean? Ah, did I do something to bother you?"

"I didn't say that," Xiao interrupts abruptly, he folded his arms across his chest and shot you a deep contemplating gaze, " You're...incomprehensible. All I did was drag you out of that cave yet why are you so kind to me? Don't you think you're extending yourself too much just because of one little deed?"

Because to him, saving a life was the norm. He does it unconditionally just like you helped him with those same intentions. Except, Xiao had been pursuing corrupted souls behind the scenes all this time and expected nothing in return. Experiencing someone's gratitude was rather new.

You shook your head, "It wasn't small to me," a satisfactory smile melting onto your face, "I'm here at this very moment, feeling the wind against my skin and smelling the scent that nature carries, these are just the few things I cherish. It's thanks to you that I can still watch over grandpa's farm, that's why I don't feel like I'm overextending myself in any way," suddenly you beam at him, "At first I thought you were a scary person. Haha. Time flies so fast, it's amazing how much can happen in between."

"Hn, you're a simpleton. But that's not a bad thing..." he points out curtly yet softly, "Do as you wish, I won't stop you so feel free to call my name whenever you need my help. I'll be there."

Xiao also finds you to be very clumsy. He couldn't leave your side even for a minute. But that was a lie. He just grew very attached to you.

When you tell him that you've been going into the mines for a quest, he tells you that you're far from capable. So he teaches you how to wield a weapon properly. Xiao was a strict teacher and he intends to keep it that way, he wouldn’t even allow you to set foot in the mines until he finds you capable enough.

You were a meek yet optimistic person, yet you were also strong-willed.

For a place that wasn't his home, he felt it was. And he found that it was all in your presence. Those peaceful hours hiding inside the barn while a storm rages outside, you sit beside him while hugging a sheep close to your chest. Xiao learns how to feed some of them, he even brings seeds for your hen house too. If you were ever short on materials, Xiao would travel to the enchanted forest behind the wizard's tower and get them for you, no matter how late it was. Though if you went by yourself, he'd deliberately go with you despite your protest.

The minute Xiao realized how much he was attached to you, it was devastating. As if the claws of his karmic debt had come back, pulling him into the shadows once more. He was an adeptus with a contract and bound by his duty, he must choose between his god who saved him from a nightmare and you, the girl he fell for, showed him that the world was indeed a beautiful place, he was stuck in an equilibrium and he felt that the binds may even tear him apart if he kept resisting.

But when did he ever have a choice?

"Where are you going Xiao?"

When he heard your voice calling his name, the yaksha willingly pulled himself to a halt. His sunset eyes narrowing from guilt before it shuts with a trembling sigh out of his mouth. Why is it that you always appear during the moments where he desperately needs to get away from you? He planned to sneak out the door, making sure his footsteps were unheard while you slept. And by the time you woke up, he didn't have to face you, he wouldn't have to say goodbye. He won't. Even if what he was currently doing said otherwise. He will never hear himself say those words.

"Xiao?"

Yet, he cannot refuse you. Not now, not ever. You were breathtaken to see a type of expression that you never thought was possible for him to make. The creases that once formed between his slender brows, the heaviness he always carried in his expression was replaced by a sense of sentimentality. Before you could register what was happening, Xiao took his step towards the porch of your house, not once did he tear away from your attention. He slides his hand beneath your jaw and affectionately against your cheek, the fondness evident in his gaze that you almost felt imprisoned by it.

"You never fail to appear in the most inconvenient of times," He gives a weak smile, a smile that makes your heart swell. Despite how much you could drown in his honesty, you couldn’t help but feel there was something wrong, “No matter how many times I’ve tried to push you away.”

You don't know him. You don't know his history and what things he committed in the past. But as if you've known this whole time, Xiao couldn't picture you leaving him for those reasons.

“You’re gentle but you don’t let others put you down. You’re kind but you don’t allow it to be your weakness. I sometimes wonder how it is possible for anyone to be so forgiving?”

"I-I don’t understand why you’re this Xiao. Is something happening?”

He won’t tell you. He doesn’t see the reason why you need to know.

You wince when something poked the side of your neck and you realized it was a tranquilizer. You looked at Xiao with dismay, his face becoming hazier until your vision darkened and could no longer hold your own weight. Xiao caught you around the waist with one arm as you fell unconscious.

"How can you be so stupid...?"

But he speaks as if those words were meant for him.

Pulling your body closer to him, Xiao chains you down into a desperate embrace. A silent scream of desperation. His forehead pressed against the bent of your shoulder and the other arm rested his hand at the center of your back. He will relish in the shape of your body, memorizing every curve both perfections and flaws. The way you fit into his arms and the pleasant smell of nature that you taught him to love, this was the only remnant he was allowed to take. Every detail, he will remember it as if clinging to the last moments of his whole world.

If he was allowed to have a desire, let him meet you again. He prayed to a god, any god-- even if it meant damaging his oath, he will accept his punishment. He prayed to each star in the sky and if he must he'll pray to the devil himself, whatever it is, he will do it for you.

As he painfully lets go, Xiao lets his hand slide off your body until the last thing he felt was the very tips of your fingers. He settles you down gently into your bed. You belong here in this peaceful world, not the one riddled with monsters.

---

~Zhongli's Story~

The Skull Cavern was considered to be the most dangerous mine of Stardew Valley. It wasn't your intention to run into any trouble, all you wanted was to test your cool new galaxy sword on some easy monsters and then be on your merry way. At first.

Just one more floor. You say, before catching an arm sticking out a pile of rocks.

"I-Is that a person?!!!"

You dug as fast as you could, any time soon the mummies would wake up and start attacking. Quick quick! Moving the last rock, you saw the face of a young man, he was asleep but alive! and undeniably attractive oh wow *lip bite*. But despite your attempts of shaking him awake, it was fruitless and the monsters weren't waiting.

Taking out two warp totems, you raised it to the ceiling and chanted a teleportation spell.

It wasn't everyday that you brought a man to your house.

But when you did, he wouldn't be from a cave, six floors down and buried in a place filled with monsters.

"And this small black device you say is some form of communicator? That certainly is intriguing, never in my years have I heard of something so advanced."

However you were beginning to think otherwise. That this man would have been from the prehistoric ages who you managed to unbury after his thousand year slumber. Zhongli sits on the couch across from you while examining your smartphone, a term he claimed had been completely foreign. You were contemplating whether you should bother Harvey despite being past his work hour and book an emergency appointment to see if this man had a special case of amnesia.

You brushed the idea away. There was so much going on and nothing made sense, for now, you decided to settle this on your own.

"Uhm Zhongli is it?" you asked nervously, "Maybe you can try giving the name of a relative or someone you know. I can use the phonebook to see if I can find their number."

“Number?” He parroted.

You blinked a few times, making sure if you heard him correctly, “Yes, number. You know? To communicate?”

"I appreciate your kind gesture," Zhongli acknowledges in a polite manner, "But that won't be necessary. This device doesn’t seem to be at a level where it can communicate with the people from my homeland."

If he was travelling then how the hell did he end up in THE Skull Cavern is what I wanna know!

“T-Then if you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"

Zhongli takes this moment to think of an answer, aware that if he blurted something out it would not have translated in the way he wanted. But you so kindly invited him to your humble household that he felt it would only be proper to owe you an explanation, "I suppose a land from afar."

You sweatdropped, "Suppose?"

"Yes. Although I won't spare you the details since this is not your burden to bear, it’s quite difficult for me to try and remember exactly what happened," Zhongli took his chin into his hand, fingers almost covering his mouth, "Perhaps I would need search for clues in order to refresh my memory."

Oh no he really does have amnesia!!

"A-Actually why don't I just call the local doctor, I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you a hand," you say while taking your iPhone.

"A doctor? There's no need," dismissed Zhongli, "My condition is only a minor one and I do not think I'm in a position to afford medical assistance. Besides, you have done more than enough. May you find great fortune in your years Miss (Y/n), I shall be on my way."

He pushes himself up from the couch and you watch him cross towards the door. But just when he was about to reach the space of your carpet, Zhongli pulled to an abrupt stop.

"Ah yes,” He began as if remembering something, “ Do you happen to know where the nearest Inn is located? I would need to find a place to shelter for the time being."

"..."

This was how the former god ended up being your roommate. Like Xiao, Zhongli also takes upon a human form. He needed to eat, drink and a place to sleep. He insisted that he would take the couch as well as help you with any tasks that needed to be completed during the day.

You question if Zhongli was even aware of what situation he was currently in. Answer: HE WASN'T because Zhongli is an extremely dense man. To feel embarrassed was not part of his dictionary when living with a woman.

The type to take long showers. You always find the bathroom steaming because he doesn't turn on the fan to get rid of it (but maybe you should've taught him). So when it was your turn to use the shower, the water was either lukewarm or worst case scenario, cold.

Also he somehow finds your old kettle (that your grandfather used) to brew tea even though you told him you already had a water boiler. He stated that he liked doing things the old-fashioned way, it brings him a sense of nostalgia. You couldn't understand what he meant (unless you considered that he was older than he seemed....no that can’t be it!)

Despite it all, Zhongli was incredibly polite and considerate. Tending the farm was not an easy job and you often came home with sore muscles, fatigued from running so many errands. He's knowledgeable in terms of making the best herbal mix for a soothing remedy.

You would see a warm cup, every morning before going to work and every time you come home, it was sitting on the kitchen table (if his drink had potion effects, they would be regeneration).

Gentle he was but it wasn't good for your heart.

Ever since Zhongli moved in, it became difficult to live in your own house.

There were many situations where he caused trouble despite not intending to cause disruption to your daily routine. And when he did, the repairs came out of your own pocket. One time you opened your microwave to find thick ash and burnt cinders stuck upon the walls.The entire space was a hazard and needed to be dispensed immediately since Zhongli thought that plastic-wrapped items were allowed to be microwaved. Another incident, as bizarre as it sounded, was when your vacuum cleaner zoomed out of your house...and never came back. You remembered the awkward cough he gave when you shot him a deathly glare, hence why Zhongli was not allowed to touch your high-tech devices (if you considered them high-tech) without your permission.

Even so, you couldn’t bring yourself to hate him. It was the opposite in fact. One day, all the flaws you counted suddenly became his charms. You came to find them endearing almost.

Zhongli was a handsome man. He carried himself with a distinct aura that could only be found in the rarest geodes; revealing orestones mined from the depths of a forgotten cave, sometimes in the shape of exquisite artifacts-- a type of ancient charm. Perhaps that was why people were willing to obey his every command without hesitation. Whenever Zhongli spoke, it was full of firmness and authority yet somehow deprived of arrogance. He was polite to all and does not indulge in conflict despite how tempting gossip can be in modern society. Always patient during your temperamental moments and considerate to the point you wonder if he even had any desires. He was so kind that soon enough, you couldn't help but be flustered by his presence. Forget about having a conversation, maintaining his leveled gaze was already enough of a challenge. Like staring into the sun after the morning dew. So gentle and so very comforting. But the more you linger onto the sun, it's rays will continue to set ablaze, eventually bringing you pain.

And you feared that you have grown addicted to those feelings.

Why can't he understand?

Stopping at the center of the bridge, you kept your head low while letting the anger take form into your tightened fists. The town was empty with only the sound of water flowing beneath your feet, filling the heavy air. They rippled and swayed, peaceful amongst your inner turmoil. The fact that such a miniscule attribute was able to make your blood rise was hilariously pitiful. How did you stoop to a point that even nature, the very being you've tended for a living, could bring you bitterness? Were your feelings this uncontrollable? The answer was obvious. It spiraled, violently and mercilessly as if commanded by another. There was a wave of emotions filling your heart and you could almost feel yourself drowning from the inside. If only they were as tranquil as the ones you stood upon.

"I thought I would find you here."

The voice you dreaded calls from across and you fight to keep yourself from gasping. Oblivious to it all, Zhongli proceeds to close the distance until he towered over you, looking down to your bowed head, "When you hadn't returned home without a notice, I was getting worried if something had happened. But I'm glad that wasn't the case."

Your whole face clenches.

"Is something bothering you? If you would like, we can discuss it after eating dinner. Come, I have already prepared our meal while you were gone as well as turning off the rice cooker once finished. I hope it can ease your stress since I know it can be difficult maintaining a farm like this."

"Zhongli."

He blinks hard when the sound of his name falls out of your lips. Zhongli was an experienced observer and listener, he was able to catch the glimpse of frustration that dripped from the tone you used. Relaxing his poised shoulders, Zhongli carefully asked in a reserved manner, "Have I...done something to make you upset?"

A trembled breath escaped when you breathed out. Dense. He was so dense that sometimes it made you want to crack him open.

"Tell me..." you began, "Are you also like this with other women?"

The former god sets a brief sharp pause, "I beg your pardon?"

"I'm talking about the way you act, they're...giving me all these mixed signals. We've been living together for months, we even share meals together! And sometimes you would help me with the farm and when I didn't ask, you still insisted on tending to my needs when I felt sick. I just…” you trailed off, trembling ever so slightly, "It's all perfectly normal. You’re nice to everyone. I know that. I know that!"

"(Y/n)," Zhongli whispered. They sounded like a thousand needles to your heart.

"I doubt you have the intention to put me in this situation. You're a really great person Zhongli but I sometimes can't help feeling this isn't just some roommate thing you know?" closing your eyes, you thought of your past relationships, how they started and ended, "Do any of your actions mean anything to you? Do you know how it makes me feel? Or am I just overthinking this, that it was all one-sided this whole time?"

Alas the truth spills and the air stills, bringing the waves to a halt. Peace, tranquility, nothingness. That was all you wanted. That was all you heard. It was deafening.

"I see, so that's why," Zhongli mutters to himself with eyes narrowed, "There's...something I need to confess."

After several months, he tells you everything. How his memories returned, some of them were already intact. He told you about his homeland and his true identity, that he was a god that once ruled over Liyue for six centuries before giving away the gnosis.

The reason why he hadn't said anything until now was because there will be a day where Zhongli must depart and return to Teyvat. He was a god with a contract, the circumstance didn't matter, he must stay with it until the very end of time.

Through his years, Zhongli learned to cherish his finite moments. He didn't want to taint them with troubles to come. Thinking too far ahead into the future would only bring strain.

But what he didn't tell you was his true feelings. You were a sweet woman, tender and enthusiastic about agriculture, the way your feelings extend to the earth with grace whereas many others chose to trample over without hesitation, he fell deeply in love with that side of yours. You taught him many things and showed him many sides of humanity that he had never seen before. He even discovered an aspect of himself. Like breaking a geode, revealing the beauties held inside.

Zhongli couldn't look you in the eye when your expression was covered in disbelief. He thought he hid his feelings well but it seemed that he was expressing his love in subtle and subconscious ways that eventually drove you to fall for him as well. You didn't stop him when he left the bridge. He wasn't even in your house. He chose this, he chose to set you free from his heavy presence.

And as the weight started to lift from your shoulder, you sank to your knees and wept. It was cruel of him. To give you these emotions yet he could not bring himself to stay by your side. But your heart would not allow you to hate the man you love.

Things couldn't end this way. You had to say goodbye to him, see him one last time because if you didn't, these burdens will haunt you forever.

When Zhongli looked up to the sky he saw his ending drawing near.

Three days had passed since he last spoke with you and he had no plans in seeing you again. Soon, the former god will return to his rightful place. Even though he had already given his gnosis to the Cryo Archon as Liyue already began to enter a new era, it seems that his decisions weren't his to make as he was born in a world where stars ruled above the archons. Fate-- they won't allow it. He does not belong here. If there was one thing Zhongli regretted during his time in your world, it was that he couldn't leave you a good memory before taking his departure. The sight of your large glassy eyes and quivering lips when he crushed you with the truth, he sincerely believed that they would haunt him much more than it probably did to you. But perhaps things would be easier if you despised him. Because if he had stayed and you came to forgive him, he would no longer have the strength to let go.

Despite it all love was indeed a selfish creature. He couldn't help but feel resentment towards the stars for bringing you into his life in such a mockingly sweet manner. They tied him with a contract, made him vow to his own beliefs and tested them by using you-- a bystander struck between the crossfire, eventually bringing you down into the depths of his battlefield and he thought that maybe...maybe there was hope that he could bring you with him as well.

How disgraceful for a god to let the devil tempt him so.

Zhongli was thankful that you weren't beside him. Otherwise he would dance with the ugly hope of a slim chance for you to come along. This was the best choice. It was for his-- your own good.

"Zhongli!"

The arch of his lined eyes shot upwards. As if fate had decided to give him one final test, he felt your small figure crash into him from behind and your arms coming to hug around his waist, tightly and fearfully that he felt like you would be the one who would slip away instead.

"I...I made it time," you panted, burying your nose into his clothed back, "I’m so glad...I'm so glad you're still here…!"

Your cry of relief was a thunder to his ears, a reminder that he was the main cause. Zhongli, casted by solemn smile, lifts his hand to cover over yours and grasped onto them, I'm here, he wishes to say. Yet he knew they were only temporary promises, "To come all this way despite everything that has happened. You foolish girl..."

"It's your fault Zhongli, I'm a fool because I love you! It's all your fault that I have to say goodbye," You grit your teeth as the tears fell down your face until it blended into his clothes, "Take me with you. Please. Don't leave me all alone…!"

The words he wanted to say melted into a silent gasp through parted lips. Zhongli merely clenched them back together and his hand on your hand, even tighter. He won't lie to you. At the very least, let his actions speak for him where he himself could not.

Take me with you.

Don't leave me alone.

Goodbye.

If it is fated Morax...we will meet again.

"I see," letting his thoughts echo in his mind from the distant memories, the former god begins to take a new perspective upon his wisdom, "For many years, I have experienced countless farewells from the people I've come to known," Zhongli reminisced, tilting his head back with his golden eyes against night, as if searching for some sort of answer, "And yet I never thought what it must have felt like being in their position."

"Zhongli…" you trailed off, "Then don't! I may not know everything about you but it doesn't have to be this way. At least, just answer me this, will I ever see you again?"

"I'm sorry (Y/n)," he apologized and you knew the answer. He gently pries your arms off him, turning around so he could swipe the corner of your eyes dry. There was a glowing reverence in his countenance, one that he reserved for you and only you, it was the only way for him to express the feelings that run deep in his heart, "I cannot thank you enough for coming into my life. If there will be a day when I erode from your memories, I truly hope that you will find someone more suitable than I."

"That's ridiculous," defiantly, refusedly, you protest, "No one can replace you."

Zhongli laughs sadly as the white halo outlines his whole figure, signaling that there wasn't much time left. He wonders if there was anything he could do in his last moments, a small token, something, it could even be as small as a single star in the sky, "If it is fated...we will meet again."

You watch him turn transparent until he slipped from your grasp. No longer was the man, only the dust being one with the sky. They shone brilliantly but you were left in the darkness.

487 notes · View notes

whump-a-la-mode · 3 years

Note

Hi! First of all, your writing is ASTOUNDING. I adore how you characterize. Secondly, I have a prompt idea:

A Villain who is falling in love with a Hero, but won’t admit it to themself. They stop being able to effectively fight Hero because they don’t want to hurt them. But Supervillain notices, so they capture Hero and use them to lure Villain in.

-Wicky

🥺🥺🥺 Thank you so very much! You just made my day. I thank you for the compliment and the prompt! I sure hope I did it justice, and I hope you enjoy!

CW//Injuries, threats, implied torture

Villain’s world spun as their skull cracked against the rough concrete of the roof. Opening their eyes, their field of vision was filled with only an array of stars.

Everything hurt.

They were convinced, in that moment, that there was not an inch of their flesh that was left unbruised, not a rib left unfractured. Breathing on its own was an ordeal, an ordeal that they endured only out of pure necessity.

Pain rippled through the stocks of jelly they had once called limbs as the villain scrambled first to hands and knees, and finally to their feet, even as unsteady as they were. They could do nothing but gasp as they faced down their opponent.

There was something in Hero’s eyes. Something that even their nemesis, their sworn, life-long foe could not quite name. It was not quite sympathy, no, but it was not quite pity, either. Something inbetween, perhaps, with only the slightest garnishing of regret.

“Come on, Villain.” It was with a pleading tone that the hero spoke, as though attempting to coax a frightened cat down from the top branches of a Redwood tree. “Just stand down! You can’t win this. We have you surrounded. No harm will come to you- No more harm.”

Yet, the villain only shook their head.

For any outsider, the matchup would have looked more like a massacre, waiting to happen. Villain themself was perhaps not the picture of musculature, but what villain was? No, they may not have been the strongest. But everyone knew what power they held in their palms, the lightning they could unleash at will. Enough to topple the building upon which they stood. Enough to topple the whole city, perhaps. The city had yet to so much as see their full potential.

But it was their potential that the villain now refused to use.

Hero, on the other hand, was... well, they weren’t much. As strong as they were, as clever, as smart, superstrength could only do one so much good. Villain could have destroyed them in passing, with the snap of a finger!

Why wasn’t the hero in the nearest emergency room? Even Villain themself wasn’t entirely sure.

“I’m not giving up, asshole!” They snarled, balling their hands to fists. It would be so easy. So very simple to send a torrent of lightning forth, to shock Hero within an inch of their life. Hell, Villain used their powers to make popcorn on the weekends!

But, they couldn’t. They couldn’t imagine Hero, the poor thing, the pitiful little fool, fallen to the ground. The very thought of using their powers against their opponent made them feel sick.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Hero spoke, eyes wide and glimmering with that same mix of sympathy and regret.

“Too bad.”

And, with that, the rooftop once more became a battleground. Villain surged forward, met in the center by their nemesis. A blow to the side of their head sent them stumbling.

They couldn’t go on like this, they knew as their vision clouded once more with stars. Another hit and they would be unconscious, in the custody of the so-called good guys. They couldn’t do that.

They had two choices.

Three. Three choices.

The first? To take the hit. To bite the bullet, to find themself behind bars.

The second? To hurt Hero. To wipe that oh-so-innocent quiver from their lips. To destroy-

No. They had two options. That wasn’t even on the table. Villain could be beaten, or they could flee.

It was with a shivering gasp that they chose the second.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Sidekick placed down their fork with a resounding clack. In the silent room, the sound resembled the ring of a gong.

“Are you absolutely certain you’re alright?” They asked with a quirked brow. With the day turning to evening, they had left their sidekick’s uniform behind, replaced now with a casual set of garments. After all, the restaurant at which they were eating was far from fancy. That wasn’t the type of villain that their mentor was.

“Of course I’m alright. Do I look like some kind of ailing senior citizen?” Villain muttered under their breath as they looked over in displeasure at their sidekick. For someone so young, they certainly had a mouth.

“Not now. But on the battlefield last night-”

“I’m fine. I’m up and walking, aren’t I?”

“It’s not about that.” Sidekick shook their head. “It was in the battle. You could’ve taken out Hero easy-”

“Keep your voice down, we’re in public.”

“Sorry.” They lowered their tone. “But, I’ve seen you take Hero out dozens of times. Recently, though, you’ve been all over the place. You can’t even land a single hit! I’m worried. You’ve lost your edge. Up on that rooftop, it was like you were somewhere else entirely.”

Villain had been somewhere else entirely, not that they would ever dare to admit it. They had been lost, hopelessly lost- Lost in the eyes of their damn nemesis.

“I just wasn’t on the ball. Everyone has off days.” They grumbled, turning their embarrassed gaze away.

“Everyone has off days. But you’ve been having an off month! Don’t think I haven’t noticed that it’s just them. Just Hero.”

“They’re getting better.”

“So are you.”

“Really, I’m fine.”

Sidekick reached across the table, placing their palm upon the back of their mentor’s hand, which had unconsciously been balled into a fist.

“You nearly got captured, last night. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Villain. If you’re sick, if something’s wrong, anything at all, you need to tell me.”

Villain suddenly spotted something very interesting on their shoes, and kept their gaze fixed there.

“It’s stupid.”

“Are you sick? Everyone gets sick sometimes, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Not sick.”

“Then what?”

Villain gritted their teeth.

“Lovesick.”

Sidekick withdrew their hand in shock.

“What?”

“Look, it’s stupid! I don’t know. I shouldn’t be feeling that way about a hero, but- They’re a good person, I swear it. They want to help, and they’re kind, and I just can’t bear the thought of hurting them. What if I changed them? What if I hurt them, and that was what made them lose hope, lose faith? Then that’d be on my shoulders!”

“You’re saying...” Sidekick’s jaw was still ajar in shock. “You’re saying that you can’t fight Hero, because you’re in love with them?”

Villain looked up with a sigh.

“To put it shortly, I suppose.”

The both of them were shocked as a figure appeared next to their table. A sharply-dressed figure with a notepad.

“Are you two ready to order?”

“Yes, my apologies.” Villain cleared their throat. They and their sidekick presented their orders, which the waiter scrawled down with a series of understanding nods.

It was not until that particular waiter disappeared from the dining room that they slipped out of their disguise, and dialed a number into their phone.

“Hey, Boss? You might wanna hear about this.”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

To say Villain was in a bad mood would have been an understatement.

The injuries covering every last inch of their body, too, ached with every step they took. Bruises and beatings rippled, forcing them nearly to limp. Yet, they forced their gait to remain normal, even if it meant pain.

They couldn’t call attention to themself. Not when they were in civilian clothes like this, and not when they were on the streets. Still, they kept their head low and their sweatshirt hoodie up as they went along. No need to stick out in the crowd.

This was the only solace they ever got, after all. When some got frustrated, they would go for a drive in the night. But their vehicle was distinctive enough that that wasn’t an option for the villain.

Instead? They walked, moving along with the crowd as though they were a single fish in a school. Usually, this helped them calm down. Now, however, every step they took only made their thoughts spin more wildly.

First, it was Hero. Hero and their stupid eyes. Then it was Sidekick. It wasn’t that Sidekick had confronted them that made them so worried, it was that they’d noticed at all.

That meant that other people out there might spot their weakness. Might use it as an advantage. Who would it be, though? Hero themself? Or, even-

A gasp rippled through the crowd around them in a wave. Voices shouted and fingers pointed, all in the same direction. Villain wiggled their way out of the crowd in order to see what had caused such fuss.

A billboard. An electronic billboard.

An electronic billboard that no longer housed an advertisement for the latest cellphone or insurance scam. No. Upon the massive thing, multiple stories in height, surely, was broadcasted a video.

“Good evening, and I do apologize for interrupting. But I just had to get my friend’s attention.”

Villain’s breath caught in their throat. They would know that voice even if they had to pick it out of a crowd of thousands.

Most would have expected that two people so similar as Villain and Supervillain would get along, but the reality was just the opposite. Villain couldn’t call themself a good guy, no, but they had ethics. Morals. Real aims to work towards, rather than burning the city down and laughing among the flames.

Supervillain, on the other hand? There was a reason that they were so feared. Their goals were far grander than Villain’s.

To say that they had never been very good friends would be an understatement.

And, now? Now they were enemies. The video projected upon that billboard made that fact certain.

Supervillain themself was not visible in frame-- Perhaps that was lucky for Villain. Seeing that stupid face would have certainly goaded them into destroying the projection outright. Instead, the video displayed a room.

A concrete room, with a chair in the center. A chair that was far from empty.

It was always Hero’s eyes that they could not help but get lost in. Now, that wasn’t a factor. Not when the hero was so tightly blindfolded. Their soothing, calming voice, too, had been eliminated-- the cloth gag in their mouth was already soaked-through with spittle.

Tied to the chair, bound, gagged, and blinded, sat Hero.

“Now, I don’t want a ransom. No, no. I only want to see a dear friend of mine. And it has been oh, so hard to track them down.

So, Villain, dear?”

They shivered at the sound of their name. Their name.

“How about you come to my base, and pick up your little friend, here. Or else, I might just have to do something drastic.”

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For six hours, Villain did not move.

As soon as the broadcast had left the billboard, it had repeated itself upon every news channel that gave half a crap about the metropolis. National news, even international, with subtitles in two dozen languages telling of Supervillain’s threat.

They’d found out. Of course they’d found out.

Villain knew they should have been furious. They should have strangled Supervillain, strangled Hero, strangled themself! After all, this was all their fault. Falling for a hero, how could they have possibly been so stupid?

Now, they stared. Hands balled to fists in their lap as yet another newscaster explained the same events, over and over again.

“Boss?” Sidekick’s voice was soft, nothing like their usual, nosy self. They sat in a chair behind their mentor, who was seated criss-cross on the floor.

There was no answer.

“Boss... What are you going to do?”

“I can’t leave them.”

“Leave who?”

“Leave Hero. You know what Supervillain is like! They’ll destroy them. Destroy the last good hero in the city.”

“You didn’t want to hurt them.”

“And I don’t want to see them hurt, either.”

“I know you don’t. But it’s all Supervillain has over you. You can just... Leave them, right? It’s not like Hero has any real power over you.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I have to.”

“You don’t!”

Villain stood.

“Yes, I do.” They spun around, stalking towards the room that held their costume. “And I need to wipe that damn smile off Supervillain’s face.”

#villain whumpee #hero whumpee #supervillain whumper #whump #whumper #whumpee #whumpblr #hero x villain #hero villain whump #hero villain prompt #whump prompt #whump writing #whump scenario

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jiminrings · 3 years

Note

yoongi grills stem koo’s ass <3

cold senior!y/n x stem major!koo masterlist :D

stem koo wants to explain himself and yoongi may not want to listen

"hyeji's never packed you a sandwich before?"

jungkook pales at the mention, mouth drying when he sees yoongi bring up the soft smile that doesn't comfort him at all

“the one that’s all knuckle?”

oh my god

IS THIS A RIDDLE????

yoongi tilts his head in amusement when this pathetic excuse for your past crush is calculating what he just said in his mind

what is a sandwich that’s all knuckle?? but it doesn’t even rhyme!!

aren’t riddles sUPPOSED to rhyme????

jungkook’s more than well-versed in stem-related problems that are just rephrased 237 times over and over so that it wouldn’t be as easy to solve

he can solve that!!!

but this!!! :O his mind is short-circuiting pls do not approach him

“hm?” yoongi’s smile patronizes him further and puts him on the spot, straightening his figure and jungkook’s quick to stop him from coming back inside your dorm

“i want to-“

“i asked you — have you ever had a knuckle sandwich?”

yoongi enunciates with so much clarity that kook finds his mind blanking, tripping over his words he hasn’t even formed yet

“i-is it-...” he stalls, trying to rack his mind for the bread he’s not sure he’s ever even heard of in his life, “i-is it like, a pork thing? uhm, t-the pig’s knuckle? and then you put it between, uhm, bread?”

,,,, laughable

jungkook’s supposed to be smart, isn’t he? or atleast that’s what yoongi thinks he’s supposed to be

lmao he would’ve laughed at the boy’s poor attempts if only he wasn’t furious at him

he’s dumb but not the endearing kind ://

“no,” yoongi drawls out, pretending to fish something out from his pocket

jungkook watches in intrigue, thinking that yoongi’s reaching for his phone to show him a picture of what it looks like

the hypothetical situation in jungkook’s mind is clearly not the one that happens

jungkook SHRIEKS as he stumbles on his heels backward — crystal clear to him that yoongi was not looking for his phone, but instead balling his fist and him being the receiving end

almost the receiving end

yoongi almost sucker-punches jungkook in a blink, fist literally a millimeter away from his nose and the only thing he could see at the moment is red

... red and jungkook’s wide eyes that have never carried this much fear up until now

“that’s a knuckle sandwich, kid. would’ve fed it to you if only y/n isn’t in the room right behind me.”

holy fuck

his heart is beating right against his ribcage and that shouldn’t be possible, fists closing upon themselves nervously as he tries to soothe his thumb so his mind relaxes

spoiler alert: it doesn’t work

jungkook’s mind is all over the place, even more rattled than it was when he takes a text without studying (he was so low he got a 98), but the only thing that’s clear is that you’re behind this door

“yoongi — mister yoongi, please. i-i need to explain myself, and if only you let me try, i can!! i swear. i’m not forcing you but-...”

there he is again

jungkook’s only been in his sight for like two minutes but his eyes are already sore

“why are you even here?” he scowls and even if the younger boy’s taller than him, every bit of his posture and demeanor at the bite of his words scream small, “why go all this length for someone you stomped on today, then have the gall to be a crybaby about it?”

he's speechless and it only serves him right, looking at his mudded-up converse and trying to focus on anything besides the guilt within

"m-my explanation," jungkook mutters, hands behind his back as if he's being scolded, “will you tell y/n?”

yoongi releases an agitated breath at him muttering your name

he dOESN'T get to say your name!! no!!! not after what he did to you

“i’m not concerned about you. what i decide to do or not, has nothing to do with whatever you say right now.”

kook solemnly nods, and even if yoongi's much harsher in your words compared to yours, the gravity of yours with him not being related to you cuts deeper

there's nothing else he could care about, actually

jungkook follows campus curfews to a T and would come home two hours earlier in the rare event that he goes somewhere

but now, he couldn't care less when the dorm master could just be there any second and he'd pass a hall monitor like usual

for the whole day, you were the only one that occupied his mind

"i know hyeji isn’t the one."

god, it was clear as day

he'll be the first one to admit that he can't read people very well, but he knew from the start that it's probably not hyeji who's been packing his lunchboxes

jungkook sometimes takes attendance in behalf of the professor because as much as he's shy, he's also a teacher's pet

the classes she shared with hyeji? she wasn't present everyday for the whole duration of two weeks, and how could it be that she still managed to make him a lunchbox if she wasn't present in the campus at all?

there was a probability that it could've been her, but it was so low that it sat right next to improbable

"i-i entertained the possibility briefly that she was, but then nothing was making sense the more i thought about it."

jungkook sometimes also checks papers because his professors trust him enough and he has perfect scores anyway, so he uses his own as his answer key

"i needed to interview y/n for an assignment, a-and a signature above a name was needed and it was just so familiar."

the moment he racks his head for hyeji's writing, it seemed fAR from the writing on the sticky notes on the lunchboxes

"then she seemed mad at me, but when i went to her on the field to try and confront her-" jungkook pauses and almost whispers the next part, the shame on his skin starting to seep into his bones, "she told me that we weren't related for me to feel hurt about it."

yoongi clenches his jaw, a pressure forming on the center of his eyebrows because he knows where this is leading

"a-and i thought it was hyeji again."

jungkook can't bring himself to be elated that it's been you the whole time because he might be a little too late; a little too late when he's already subjected you to the heartbreak you didn't deserve

"i-i didn’t know what clicked in my mind but i was just so hurt that-"

that's the fiNAL straw for yoongi

this has been him trying to keep his anger at bay the whole time, but this one!! this one he can't just accept

"you are a fucking asshole. honestly."

jungkook slightly winces with the sudden cussing, but it barely scratches the surface

"you think you’re the only one hurt? tell that to me who’s never seen y/n cry so hard before — or even cry at all."

his explanation wasn't an excuse and he knows it, but nonetheless, it tears him apart

"i’m sorry."

his lips quiver and he's trying sO hard not to cry in front of his senior, but yoongi doesn't feel even the slightest remorse for the kid

"i don’t care. you don’t apologize to me; you apologize to y/n. whether she forgives you or not, which for the record i don’t think she should, you cannot take back what you said."

if what jungkook said was eVER said to yoongi, given that he had the same circumstances as you did, he wouldn't know how to bounce back at all

it's a pain he doesn't wish to feel and he could only helplessly look at you who's trying to navigate it

perhaps you don't even plan to navigate it — knowing you, you're just gonna sail through it all to the point you're not giving yourself enough time to even realize that you already are

it was the same cycle of trying to move on without grieving through it properly that it hurts yoongi and seokjin and the tiny amount of people around you

"grovel at her feet. cry her an ocean. commit penitence. whatever you wanna come up with, no matter what, you do not make my y/n feel like she isn’t deserving of love."

you're family and yoongi goes above and beyond for family.

"i don’t care if you make up. i don’t care if you don’t. all i know is that in any other place besides outside the room she sleeps in, i’d hurt you like you hurt her."

jungkook almost wishes that yoongi punches him now and he won't even try to dodge it

"i deserve it."

"you do."

they whole-heartedly agree and it's the only time that yoongi can get behind jungkook's words

"i’m always gonna be on y/n’s side, kid."

there's no other way around it and as much as you know it or not, you've cemented your position in yoongi's heart unknowingly

"the only way that i’m gonna be on yours is when you’ve earned my utmost respect," he can't even see when that happens, crossing his arms across his chest, "and you don’t."

jungkook's tears are falling to the floor but they don't get on his cheeks, the sudden set of footsteps coming from his side making his head straighten and wipe his eyes immediately

he's the only one alarmed and he spares yoongi a glance, then to said person

yeah right that couldn't have been you :((

the guy who's approaching doesn't stop walking and he looks like.... he's uh,,, coming to where he's exactly standing????

he seems oddly familiar though

“oh, taehyung!"

where did he hear that name before??

taehyung stands at the same height as jungkook, maybe a centimeter or two taller, but he just couldn't stop looking at him from the corner of his eyes

yoongi's oblivious to jungkook's ongoing deduction, immediately engulfing taehyung in conversation

"y/n’s already asleep. i could do her part of the project-“

he offers because he recalls that right, you told him that taehyung's coming over to finish your shared project of a business plan late tonight

uhhhhh you're kinda zooted and going through it rOUGH so yoongi doesn't mind doing your contribution for you

“yoongi!! oh no man, it’s not what i came here for," he leans for a side hug, eyes landing on jungkook to drop a polite smile to acknowledge him

jungkook only slightly bows, confused but even more intrigued because he heard your name in the conversation

"i just uh, i just saw y/n crying while i was on my way home awhile ago, and i didn’t get to ask why, but i felt bad, so i came by to drop some cookies.”

taehyung continues talking and it leaves yoongi and jungkook stunned, but he only focuses his attention on the former

“you looked like a hazelnut cookie kind of guy, so i baked some too!! is y/n allergic to peanuts? i put some too in a separate container in case she is.”

yoongi laughs and they go from there

IT'S LIKE JUNGKOOK ISN'T EVEN HERE!!!!

baby he's here he's nOT a hallucination!!!!

despite the fact that he's sticking out like and (unacknowledged) sore thumb, no one makes a move to take the conversation elsewhere

“thanks, tae. damn, you did all this yourself?”

yoongi whistles when he takes the tupperware opening it and almost watering at the sight

he doesn't mind baking cookies for you in case you wake up hungry, but taehyung really just did himself a nice favor without knowing it

he smiles softly, eyes narrowing in intrigue now that he realizes

"taehyung. no offense, but you’ve only interacted with y/n like once and it’s only for a project. why would you bake her uhhh 28 cookies?”

hehe

“35, actually :D”

tae interjects, waving him off when yoongi's jaw drops even further

“yeah, i know. i just felt so sorry for her — i’m not related to y/n but i just felt like i wanted to make her feel better.”

jungkook's jaw locks at this, his breathing becoming shaky all over again, fists balled this time

“it’s like,, economics!! i don’t actually know, maybe??? i’m in visual arts. y/n took over my part for me when i was sick-“

".... so you made her 30 cookies."

taehyung's the personification of a golden retriever and now that he thinks about it, jungkook reckons seeing him more than a handful of times

he laughs deeply at yoongi's rebutt and it may be in unfortunate timing that jungkook realizes he kNOWS him

he's in the same year!! he's the one that takes the portraits for the school paper and it's always his name in the credits

"good night, yoongs. hug y/n for me. tell her i'll take over her part, no questions asked."

taehyung walks away and he's perfectly content even if he didn't get to give you the cookies like jungkook thought he would

"night, taehyung."

yoongi looks at the retreating figure briefly, then looks at jungkook pointedly

he doesn't realize that he's still budging and listened on an entire conversation, dropping his head when yoongi points to the elevator

"bye, jungkook."

"good night, yoongi."

he feels hesitant to leave but it's probably for the better, putting his hands in his pockets still not enough to make his hands stop trembling

kook stops at the middle of his walking, turning his head to look back at yoongi whose mouth already has crumbs

"c-can i see y/n tomorrow?"

"i'm not her dad."

jungkook nods somberly, leaving it at that while his bulk of emotions consume him

he thinks all about the ways he could attempt to make it up to you, a million ideas in his head but his head doesn't hurt

his nose twitches at the lingering scent the cookies left, annoyed at the persistent smell and perhaps the boy that brought them

jungkook's never really liked cookies.

#WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NEXT :O PLACE UR BETS BESTIES #stem koo #jungkook imagine #jungkook imagines #jungkook oneshot #jungkook drabble #jungkook x reader #jungkook x y/n #jungkook au #jungkook angst #jungkook angst imagine #jungkook scenario

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miiamour · 3 years

Note

Hi!!!! I don’t know if you are taking requests, but could you write some ron weasly angst??? Maybe with a fluff ending? Maybe him making the reader feel insecure or something like that, I don’t know :) Love your writing so much :):)

am i that girl you dream of?

fem!slytherin!reader x ron weasley

summary: you and ron are in a secret relationship— scared of what others will think, but it still doesn’t stop you from getting insecure when he’s flirted with.

warnings: angst, fluff at the end, mentions of cheating, insecurities in relationship, alcohol, illusions to sex/making out hermione slander but only if you squint.

word count: 1.7k

a/n: eek thank you for the request <3 btw i’m literally 4 away from 200 so hopefully this helps me hit 200!

⊱ ──── ˗ˏˋ✧*♡*✧´ˎ˗ ────⊰

the smell of alcohol lingered throughout the room, along with the slight aroma that sweaty teenagers gave off when they’re dancing against each other. the lights in the gryffindor common room were slightly dimmed with a red tint, but still bright enough to see hermione granger flirting with your boyfriend.

granted, she didn’t know— nobody did, but that didn’t mean she have to grab onto his arm every time time he made a joke. it was upsetting to say the least, but it technically wasn’t your place to say anything but it took every ounce of self control to not walk over there and kiss him, showing everyone that ron belongs to you or ram hermione’s head into the wall; either worked for you.

you and ron had been secretly dating for a few months. you were both terribly afraid of what others thought, him more than you; he was a gryffindor with slytherin hating friends and you were a slytherin.

honestly, it was but fun in the beginning; pretending to hate each other, sneaking around, the thrill of possibly getting caught was exhilarating but now, now it just exhausting. you were tired of simply just hanging out in his dorm when no one was around; you wanted to be able to hold his hand in the halls and go out in hogsmeade dates like regular couples.

at times you questioned if he was ashamed of you but he assured you that he wasn’t— although you weren’t so sure now, it had been months and he had yet to tell a soul about the two of you and he was allowing hermione to hopelessly flirt with him.

to be fair, you weren’t sure if ron was even aware that she was flirting or not. but you, you knew. the whole common room could’ve seen it but ron wouldn’t recognize a flirt attempt if it danced naked in front of him wearing dobby’s tea cozy.

but you couldn’t do anything about it; you simply stood there, watching the boy you weren’t supposed to love but did, as girl— who, now that you think about it, is prettier— flirt with him.

your usual self confidence was being teared down, bit by bit, as you watched hermione bat her eyelids at your boyfriend. your finger danced along the rim of your red solo cup that was previously filled with beer, some muggle alcohol— which is nothing like butterbeer.

you honestly couldn’t blame ron, just look at her; she had perfect smile, big doe like brown eyes, and she was smart— ron always admired that about her. you knew that ron had a crush on hermione prior to the two of you dating but he always assured you that he didn’t have any feelings towards her anymore but watching them flirt gave you doubts.

“hey y/n, you alright?” blaise zabini had interrupted your thoughts, he attempted to look in the direction of your gaze “weasley? why’re you staring at him? you fancy him or something?” he asked teasingly.

“what? no! i’m not staring, i just— just zoned out, that’s all” you lied as you turned to the drink table to pour grab something stronger— firewhiskey.

blaise and you had been bestfriends since your first year, and you hadn’t told him about you and ron. you felt a bit guilty about it but ron always told you that you guys could tell people when the time was right, but the time was never right.

“alright then, but if you do fancy him you better hurry up because seems like him and hermione are going up to his dorm” he said casually while pointing his hand in their direction, ron and hermione were walking up towards the boy dormitory.

you turned so fast, you were sure your neck would’ve snapped. “what!” you felt your face redden and your stomach was doing flips.

“y/n!?” blaise called out after you but you were already half way to ron’s dorm.

your heart beat faster with every step you took, exasperation flooding through your veins. your hand— your body shook as it gripped on the door handle, you quickly prayed that what you thought what was going on, wasn’t actually going on.

you forcefully opened the door, the first thing you see being ron— shirtless. “ronald weasley! what the bloody hell do you think you’re doing!” you yelled out at him as if the door didn’t startle them enough.

“y/n! hey, what— what’re you doing here?” his eyes bulging out of his sockets as he jerks his head towards hermione.

“y/n?” hermione yelled out as she backed up away from ron with a rag in her hand.

you ignored hermione and turned to ron, “what am i doing here? i see you walk up to your dorm with another girl! what do expect me to do?” you walked closer to him, pushing on his bare chest with your finger.

“what? another girl?“ hermione mumbles to herself. “if i may—“ she interjects only for you to put your free hand in her face and shout out, “no!”

“how dare you ron! if you didn’t want to be with me anymore, just say so! merlin, you are infuriating—

“no, love, hermione spilled firewhiskey on my shirt!” he throws his hands up in defense as you kept walking towards him until his legs hit foot of his bed.

“i don’t give a damn if hermione spilled—“ you stopped yourself once you properly processed his words “she spilled firewhiskey on you?” you looked between ron and hermione, she was holding a rag, helping ron get cleaned up.

“yes, darling, firewhiskey; that’s why we came up here and why my shirt’s off” he explained before reaching for another shirt to slip on, and before you could apologize hermione spoke.

“l-love? darling? wait, wait— are you two together?” hermione babbled out like a fish out of water.

“surprise!” ron mocked jazz hands,

“nearly eight months” you add.

hermione’s nostrils flared as she walked up to ron “why. didn’t. you. tell. me.” she hit him with the rag between each word.

“y/n, i apologize if he has done anything stupid in the last eight months; he hadn’t had a girl tell him what he’s doing wrong” she said half-jokingly.

well now you felt worse; you thought hermione had tried to after ron, they really were just friends.

“i’ll leave you two alone now” hermione began to walk out the door, “oh and don’t worry, i won’t tell anyone; secrets safe with me” she said after peering her head through the door and ‘zipping’ her lips together and throwing away the key.

you sat next to ron, your heart was slowing down from the fast pace it was previously going at. after a few moments you started, “i’m sor—“

“i’m sorry” ron interrupted.

“why’re you sorry? i’m the one who went all crazy girlfriend.” you shifted closer to him.

“it’s understandable. if i saw you go up to your dorm with another guy, let’s be honest, i’d be way crazier” he placed a hand on your knee and sparks erupted. you were so sensitive to his touch that even the slightest graze of an elbow when you sat next to each other left your stomach doing flips.

“but i still shouldn’t have. you assured me that you and hermione were just friends and i didn’t believe you— i was just being insecure” you said the last part i’m a quiet voice, slightly hoping that he didn’t hear.

ron moved closer to you and wrapped an arm around you “there is no need to be insecure, you’re the only girl i want to be with”

“am i?” you asked, shifting away from ron.

“what’s that supposed to mean? there aren’t any other girls that flirt with me— right?” ron’s eyebrows furrowed.

“this isn’t about girls flirting won’t you l, i’m just saying— do you really want to be with me? am i that girl you dream of?” you stood up in front of him. your throat burned with every breath.

“of course i want to be with you!” this time he stood up.

“then why do act like you’re ashamed? why do we have to keep our relationship hidden?” you yelled out, partially startling ron. tears brimmed your eyes but you refused to let them down.

he walked up to you and grabbed the sides of you face. ron’s eyes were glossy and sunken; filled with guilt and sympathy. “i am not ashamed of you. i’m scared of what people would think about us— people would think ‘what a weird couple, she’s way too fit for him” he flayed his arms mockingly.

you playfully slapped his shoulder, “you care way too much about what others think, ron. besides, i’m tired of sneaking around.” you said more seriously.

“so what? you want to break up?” ron sat back down on the bed and pressed his lips together to keep from smirking.

you took a deep breath to keep yourself from ripping ron’s head off, “no, i— ugh, nevermind” you began to walk away

“i’m joking!” ron gently tugged your arm, and pulled you towards so you stood in between his legs. “y/n, do you want to be my public girlfriend?” he asked you as he wrapped his arms around you.

you put a finger to your chin, pretending to be thinking about it. “hmm, no thanks” you replied.

ron began poking and tickle at your sides.

“you know, if this is your way of getting me to be your girlfriend— stop it!— it’s not a very good one” you giggled in between words.

“merlin, you’re lucky i love you” ron breathed out, not quite realizing what he said.

“you what?” you asked breathlessly.

“oh shit, erm— i love you. yeah. i love you. that’s okay right? i mean you don’t have to say it back but if you want—“

you interrupted ron by kissing him, “i love you too” you mumbled against his lips.

everything worked out. ron loved you and you loved him back. fireworks erupted in your stomach every time you kissed him and your brain went foggy; focusing on nothing but him.

turns out that you are that girl he dreams of.

taglist: @keepawaythenargles @anywherebuthere @myloveforluna click here to join!

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softscummymammon · 3 years

Text

€Unexpected Acquaintance€

Assisted by:: @jinjinjinjin

❃.✮:▹»»——⍟——««◃:✮.❃

Sukuna just wanted this day to end. He was already in a bad mood from the storm last night, where he got little of his much needed sleep, and his mood had only gotten worse when he was faced with a bunch of "nature friendly" bastards protesting near the docks where his boat was tied down.

Now, he just wanted to get his daily load of fish for the market, and have a nap without dealing with any other goody two shoe hypocrites. He could already feel the headache building up behind his eyes.

Though the gentle rocking of the boat over the surface of the water did ease him slightly. People besides other fishermen were always so confused when he actually said something about himself and it happened to his be career in fishing. They were always so astounded when he said he could stay on a boat for a whole day. Weaklings, all of them.

Rubbing at his sore eyes, Sukuna glared at the surface of the horizon and took a sip of the alcohol in his canteen. Tucking the tin back into his wader's pocket, he patted the pocket for safe keeping.

Walking to the front of the boat, he checked his net markers he left a few days ago. Sukuna gasped when he saw his marker bobbing up and down frantically. Getting his equipment ready, he tugged on some gloves and grabbed at the net right under the marker.

Taking a breath, Sukuna started tugged on the net. Grabbing every piece of net coming from the water, Sukuna huffs as he pulls the net further and further from the water. The sound of splashing water reached his ears and he smirked in victory.

Putting all the access netting into one hand, Sukuna quickly reaches behind him for the mechanical hook. The machinery on his boat was built and bought by him only, so only he knew how it worked. By reaching for the net first, he can easily tie the access onto the hook and pull up the rest of it out of the water.

Doing exactly what was needed, he tied the net to the hook and grabbed onto the leaver and started cranking the leaver clockwise. The machinery raised the net out of the water better than he ever could. The load he hauled onto his deck made him smile and rub his hands together gleefully.

" This shipment is definitely worth a pretty penny. Now, all I gotta do it sort you out, fish sticks. "

*Slap* "Who you callin' fish sticks, blubber mouth?! "

Sukuna froze. Looking up, he raised his hand to his face and wiped away some water the fish that had been thrown at him left on his cheek. Peering down at the fish now flopping on his deck, he gave the thing a death glare; as if that would give him any answers. He must really be going crazy-

"Up here, blubber-for-brains. "

His eyes snapped up towards the voice. But the air in his lungs escaped as if they were punched out of him. A human(?)'s upper torso was visible at the top of the net. It was leaning against the hook of the machinery and was throwing and catching a fish in its hand.

Sukuna raised a brow, " What the fuck? "

The thing raised one of its brows back, " Nice use of language, Oh Smart One. I thought you humans were supposed to be intelligent. Though, every one of your kind I've encountered uses fowl language, so smarts must just be a myth. "

Sukuna growled at the things snarky commentary, " Oh yeah? And what kind of intelligent creature like you gets stuck in a fishing net, huh? So much for being smart. "

The thing snarled, showing off rust colored stained teeth dyed by no doubt blood as sharp as many of Sukuna's own fileting knives. It held tightly onto the fish in its hand, " Watch your mouth, human, I still got a whole lotta of ammo here, and your face is lookin' like a big ol' target from where I'm sittin'. "

Sukuna rose an unimpressed eyebrow and pulled out a harpoon gun he kept in the captain's quarters, " Mine hurts worse. "

The thing flinched back and hissed at the gun, but slowly set down the poor he probably squeezed to death in his panic. The thing made a whiny sound in the back of its throat, " I didn't choose to get stuck here. I was getting chased by some shark mers. Those nasty ones only know the smell of blood and the next potential meal. I'd choose to be anywhere else right now, trust me. "

Sukuna huffed, " Yeah, sure. " Putting away the gun, Sukuna sighed and looked back up to the sulking thing. Looking closer, he was the slightest shine of scales decorating the cheeks, neck, and forearms of the thing. Its eyes were steely and sunken in, as if it's seen things beyond it's life time.

Sukuna chuckled upon realization, " You're a mermaid, aren't you? "

The mer scoffed, " Merman, thank. But 'mer' is just fine. I still don't get why ya humans always gotta gender code things. Damn, just call us what we are? "

Sukuna chuckled again, " What? Nuisances? "

The mer hissed again, " We wouldn't be if ya humans knew to keep to yerselves. Ain't this section of the coast off limits to fishers like yerself? "

Sukuna shrugged, not giving an answer. The mer scoffed and crossed it's arms over it's chest. Sukuna looked at it up and down, taking in everything he could. He hummed delightfully.

The mer must have caught on, " What'cha lookin at me fer? Think I'm some sorta snack for yer to eat? "

Sukuna shook his head no, " Nah, I was just rememberin how much one of your kind goes to sell on the blackmarket. You gotta be worth something. No rich bastard would give up the opportunity to call a thing like you pet. "

The mer's eyes went thin, but already creamy skin paled considerably, " You wouldn't... "

Sukuna rose a brow, " Oh, and why wouldn't I? I could definitely use the money. "

The thing stayed quiet, before it soon started to shake. Sukuna was about to sneer and comment about it being weak, but paused when a face formed from agony and rage shot up to glare at him. Sukuna had to keep himself from tensing and tried to look as calm as he could be.

The mer growled, " That's all that ya humans are. Selfish and greedy monsters only willing to do something if you get money in return. Do you know how many of our kind is sacrificed, hunted, and killed just so the others can live? Just so you humans can play god and reap what we mer's sew. "

Sukuna gulped, remembering the auction show he was emailed an invite to since he contributed a large amount of fish to the CEO of the company. It was a disgusting show of wealth. How millionaires and billionaires fought over a small little thing that held a resemblance to the one right in front of him.

The mer wasn't done, but tears of grief started to roll down it's eyes, " How many of our guppies, our children, are pulled from our arms to be sold like live stock?! You are no better! "

Sukuna had enough of this tantrum, " Do not bundle me with those people! I'd never harm a child, even if I am considered a monster by other people. I will not allow it to be done by a fish like you! "

The mer shrunk back, breathing irregular and struggling, like a faint wheeze. It swallowed roughly and looked away. Sukuna rumbled, now over flowing with guilt he felt he should not harbor. Looking back up, he became slightly alarmed at the shallow and wheezy breaths the mer was taking.

Mer's need water, his mind supplied. Sukuna growled, and hackles raising when he caught the mer flinching again. Walking away from the net, he went down below deck on got out a giant glass tank he kept in case he needed to keep a fish alive for more profit.

Taking it up the stairs and on to the deck, he set it down on some secure boxes and grabbed a bucket to start filling it with water. He had to make haste though, or the mer would die from drownin? Suffocation? And all of this work would be for waste.

Once the tank was full and covered from the beating ray of the sun, Sukuna walked over to the leaver controlling the hook and rotated it counter clockwise. He watched as the machine lowered the net onto the deck and he let go of the leaver. Once the machine stopped, he stepped up to the net and untied it.

Being this up close and personal to the mer, he watched as the sun made the scales look iridescent. Slipping his arms underneath the torso of the fish being, he pulled it out of the other fish and dragged it towards the tank. The mer roused slightly, trying to fruitlessly push Sukuna away. The bigger man scoffed and dropped the mer into the tank.

The reaction was instant, the mer took a deep breath through the large gills covering it's side and it slumped against the rim of the glass tank. Sukuna watched, looking at the mer's tail that could he classified as art in itself. It was beautiful, though he would never admit it. The thin tarp Sukuna draped over some boxes didn't stop the light from the sun bouncing off the glittering scales.

Sukuna's gaze went back up to the mer's face, startling to see the mer was also looking at him. It's hair fell in it's face, blocking out most of it. It puffed, blowing some of the strands out of it's eyes to get a better look.

Sukuna hated the way his chest constricted at the show. The mer raised a webbed hand, and Sukuna slowly took it and shook it. He made a face when he pulled it back and fake gagged at the slimy feeling left on his skin. The thing laughed at his disgust and shook it's head, getting water everywhere.

It smirked, " The name's _____ _____. What's yours, blubber man? "

Sukuna sneered at the nickname, " That's not my name. It'd Sukuna Ryoumen, nothing else. "

The mer smirked, " Well now I gotta call you that every time I address ya. "

Sukuna growled, " Don't you dare. " The glint in the fish's eyes didn't quell any of the building dread that sat in the bottom of his stomach. He really debated on if he should sell the fish or not.

❃.✮:▹»»——⍟——««◃:✮.❃

#anime headcanons #jjk x male reader #ryōmen sukuna #sukuna ryomen #x male reader #male character #mermaid male reader #sukuna ryoumen x reader #sukuna x male reader #tw blood #tw gore #tw fishing #tw harmful endangerment #alternate universe

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apocalypticgargoyle · 3 years

Text

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙀𝙉𝘿. ҂ 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢

request:

Hi!! Idk if you’re taking requests rn lol but I was wondering if you can write a clay imagine? It can be smut or anything lol

pairing: dream x fm!reader

warnings: nsfw (18+ minors dni), smut, calling dream clay, cliche apocalypse au, blood, kinda sad ngl

word count: ~3000

links: ao3

a/n: Hi everyone. I have no idea what this is, but if you like it let me know! I was struggling with coming up with something for dream but here we are on a crackpot tangent. N E WAY, thank you for all your support and requests! Have a great week and happy reading ♡ ᵍᵉⁿᵉ

Soapy bubbles clung to your arms as you pressed your hands into the hot water, sighing as you reached the bottom of the sink. You didn’t care about the murky discoloration of the water from the stack of dishes you had just polished off. You attempted to let the stress of your day roll off your shoulders to mix into that same water. Call it a baptism, but the solace you got standing before the sink, pouring your emotions into the dark, louring water was comparable to nothing. The radio buzzed with slight static as the station attempted to break through the heavy interference.

That was until three long pulses echoed over the station, making your skin crawl as if an unseen force were intruding on your alone time. You stood up straighter, water dripping down your arms and splashing on the linoleum floor beneath you as you listened to the grizzled news broadcaster read from an obviously unedited announcement. The world outside of your apartment seemed to still, silence echoing through the streets where shrilling sirens lived only moments before.

“Breaking news… NASA has just verified that the mystery asteroid is, in fact, in danger of crashing into the Earth… As of this moment-” His voice cut out, your radio buzzing into static. In a panicked effort, you vaulted across your kitchen, slipping on the dishwater in the process as you tumbled to the ground. Before the pain could set in, you climbed to your feet, smacking your hand atop of the radio. It finally crackled back to life as you twisted at the dials feverishly. “... three days. To repeat, there is a countdown on the NASA website… take shelter when the time nears.”

Your ears rang alongside the three pulses to indicate the message was over. You were in denial, figuring there was no way this asteroid was actually going to obliterate the Earth. Surely, it was a joke. Everyone had been making memes of the space rock since it was picked up on NASA’s radar a month prior. Surely, this was just a test.

You waited for the city to come back to life, but everything remained still. After everything you’d all been through in the last year, an asteroid was going to be the end.

A sharp and urgent knock hammered against your door, making you jump a few feet in the air. Before you could move to see who it was, the person was already through the threshold. You peered around the corner of the kitchen and down the hall, your gaze meeting a pair of dark green irises. Clay’s towering figure stalked toward you, his eyes brimming with tears and panic. He pulled you into his embrace rather hurriedly, as if he’d been itching to wrap around you before he broke down.

The hint of cologne clouding the air around the two of you suggested that he was on his way out. As your hands followed their muscle memory to grip onto his clothes, he dug his face into the crook of your neck. It was becoming clear that even if you weren’t responding to your best friend’s need, he was going to take it from you.

He pulled away from you slightly. Your mind had gone completely silent as he looked at you, his attention struggling to focus on one part of your face. Your body felt numb and your tongue had gone dry. His gaze traveled towards the ground and he stepped back slightly, worry spreading across his features as he clamped his hand around your forearm.

“Why are you bleeding? What happened?” His voice cracked slightly as he dug into the drawer beside you to find a towel. You furrowed your brows before finally catching sight of the blood seeping from your arm and between his fingers. His hand was large enough that it nearly served as its own bandage.

He tugged you behind him towards your bathroom. “I fell…” You mumbled, your mind now racing with questions. Why couldn’t you feel the cut? Or his hands? He pushed you upwards to sit on the bathroom counter, his crimson hands shaking slightly as he rinsed them off. Your fingers tightened around the towel holding your wound together. As he focused on the task before him, he seemed to calm down ever so slightly. He rolled his head on his shoulders and took a deep breath to steady himself as fished through your First Aid kit.

“I was on my way to Nick’s and I heard the news. I’m…” He brought his arm up slightly to brush away a few tears against his shoulder. He pulled open a package with his teeth. You watched him carefully as he worked to clean you up. His blond locks hung over his eyes, curling around his ears and twisting about as he focused and you could almost hear his mother’s voice telling him he needed a haircut.

Your chest ached. “Clay, I think I’m having some kind of a breakdown,” you mumbled, your own eyes prickling with tears as he looked up at you quickly. Usually, you were the one that kept it together. It had been like that since the two of you were teenagers. Despite the fact that Clay’s tall, muscular stature gave off the appearance of an intimidating being. In actuality he always let his emotions get the best of him, leaving you in charge of being the rational one.

But as he patched up your arm and struggled not to fall apart, the reality was settling in to weigh heavily on your shoulders.

He began to talk softly to you---much like you usually did for him---making sure his touches were delicate and slow. While his hands were coarse from years of football and building decks with his dad in the summers when the two of you were younger, they were so tender when dealing with you. He cradled you as if you would break at the slightest flex of his finger.

“Why didn’t you just go to Nick’s?” You asked him once he’d finished bandaging your arm and had begun rewashing his hands. The scarlet water in the sink looked almost surreal after you’d been staring so long at the caliginous dishwater. He rested his hands on the edge of the sink, his eyes flashing up to look at himself in the mirror before chewing on the inside of his cheek.

Your hand traveled up his arm, his skin warm beneath your touch as you tugged on his bicep to bring him closer to you. He moved to wrap you in his embrace once again, his breath melding into your hair as his fingers closed around the fabric of your shirt. “I’d rather spend the end of the world with you,” he barely whispered, pressing a kiss to your shoulder softly.

You pulled away from him gently, his forehead moving to rest against your own. One of his hands moved to brush into your hair, his fingers finding purchase against your neck. The familiar smell of smoky vanilla and sage seeped into your mind at his closeness. You thought about your first kiss shared in “the name of science,” after you turned fourteen. Clay had been so awkward in his body at that time; his hair shaggy, stretch marks along his knees from his growth spurt, and a growing realization that you were in fact, a member of the opposite sex.

The Clay before you, even in his state of anguish and anxiety, stood with a cockiness that that Clay couldn’t have even dreamt of. His thumb glossed over your jaw, his eyes cast down as if his mind was wreaking havoc on his movements. Cautiously, you leaned towards him, sealing the space between the two of you as your lips pressed against his. The air of catastrophe seemed to dissipate around you as he pulled you tighter against him. The taste of mint and a faint whisper of fruit from the gum he always chewed blended against your tongue. Your arms moved to wrap around his waist, wanting him pressed to you as close as he could be.

He wrapped his hands around your thighs, pulling you up and into his arms as he made his way to your bedroom. As your back hit the mattress, Clay’s lips were back on yours, your fingers slipping beneath the hem of his shirt to tug the fabric over his head. You sighed as he hesitated before nipping at the skin of your collarbones, his tongue ghosting against any mark that formed on your skin from his teeth. You drove your hands into his hair, your fingers locking around the slight curls forming. He pushed your shirt off and you wiggled out of your sweatpants.

His hips dug into yours, the friction bringing a lazy smile to your face as you bit your lip. You tugged on his hair, making him moan into your ear to mix with his motions. “I want you, Clay,” you stated, your voice falling from your lips in a slightly deeper tone, your breathing uneven with passion. He moved to look into your eyes, pausing for a moment before his hand slid between your waistband and your hip to remove your underpants. It was clear that even as the timer clicked away the minutes the two of you had together, you wanted to savor him. If the world ended now as the two of you were in each other’s embrace, you would be fulfilled.

He smirked slightly at your words, his lips finding your neck once again. “You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to hear that,” he moaned, pressing a kiss behind your ear. He slunk down to press his lips against your stomach, moving slowly up your body to bury his face in your hair, grinding his hips against yours. You fought not to roll your eyes as you hooked your fingers through his belt loops, pulling his pants off. He pressed his lips against yours, humming into the kiss as you wrapped your leg around one of his. You slipped your tongue into his mouth, grinding against him.

As Clay pushed himself into you, your whole body relaxed as if he were made for you. He dug his face into the crook of your neck, letting you adjust to him. You hummed slightly, taking your bottom lip between your teeth as he began to move. He gripped the edge of the mattress beside your head as he leaned his weight on his forearm, the angle bringing your thigh to rest against his side. You wrapped your arm around his shoulder, bringing your hips up to move with his. “You’re so beautiful…” he mumbled, his lips brushing against your collarbones again as his thrusts into you became deeper.

You began to feel every inch of him in you as his hips ground against yours. Clay’s lips left yours to press against your jaw and your ear, one of his hands interlocking with yours, binding the two of you further together in the act. It was his carefulness of your forearm that sent a shock wave through your body as you were bitterly reminded that instead of a lifetime of cherishing moments like this, the two of you were cursed into his disaster arc.

His hand pressed into the mattress, fingers curling around the sheets as you pulled him down to you again, his lips melding to yours. You groaned, finding your sweet spot as he did so, making him pick up his pace. His other hand pressed against the side of your neck, bringing your skin closer to his lips as he pressed open mouth kisses to the landscape of your neck, thrusting into you and making the tension in your body tighten with pleasure. Your arms moved to wrap around Clay’s torso, pressing your lips against his shoulder as he moved. Your toes curled as you finally reached your orgasm, calling out his name and feeling him release as well, riding out your pleasure.

As you laid beside him, he played with your fingers, the quietness between the two of you nearly comforting. There was almost the question of “what now” hanging in the air.

A knock came at your door once again, your heart dropping slightly at who the person could be. You shot a look to Clay before pulling on one of the discarded shirts and your shorts from earlier. Your apartment was cold after being in bed with Clay, the air nipping at your skin and sending a shiver down your skin. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed the billboard beside your window had the countdown displayed in heavy red numbers. You swallowed your uneasiness and opened your door.

Nick stood before you, his eyebrows slightly perked at---what you could only assume---your unkempt appearance. He wet his lips briefly. “Dream’s here right?” He asked, peering over your head a bit. You silently opened your door completely, letting him inside. Clay came out of your bedroom, tugging a hoodie over his head that he had previously shoved in one of your drawers. As Nick eyed him, it seemed like he’d forgotten whatever serious matter he needed Clay for. Instead of the skittish expression, Nick’s face twisted into a knowingly smug quip.

Clay ran his fingers through his hair, moving down the hallway and into your kitchen. “What’s up?” He queried Nick. You followed the two of them as Nick began to ramble about the end of the world.

Your chest tightened at his words as you took a seat at your kitchen counter. Clay uncapped a beer, leaning on the marble across from you. “There’s a bunker nearby. It belongs to some random old guy but I know some people who can get us a spot,” Nick muttered almost as if he were worried your neighbors would hear and sabotage his plans. He looked between the two of you quickly. “I think it’s worth a shot.”

You watched Clay closely as he thought, his expression nearly blank due to his somberness. You could practically hear the clock ticking away outside as the red light began to seep into your apartment. Clay chewed the inside of his cheek. “What do you think?” He asked, suddenly breaking the deafening silence and turning to you. “I wanna go where you go.” He looked almost like a child as he said this, but you were grateful he wanted to be with you in the end.

You tore your eyes from him, focusing on the ring forming in your sink from the dishwater that you hadn’t had the opportunity to drain. Your mind raced with the possibility that Nick was offering. “What’s the worst that can happen? We’re dying anyway, right?” You responded wearily.

And that’s how you found yourself packed into an underground shelter, Clay’s body pressed against yours as nameless people crowded the dense area. Nick huddled against the two of you, the asteroid’s timer serving as a foreboding heartbeat as it reminded you all that these were the last moments of your life. Clay’s arm tightened around your shoulders as you buried your face in the softness of his sweatshirt. Your legs were going numb from sitting on the ground with your knees folded to your chest, but you didn’t dare move from his grasp. Nick’s side dug into your own as he attempted to shrug away from the hysterical woman beside him whispering to herself.

Only the mumbling of prayers and lamenting sobs broke up the lulling music playing over a small Ham radio resting on a bookshelf in the corner. The tune reminded you of an eerie scene in a movie from the ‘60s. As the song faded, a newscaster began to discuss the timer, wishing that everyone was with loved ones and had spent the last of their money.

And then the final ten seconds came. Your fingers threaded with Clay’s as he pressed a lasting kiss to your forehead.

“... Nine. Eight…”

Nick leaned into you. The two of you had never really been close, but on your journey to the bunker, he'd become a companion to you just as much as he was Clay's.

“... Seven. Six…”

You let your mind travel to your past, prom in particular. When Clay shut the skirt of your dress in his passenger door by accident. You were so mad at him for finding humor in the situation.

“... Five. Four…”

You thought about the week prior when you were considering skipping a lecture because you were tired. What you wouldn’t give to go back to the simplicity of problems like that.

“... Three. Two…”

You hugged Clay tighter to you, hoping that if you both got blasted into whatever kind of eternity was waiting, you’d land at the same time.

“... One.”

Everyone seemed to hold their breath, even the newscaster. The silence was painful as you all waited.

Clay and Nick moved quickly, looking around the room. You furrowed your brows at them, your grip tightening around the front of Clay’s sweater. “Do you hear that?” Clay stated, his voice coming out rushed. Nick nodded, watching as the rest of the men in the bunker began to talk amongst themselves. You couldn’t hear anything, worry settling.

“What?” You asked, barely above a whisper.

Clay pushed himself to sit up away from the wall, dragging you up with him. “How can you not hear that?” He urged mildly. Fear began to pick at your nerves as you noticed the same reactions filling the shelter. Nick stood up, following some of the other guys who heard whatever they were talking about. Clay slipped from your grasp. “I’ll be right back,” he muttered and you grabbed his hand. His eyes flashed a different color as he looked at you.

A few of the women followed the group, attempting to get their companion’s attention before one of them opened the shelter door.

#dream x fem!reader #dream x reader #dream x you #dream smut #apocalypse #college au #dream fluff #dreamwastaken x reader #dreamwastaken scenario #dreamwastaken fluff #dreamwastaken au #tw angst

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