#ponderings be afoot
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Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
Pairing: Arlecchino x gn!reader
Notes: 18+ only
“You wanted to see me, My Lady?”
The woman does not answer immediately. She is sitting in front of a mahogany desk, her black streaked snowy hair hiding her expression. She wears a silver suit. A black tie adorned with a crimson Fatui brooch is wrapped around her neck. Her sharp heels rest on the desk’s surface, clicking together occasionally. Her onyx irises are focused on the riding crop that rests in her fingers. As she casually inspects it, her eyes flicker to meet your confused face.
“So. You’ve applied for a transfer to work with another Harbinger?”
The Knave. Arlecchino. You’ve been her underling for quite some time now. She often praised your work-- a rare occurrence for the formidable woman that often had you catching flak from her other subordinates. Still, her words often made you beam with pride. To say you hold the fourth Harbinger in high esteem is an understatement. You respect her as anyone would a superior of her caliber, but there was certainly something else--a stirring in your heart that made it increasingly hard to look your boss in the eye, lest a humiliating scarlet shade cloud your usually calm and collected face.
It is because of this that you decided to apply to transfer as a subordinate for another Harbinger. Your little infatuation is a huge distraction to both your work and everyday life. You did not want to risk making a grievous error that may tarnish the reputation of The Knave.
Besides, it’s best you left before she realizes your feelings. The very thought makes you want to curl up with embarrassment.
“Yes, My Lady,” You bow as low as you can, not daring to stand straight. You did not want to meet her piercing gaze. “I apologize for such a brief notice.”
Arlecchino stands up, strolling towards you. She circles you, inspecting you closely as you slowly straighten back up.
“That’s truly a shame. You’re one of my most capable agents. You must understand it’s quite hard to find truly competent individuals like yourself.”
You nod. “I understand, however, I’m only transferring due to my need to move to the western side of Shneznaya to care for my aging parents.”
“Hm.” Arlecchino pauses as if she’s pondering your words.
“Tell me, Y/N. Do I look stupid to you?”
“What-”
Before you can finish your sentence, you find your legs kicked from under you. Before you know it, you’re lying painfully on your back against the hard wooden floor. Arlecchino’s heel rests painfully atop your chest. Her usual calm and graceful demeanor has completely changed. The red X’s in her pupils bore into your soul as she gives you a contemptuous look. At first, you think The Knave is completely enraged at you, furious that you dared to even think of leaving her side. You’ve only heard of this side of Arlecchino through whispers from her more seasoned agents-- the disturbed, unhinged persona that she only displayed for those who truly crossed her.
You soon realize you are only half right. Her eyes are like that of a predator looking at its fresh caught prey with a hint of disappointment-- as if she wished the chase was still afoot.
The other half was lust.
“You must think I am stupid to think I would believe such a pathetic lie.”
“I.. don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Arlecchino leans down, the spike of her heel digging painfully into your skin. You struggle, biting your lip to keep yourself from whimpering in discomfort. She looks down at you, giggling mirthlessly.
“Did you think I would not know? That’s quite naive.” The Habinger chides. “However, to be honest, I can forgive such childish thoughts. I am also a bit charmed by you as well.”
Oh.
So you weren’t as good at hiding your emotions as you thought.
“That- that isn’t what this is about!” You meekly try to protest. Your futile excuse is met with another laugh, somehow more unsettling than the last. Despite knowing of her darkness when you first joined the Fatui, this is the first time you’ve ever actually felt afraid of your superior. You can feel your heart thumping painfully against the shoe on your chest. Any more pressure and she may stab right through it, leaving you a bloody mess on her office floor. You can feel your mouth dry from your fear and increasing embarrassment.
Not going to lie, it turned you on a bit.
“You may be good at eliminating my opposition, but you are a terrible actor. Unconvincing to me,” Arlecchino uses the riding crop to lift your chin to look into your flustered eyes. “...and unconvincing to yourself.”
“Are you going to kill me?” You blurt out.
Arlecchino grins darkly, bending down. Her face is inches away from yours, the strands of her white hair ticking your nose.
“Of course not,” She whispers. “That would be quite wasteful of this moment.”
Her sharp, slender fingers caress your cheek. You can feel her cold breath on your skin.
You divert your eyes, a familiar flush painting your cheeks.
“With all due respect, My Lady, I hardly think this is appropriate.”
“I suppose you are correct. However, lying to your superior wasn’t appropriate either, was it?” Arlecchino responds. “Should I instead punish you for that?”
“I-”
Crack.
You cry out as the leather riding crop makes contact with your face. Fire spreads against your cheek and you look at Arlecchino with widened, shocked eyes. You try to get up, but the Harbinger is much more powerful than you. Arlecchino easily overpowers you, stradling you with her hips and pinning you to the ground with her arms painfully gripping your wrists.
“Look how pretty you are with that mark,” Arlecchino simpers, tracing the forming red welt on your cheek. “I can’t wait to make more.”
You murmur some soft words. Being manhandled like this, staring up at Arlecchino’s beautiful face, you can’t help but feel your stomach twist in knots as heat pools in your lower body. You realize how crazy her eyes actually are when she looks at you. Her heavy, excited breaths betray her ice cold demeanor. Arlecchino presses her mouth against yours. You happily oblige, closing your eyes as you lean forward. Her hand reaches to the back of your head, tugging your locks painfully. You gasp and she uses your involuntary response to push her tongue roughly into your mouth. You try to fight back and your tongues entangle in a sloppy battle for dominance. She wins of course, leaving no part of your mouth unexplored.
“Mmph…”
She pulls back. You both are breathing heavily now.
Damn. Why is this actually so hot?
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do this, Y/N. How long I’ve waited to make you mine,” Her words tingle in your ear, sending shivers down your back. “I’ve watched you from afar, studied your every move. But you never noticed, did you? So dutiful, so responsible. Always doing just as I command. The perfect person to be my perfect pet.”
You frown, furrowing your brows a bit.
“I rather not be treated as a pet, My Lady.”
“Is that so? Well, fortunately for me, I was not asking,” Arlecchino’s grin returns.
“After all, I am still your boss.” Arlecchino utters. She straightens up a bit as she reaches for her tie, undoing it. Arlecchino removes it from her neck before tying it around your head, covering your eyes. She gently kisses your eyes against the thin strip of black fabric.
“And now I am also your mistress.”
Her kisses trail your neck, kissing and suckling, as her hand slips under your shirt. You can feel her sharp fingers twist your already hardened nipples and you murmur. Suddenly, you yelp as Arlecchino sinks her teeth into your delicate flesh. You feel something warm slide against your skin and realize she’s drawn blood. You can hear her lick at your wound, savoring every last crimson drop.
When she sits up, Arlecchino wipes the remaining blood off her lips, smearing it against the sides with one swift motion. Her hand brushes against your nether regions, circling your entrance. She spits on her hand before pressing a finger inside you, using her saliva as lube.
“Don’t worry, being my pet would have its perks. Like me doting on you.”
You murmur, your breath hitching. It’s a bit uncomfortable at first, but you’re quickly squirming with pleasure, your mind becoming hazy. She scrapes against your walls which happily accept her intrusion. As you open your mouth to moan, you feel something wet fall into it. You choke a bit at first before realizing that Arlecchino just spit in your mouth.
You swallow it.
“Oh? Just like that? Did you like that? Ha. I didn’t know you were such a whore.” Arlecchino mocks you. She inserts another finger into you, stretching you out even more. Her fingers curl hitting you directly in your sweet spot and you arch your back, a loud groan escaping your lips.
How did she find it so quickly?
“Such a noisy little pet. You make such cute noises.”
Arlecchino continues to finger you- stretching, curling, pushing deeper into you until you’re a hot mess, tossing and turning your head as waves of pleasure course through you. Lewd noises fill the ornate office. You can feel a familiar knot in your stomach, curling up tightly as your moans become even more needy. The corners of her lips twitch upwards as she realizes you’re nearing your climax.
“My Lady…”
“Don’t tell me you’re about to cum already? Just from my fingers? How pathetic,” Arlecchino coos. With those words, she pulls her fingers from you, resting them right at your entrance. You can feel your climax come to an abrupt stop and you protest, trying to wiggle closer to her fingers that are just out of reach.
“Hey!”
The Knave raises an eyebrow, her tone dangerously low. “Hey?”
“I…I apologize, My Lady.”
“Hmph. For that, I should not even grant you your orgasm. However, since I am benevolent, I will forgive you and let you cum if you do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“You must withdraw your transfer application.”
“What?”
Even now she is thinking of that?
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Do you really still want to leave me, my love? There is no reason to go. I could give you anything you want. Anything you need. All I want is your worship.”
“Fine. I’ll withdraw it.”
You certainly weren’t planning on transferring, anyways. Not after this.
“Now say you worship me.”
“I…I worship you Lady Arlecchino. You’re my mistress.” You quickly sputter. You’re tripping on your words, saying anything you think she’ll want to hear. In the back of your mind, you’re a bit embarrassed being so needy in front of the Harbinger. However, shame could be felt later, you just wanted to get off now, your animalistic needs having completely taken over. Your insides dully throb in rhythmic torture, begging for a release. “Just please don’t leave me like this!”
“Hmm…Fine.”
Arlecchino’s fingers once again find themselves in you, but this time moving much quicker. She leans forward, kissing your neck, no doubt purposely leaving visible marks to warn everyone that you were now hers. You can feel your walls contract around her as you once again near a climax.
“Cum for me, Y/N”
Almost on her command, you cry out, your hot cum spilling over her fingers and the floor. In your lightheadedness, you can hear her low laugh. She uses her clean hand to push up your makeshift blindfold. The sudden light is a bit painful. As your eyes adjust to it, you look up at your lover through half lids. She hums with pleasure seeing the mess you’ve made.
Arlecchino pulls her fingers from you. She examines them, before smirking and licking your juices off her digits, eyeing you as she does. She smiles.
“You’ll always be by my side now, my beloved.”
#arlecchino#the knave#fatui harbingers#arlecchino x reader#arlecchino smut#arlecchino genshin#genshin impact#genshin x reader#genshin fanfic#gender neutral reader#cross posted on ao3
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here’s an idea i’d love to see you bring to life if it peaks your interest: alpha eddie and omega reader where it’s soon after they presented so her heat isn’t regulated yet and they are on a school trip or weekend away or something semi public like that and she gets her heat and obviously attracts the attention of other alphas in the school/area and he has to keep her safe/save her from said unruly alphas who want to mate her and he gets super protective and all strong alpha she’s mine vibes, that’s my thought, hope you like it xx
camp trails (alpha!eddie munson x omega!reader)
authors note: hi babes! thank you for the request, i love this idea and am a total simp for protective tropes. i have a small headache atm so i whipped this up fairly quickly, but i hope you enjoy! feedback and requests and welcomed :)
warnings: violence, sexual themes (18+)
The yearly trip to the camp grounds became mandatory for seniors this semester, making all the students dread the weekend afoot. Eddie had tried to wager with the teachers to allow him to drive himself, but he may have been the last person they would’ve allowed that to.
The bus came to a screeching halt, catapulting the unguarded students to the seat in front of them, a sequence of groans following. The doors swung open, greeted by the rural spring air that blew in as they made their way out.
Eddie grabbed your hand, walking out with you to observe his surroundings, nose scrunching at the cabins and broad lake. The water glistened with small ripples, some stray leaves floating on top with moss on the sides.
“Alright, line up!” Mr. Richmond hollered, diverting the attention to the man on top of the wooden block. A woman and a man stood on each side, wearing shirts with the camp's logo on it in teal font. The bag slung over your shoulder itched the bare skin there, shifting your shoulders uncomfortably.
There was a silent attendance being taken, the clipboard slotted in Mr. Richmond’s hands, a pen between his fingers as his eyes scanned the sea of 18 and 19 year olds, and one 20 year old with long brown hair.
“Now, we’ll go ahead and put our things away. Girls, you’ll be with Miss Carrie in the left cabin.” He instructed, the petite blonde waving, “And boys, you’ll be with Mr Anthony in the right cabin.”
Separating, you wandered into the spacious wooden chamber, choosing a bottom bunk near the door. Robin snagged the bed above yours, spraying some extra perfume on and running her hand through her short hair.
The other girls joked about what beds they would own for the night, giggling and teasing one another, making you smile. Since presenting, you spent a lot of time with Eddie, which you adored, but sometimes being surrounded by feminine energy was refreshing. The tug on your hand that sent you walking snapped you from your daze, Robin yanking you to her side as she laughed at your aloofness.
Joining the other students by the waterside, you felt lingering eyes on you while yours trained on the small snails going between the blades of debris. Crouching down, you sat gingerly on the damp grass, Robin joining beside you with less grace and a huff.
“Wonder how long it’ll be before a meathead starts a fight?” She pondered, glancing at the boys who were throwing around a football, their varsity jackets hung on a tree branch.
“At least we’ll get some entertainment.” You shrugged, plucking a small yellow flower from the unkept grounds, putting it behind your friend’s ear. She rolled her eyes, a pink flush coming across her cheeks nonetheless.
More students trickled out, bringing boomboxes and blankets, trying to make the most of this unwilling vacation. The squeak of combat boots came from behind you, glancing back to see your boyfriend, sitting and pulling you against his body.
Robin fake gagged, now used to this behavior from the two of you, but choosing to see where Vicky had run off to. Leaning against his shoulder, the heat was radiating off his black shirt, his arms not covered in jackets for once due to the warm air.
“Can’t believe we have to stay in separate rooms.” He complained, a pout on his lips that you desperately wanted to kiss away.
“I know, but it’s school rules and it’ll just be a night.” You assured, patting his thigh through his black jeans, noticing the way his muscles relaxed.
Meals were provided, just some sandwiches and chips, while a snack table did remain stocked. You sat with Eddie, Robin, and Vicky, sharing your joint disdain for the trip entirely. There was peace in knowing others were suffering in a similar fashion, not wanting to be the odd one out.
Separate pockets of students began ways to occupy themselves, Eddie joining a card game with fellow nerds and you went to paint with some of the other girls on the other part of the land. Unwarranted nerves pooled in your stomach, attributing it to being away from home, focusing on the task at hand instead.
Dipping a thin paint brush into the small jar of water that was now murky with blended colors, you began a simple skyline, adding unrealistic clouds of white. The girls around you were within arms reach, sat on the same tattered blanket, but somehow they couldn’t feel farther.
The inescapable loneliness that followed presenting wasn’t something you expected, but you were one of the first omegas in your year, something that made you different. It wasn’t easy to explain the alterations that came with presenting, both mentally and physically, causing a silent divide to your peers.
“I think I’m gonna go for a walk.” You announced, tilting your head towards the walking trail ahead, dim lights illuminating it. They affirmed nonchalantly, going back to their art and discussing which boy the thought would present next.
Stray fireflies joined you on your journey, tightening your jacket around your frame as a stick broke under your sneakers. Spotting a garden snake slithering by in the bushes, you smiled at how it reminded you of Eddie and his infatuation with reptiles. He was the type of kid to read books about the scaly creatures, knowing which were poisonous or harmless.
While he had been your best friend for many years, the newfound deeper connection made you feel conjoined. It felt odd to be away from him for too long, wanting to hear every detail of his day, from what shaving cream he used to what song he listened to in the car.
The sharp pain targeted your lower abdomen again, wincing as your eyes screwed shut. Your breath quickened as the air seemed to grow warmer, a sweat breaking as you looked around, until you felt a dampness under your dress.
All senses were replaced with fear and need, sitting on an old tree stump with your legs pulled to your chest. Your heat had just come 2 weeks ago, convincing yourself this must be a false one, but all the symptoms were analogous to those.
“Hey there.” You heard a low voice, seeing a boy from your English class named Jackson, sauntering closer. “Did you get lost?”
You remained silent as you remembered he had just presented as an alpha, having missed the beginning of the month for it. As if on cue, the sound of leaves crunching brought two more new alpha’s, Luke and Noah.
Gulping, you stood up, toying with the bottom of your dress as your eyes turned glossy. The slick was pooling in your underwear at this point, knowing it couldn’t be long till it trickled down your leg, squeezing your thighs in a pointless attempt to gain control.
“Need some help, gorgeous?” Luke smirked, inhaling deeply as he managed to walk you back into the large oak tree, birds shuffling out from the bundles of leaves. Instincts kicked in as you bolted, hoping to find an easy exit with the boys hot on your tail, yelling.
Meanwhile, Eddie had been engrossed in a game of poker when he smelt it, the hairs on his arms standing straight up as he tried to shake it off. Figuring it had to be another student, he finished the round, huffing at his loss of a smuggled can of beer.
The girls you had joined to paint with were walking to the cafeteria table, setting them to dry as he approached, questioning where you were as he didn’t even spot an extra canvas.
“She went for a walk, some boys went after her a few minutes ago because it was getting dark.” Tasha quipped, lighting a dusty candle on the table, illuminating the glossy artwork.
His feet went quicker than his mind as he cursed to himself, heart plummeting at the fear you were alone, stopping at the payphone to tell Jeff to take his car and Gareth to drive his van over and head back in Jeff’s. The trail was bigger than he thought, leading to various points in the park, trying to depend on his inclinations.
Avoiding the designated trail, he chose the unruly woods within it as he tried to find a shortcut. As each footprint was ingrained in the dirt, his indignation for this trip and scenario further solidified.
His movement was stopped when he heard a sharp yelp, sprinting despite the restrictive denim on his legs and weight of his boots. Once back on the trail, he kept his eyes peeled in all directions with clenched fists. The scent was more poignant now, knowing it was you who it belonged to, making his fear grow alongside the anger.
The sound of struggle carried through the trees before he finally found you, a peer with his arms wrapped around your waist with restricted arms as the other two tried meaningless attempts to calm you.
“Hey!” Eddie shouted, stomping over with such feverishness that the boy's all looked towards him, feeling the grip around you tighten, “Put her down.”
“Or what? I think the lady needs help, finders keepers, freak.” Noah sneered, standing in front of the boy who held you, but his powerful stance didn’t last long as a punch landed on his right cheek.
Another set of hands grabbed the back of Eddie’s collar, but the pure protective fury burning made him quickly turn and punch the other one down too. He put his hands around the neck of the one holding you, the man beginning to yell.
While these boys could take a hit, they saw the blind rage in Eddie’s eyes, not wanting to discover what he was capable of. It was one of the only perks about being the town freak, you were infamous enough to be gossiped about, but outlandish enough to be whatever you needed to be in the moment.
“Try that shit again with her or any other girl and I will make you an early grave.” He gritted as they clutched their afflictions, “She is my fucking omega and if you even look in her direction, I will make your life a living hell.”
The boys looked bewildered as he turned around, wondering if he’d freak out again on them, but his focus was on you, rushing you away.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” He asked, seeing how your focus was on your direct eyesight before you, not wavering to any other location. The tremble in your hands as he grabbed it only increased the farther you got to the exit.
Wordlessly scooping you in his arms, you finally allowed yourself to cry, the saltiness traveling down your cheeks and to your lips. Everything became muffled as you descended into your own headspace, embracing Eddie’s aroma that felt more prevalent than ever.
Unbeknownst to you, Robin rushed towards you both as Eddie asked for her to grab your bag. Seeing the sternness on his features and your fragile state, she complied without witt, rushing to the cabins.
Grateful to have called the boys, the keys to his own van were set on his bunk as he raced in, glad to not see any classmates. Quickly grabbing his bag, he marched over to his prized possession, yanking open the door to put you down. Robin came running with your own things, tossing it into the back seat and mentioning how she’ll inform a teacher on where you went.
“You gotta let go, baby. I just need to walk to the other side.” He consoled, trying to ease your placement from his neck, “Good girl.”
He jogged over, your frame already condensed into a ball, laying on your side with a slant due to the seatbelt. Kicking the car on, he tried obeying as many laws as he could consider, but his main focus was getting you somewhere safe.
He gave you his nightshirt from his bag, letting you simulate a nest until returning to the trailer park. A calming hand stroked your back lovingly, hushing your sounds of discontentment.
The arrival didn’t register in your brain until you were being tossed on Eddie’s blue sheets, eyes opening wide to take in your surroundings for a brief moment until his lips were on yours.
The taste on his tongue would never lose its power on you, feeling like you were discovering the eighth wonder of the world every time it trailed against your skin, making you come to peace with the safety created by him in the world of just the two of you.
“You’re my girl, my omega, I’m never going to let anyone hurt you.” He whispered, kissing your blazing skin as he undid your clothes, undoing any barrier you had internally with his words.
While each heat was overwhelming, there were always moments that brought you into a version of purgatory, not feeling neutral or spacey, or grounded. An area within our galaxy where you both were the only inhabitants, aliens to the outside world, but making perfect sense within them.
The language you conversed in belonged to your bodies, unable to process the communication outside of those times, finding your bodies knew each other long before your meeting years ago. You wondered if this feeling was common with every mating pair, but as you looked into his doe-brown eyes, you knew there was no way a world could be so cruel if they felt like this at least once in their lifetime.
taglist plus friends/people i saw enjoyed my other work :) let me know if you'd like to not be tagged: @elizabethmidnight2017 @iheartyouyou @forksloree @fantastic-fantasy-fanfics @sillypurplemurple @prettyboyeddiemunson @andvys @funsonmunson-again @ceriseheaven @indouloureux @lilacletter @edsforehead @akiratoro420 @corkadymu
#elora writes#eddie munson#eddie munson fluff#eddie munson imagines#eddie munson smut#eddie munson x reader#eddie munson gif#eddie munson stranger things#eddie munson x you#eddie munson drabble#eddie munson oneshot#stranger things s4#eddie munson x y/n#eddie munson x oc#eddie munson x female reader#eddie munson x female oc#alpha!eddie munson#alpha!eddie munson x omega!reader#a/b/o universe#a/o/b#a/b/o stranger things#a/b/o smut
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'S is for Sauron,' said Gimli. 'That is easy to read.'
'Nay!' said Legolas. 'Sauron does not use the elf-runes.'
'Neither does he use his right name, nor permit it to be spelt or spoken,' said Aragorn. 'And he does not use white. The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the Red Eye.' He stood for a moment in thought. 'S is for Saruman, I guess,' he said at length. 'There is evil afoot in Isengard, and the West is no longer safe. It is as Gandalf feared: by some means the traitor Saruman has had news of our journey. It is likely too that he knows of Gandalf's fall. Pursuers from Moria may have escaped the vigilance of Lórien, or they may have avoided that land and come to Isengard by other paths. Orcs travel fast. But Saruman has many ways of learning news. Do you remember the birds?'
'Well, we have no time to ponder riddles,' said Gimli. 'Let us bear Boromir away!'
'But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rightly,' answered Aragorn.
'Maybe there is no right choice,' said Gimli.
I've posted about this before but I love when Gimli is petty. Just because you were wrong doesn't mean there's no answer, baby boy.
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Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field; on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune, wrought of some white metal.
‘I have not seen these tokens before,’ said Aragorn. ‘What do they mean?’ ‘S is for Sauron,’ said Gimli. ‘That is easy to read.’ ‘Nay!’ said Legolas. ‘Sauron does not use the elf-runes.’ ‘Neither does he use his right name, nor permit it to be spelt or spoken,’ said Aragorn. ‘And he does not use white. The Orcs in the service of Barad-dûr use the sign of the Red Eye.’ He stood for a moment in thought. ‘S is for Saruman, I guess,’ he said at length. ‘There is evil afoot in Isengard, and the West is no longer safe. It is as Gandalf feared: by some means the traitor Saruman has had news of our journey. It is likely too that he knows of Gandalf’s fall. Pursuers from Moria may have escaped the vigilance of Lórien, or they may have avoided that land and come to Isengard by other paths. Orcs travel fast. But Saruman has many ways of learning news. Do you remember the birds?’
‘Well, we have no time to ponder riddles,’ said Gimli. ‘Let us bear Boromir away!’
‘But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rightly,’ answered Aragorn.
‘Maybe there is no right choice,’ said Gimli.
The Three Hunters contemplating the allegiance of the orcs they fought at Amon Hen. Two Towers, The Departure of Boromir.
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Tea Time
This fic is part of this writing challenge, as well as based on the prompt Tea Time from this prompt list.
Day 3 - Use the words: kitchen, date, music
[Read on AO3]
It has been a few days since Caduceus heard news from his blue tiefling friend, Jester. It doesn’t bother him much because he knows if something wrong happened, someone would have contacted him already, but he has to admit that he misses his friend’s bubbly voice in the mornings wishing him a good day and telling him news from home. Caleb doesn’t contact him as much as Jester does, so his silence is not as worrying, and as for Veth, she rarely messages him anyway. Of all his friends (they truly are nine now), only these three have means to communicate through long distances (well, them and Essek, but since the Drow is still a fugitive, there aren’t many opportunities for him to contact Caduceus or to appear at the grove), so Caduceus never expects the rest of the Nein to reach out.
But, as it happens, sometimes silence does not mean good things are afoot, and even if bad news travels fast, on some occasions, it doesn’t travel as fast as a teleporting purple Elf who appears in the middle of Caduceus’s garden. The Firbolg man is elbows-deep in mulch when a hint of purple and silver light flickers a mere few feet ahead of him and Essek, in his dark purple and black robes and curly white hair, flashes into existence.
“Mr. Clay,” The man greets, huffing as if he has been running for miles and miles. “I am sorry to appear unannounced. I was wondering if you have heard news from our friends?”
“Now, now. Take deep breaths, Mr. Essek,” Caduceus’s voice is calm as there is no need to panic just yet. He dusts off his hands and wipes them on a rag hanging from the pocket of his gardening apron, then adjusts the large brimmed sun hat on his head and takes a long good look at his guest. Essek’s hair is disheveled, his eyes are full of fear and worry, and his robes are somewhat askew. The nails of his shaky hands are bitten harshly, but what makes Caduceus worry the most is that the Drow’s feet are touching the ground. Essek must be in a real state of distraught if he didn’t even bother to cast his levitation spell.
“Please, come inside. Let me make you some tea,” Caduceus offers. Essek nods and follows him inside the cozy cottage. He sits on the stool at the kitchen table and watches as Caduceus removes his apron and cleans his hands. He then brings a kettle to boil on the wooden stove top and prepares two mugs with loose-leaf tea. Essek watches, his eyes wide and pupils blown and a leg shaking underneath the table, but he doesn’t speak.
“I have not heard from anyone in a few days,” Caduceus pours the boiling water over the leaves in the teapot and closes the lid to let it steep. He then sits down on a second stool in front of Essek. “I didn’t think anything of it.”
“I am afraid that something has happened, Mr. Clay,” Essek’s hands shake on his lap. “Caleb—Mr. Widogast and I had a… meeting of sorts scheduled for last night,” Essek’s purple cheeks deepen in color at this information and he hesitates. Caduceus shifts his gaze to the teapot between them to allow the man to gather his thoughts in privacy. After a few seconds of silence, Essek continues, “You know he never forgets anything. He is always on time, but last night… he didn’t appear, Mr. Clay, and I can’t help but fear that something has happened.”
Caduceus ponders the information in silence. He slowly removes the strainer of tea leaves from the teapot and pours two cups, one for him, one for Essek, who takes his with shaky hands. Caleb does indeed have a keen memory and an even keener punctuality, so if Essek is this distraught about his friend missing their “meeting”, then it must certainly be a big deal. But Caduceus isn’t learned in magic like Essek and Caleb, who get their arcane knowledge from books. Instead, he gets his powers from his deity and nature, so he has no way to contact his friends, but maybe the Wildmother can help.
“I have an idea, Mr. Essek,” he finally says. Essek’s eyes snap up with hope, but the Firbolg doesn’t offer any more information. Instead, he rises from his stool and walks out onto the grove. Essek tracks behind, towards a nook where the Clay family holds a shrine in honor of the Wildmother. On a stone pedestal sits a clay statue of the Goddess, a full-figured body enveloped by wild tangles of hair, leaves and vines, and underneath, a wreath of leaves and dried berries with a crooked staff in the middle. Caduceus gestures to a fallen log nearby, inviting Essek to sit before the Firbolg sits cross-legged in front of the statue. He gestures his hand to the ground and mushrooms, flowers and other greenery appear from the earth, as if the cleric has grown them himself, then he lights up a stick of incense and pours a bottle of a translucent liquid into a small bowl.
Caduceus closes his eyes and concentrates for a minute. The rustle of leaves turns into the sound of crashing waves, the smell of the moist earth beneath him becomes the salty scent of the ocean, and the music of the wind-chimes shifting in the morning breeze is replaced by the loud scream of gulls in the distance. When he opens his eyes, Caduceus sees that the hard rock he sits on ends on a tall, rough cliff, dozens of feet above the crashing waves of the Lucidian Ocean.
“Hello, Wildmother,” he says, smiling. An ocean-scented breeze caresses his cheek and ruffles his hair in greeting. “I was wondering if you have news from my friends. Are they together?” The breeze is soft and temperate when it rustles his pink hair, and for a moment, Caduceus swears he hears a warm, feminine voice whisper Some are. “Are any of them hurt?” Caduceus asks. The wind turns warm and brings the scent of copper in affirmation. His stomach turns nervously. Caduceus only has one question left, so he ponders his words well before he says, “Are they coming to seek my help?” Again, the warm breeze shifts past in affirmation, but this time it carries with the familiar scent of the Blooming Grove. Caduceus nods politely and wishes goodbye to the goddess. When he opens his eyes, Essek is standing on his feet, glaring anxiously.
“We must prepare,” Caduceus explains as calmly as he can, “They are alive but hurt. We need to get ready to help.” Essek nods, and as soon as his host is on his feet, he stalks him inside, where they ready cots, herbs, poultices and anything they might need.
Right on cue, as Essek finishes wiping the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his cloak, a light flickers outside, bright orange like fire, and Caleb, Beauregard and Yasha fall to the ground, bloodied and gushing for air. Essek runs as fast as his legs allow him—he notices he’s out of shape since he rarely uses them anymore—to hold Caleb aloft as Caduceus runs to Beau and her Wife.
“There is no time for questions,” Caleb’s voice is hoarse, his face is scratched and blood gushes from his abdomen. Essek shakes his head and raises him to his feet, but both men’s legs shake with the weight. “Scheiße,” Caleb curses between his teeth, covering his injury with his free hand.
“Mr. Clay, we could use some help over here,” Essek’s voice shakes. His pupils are wide and refuse to leave the red stain that keeps growing on his lover’s torso. Caduceus runs back from the doorway where he left a not-so-injured Yasha to carry Beau and holds Caleb on the opposite side of Essek. Together, they manage to bring him inside and lie him on a spare cot and the healer is on him in an instant, cleaning the wound and channeling the Wildmother’s powers to cure him.
Caleb raises his rough hand to Essek’s damp face, a thumb wiping the tears that fall silently, and the Drow leans into the touch with his eyes closed. He knows one day the fugitive life will catch up to him and permanently separate him from the human he cares for so much, but Essek never considered the possibility that his lover could be the one to find himself on the wrong end of a sword sooner rather than later. Yet, here he is. Barely alive, yes, but here. “Sorry I missed our date, liebling,” Caleb apologizes with longing in his voice. It still pains him to see his frail human so hurt, so full of guilt for failing his promise. They don’t have many opportunities to be together, so they treasure every second, and for Caleb, missing out on a full day of Essek cuddles and reading must have been torture. So Essek smiles, even if it doesn’t reach his eyes, and says, “Do not worry Caleb Widogast. I will make sure you make it up to me.”
#critical role#cr fic#mighty nein#caduceus clay#essek thelyss#caleb widogast#shadowgast#<- background relationship#prompted#november writing challenge#in which I forgot how to spell 'caduceus' halfway through the fic
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The Caesar comment got my brain buzzing, mostly because Caesar took over modern civilization at the time by marching his troops on his own city. He wanted drastic change. History views him as the hero only because he was a “successful” dictator. (Lots of military poweress = land, gold, slaves, plus he followed after two morally AWFUL dictators while having some semblance of morality himself. Plus a tragic untimely death.). Caesar could have so easily have been a villain, had he not been followed by a very very successful adoptive son who ADORED him and venerated his name. I think Homie understands the parallels between himself and Caesar, considering what a history buff he is.
Anyways I am now pondering if he’s gonna try to take over the world ala the comics. An army of Supes led by him. What a silly lil guy!
honestly, I could write an essay on the show directly comparing him to Caesar. the man was fully aware of the conspiracy to kill him, but outright refused to take ANY precautions. even rejected body guard/escorts. when you think about Homelander's birthday speech, the attitude really falls in line.
if they're planning to continue the show without Homelander (boooooo), his death would absolutely martyr him to the supe army he's apparently raising. death is a flattering color on public figures.
while I don't think the show is headed for full on apocalyptic war (they don't seem to have the budget for that lol) i do think the divide is going to grow more intense than just Starlighters vs Hometeamers. the crazy thing being that most humans don't even realize the supe revolution is afoot.
it's not a matter of politics anymore. hundreds ( if not thousands ) of children (who're adults now) have been abused, experimented on and exploited. we're headed for a major upheaval, and Homelander is the king at the center of it.
#the issue is so much more complicated than i feel like even the show is really acknowledging#like gen v did a pretty terrible job of convincing anyone that cate was wrong#all they did was say 'ooo she's bad bc violence!! violence is never the answer!!!!'#THEY HAD CHILDREN IN CAGES FORMULATING DEADLY ILLNESSES ON THEM#homelander#ask and you shall receive
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Healer Playbooks
Healers take care of the clan, they often stay behind within the clan territory, collecting herbs and treating other cats' illnesses or wounds. They aren’t necessarily fighters, but have minor training in self-defense to ensure they can protect themselves in an emergency. Healers are highly esteemed for their medical proficiency and connection to Star Clan. Once a cat decides to be a Healer, their lives are devoted to Star Clan. They forgo romantic relationships and having offspring, choosing to see their fellow clan members as siblings and children.
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Herbalist
These cats don't necessarily need all the bells and whistles that come along with being the clan’s healer and are happy specializing in herbs, and medicine. Despite their more simple path, the clan Herbalist shouldn't be underestimated, their expertise could mean the difference between life and death. This cat works quickly on their paws, ultimately being the best healing class you could go for. Often these cats are intelligent, observant, and quick.
Add +2 Intelligence to Ability Score.
Add +2 in Smell, +1 in See, and +1 in Focus Skills.
Knacks:
Herb Lore
(1 intelligence chip.)
An Herbalist knows any herb within their clan territory. When encountering a plant outside of the clan, they may roll Intelligence + Medicine check to discover its name and properties.
Star Clan’s Wisdom
(1 Spirit Chip.)
This Knack may only be thrice once per long rest.
Star Clan’s Wisdom fills your cat with guidance and relief. This Knack gives your cat, or any ally advantage on any intelligence based skill roles.
Adrenaline Boost
(2 Strength Chips.)
Herbalists can create a plant based concoction that provides a temporary 1d6 to any cat’s Strength die pool.
Savior
(3 Spirit Chips.)
Your cat prevents another from dying, essentially giving the player a second chance at rolling their death saves. If successful, this does not awaken the cat and their Harm will go from Fading to Severe. This can only be used once per-day.
Recover
(3 Spirit Chips.)
Your cat gives themselves or an ally an herb that works like a Cat Nap, rejuvenating half the chips they lost.
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Ritualist
Although they may not possess the abilities of a Stoneteller, Ritualists reach Star Clan through more physical means. Performing offerings, casting stones, and carefully arranging insects, you can connect with Star Clan and even bring about miracles. Ritualists often entertain cats who ask about their destiny and fate. Holding séances, and observing their surroundings for signs or prophecies to give answers and theories regarding others' lives. Due to their strange or eccentric nature, it can be easy to brush off their signs as meaningless guesswork. These cats are often strange, confident, and paranoid.
Add +2 Spirit to Ability Score.
Add +2 in See, +1 in Ponder, and +1 in Arch Skills.
Knacks:
Omen
(1 Spirit Chip.)
The Omen Knack ensures your cat will get some sort of physical sign. Roll a 1d6 to determine how clear or vague the sign is. 6 being the clearest, and 1 being the vaguest.
Mimicry
(1 Spirit Chip.)
Your cat perfectly recreates the meow of another, their voice sounding hauntingly unlike their own. The Mimicry Knack allows a cat to imitate the voice of another cat, or animal. This can be used to trick others to believe you’re someone you’re not.
Fortune Teller
(2 Spirit Chips.)
The Fortune Teller Knack involves a set of carved stones, shells, or sticks. The Ritualist tosses them and they infer the answer to a cat’s question regarding their future, love life, death, or luck. Roll a 1d6 to determine how accurate the fortune is.
Twitchy Tail
(2 Spirit Chips.)
Something fishy is afoot, your cat knows it, its tail whips and quivers in anticipation. Twitchy Tail allows your cat to anticipate ambushes, impending natural disasters, or worse. This knack should be during a dangerous mission or journey. A Twitchy Tail helps your cat warn allies that danger is nearby, and everyone should move with caution or prepare for action.
Spirit Speaker
(3 Spirit Chips.)
Your cat must gather 3 moths and a dried lily. From there they may speak a summoning call, the words of this call are left up to the player. Once complete, a dead creature may speak through your cat. Your cat must make a Strength + Faith roll after every answer or they will break concentration and the ritual will end.
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Nightshade
While some healers avoid using poisons, Nightshades are well-versed in the effects and antidotes of poisonous herbs. What these cats do with their knowledge could be ruthless, a quiet slip of death berries in someone’s fresh kill, the dousing of nightshade on their claws, could end anyone’s life in an instant. However, Nightshades use their expertise to protect their clan and medicine supply. While they may seem intimidating, they are simply skilled fighters with the ultimate goal of protecting their clan. These cats are calculated, sneaky, and scary.
Add +2 Strength to Ability Score.
Add +2 in Arch, and +1 in Focus, and +1 in Wrestle Skills.
Knacks:
Poison Lore
(1 Intelligence Chip.)
Nightshades have a great deal of knowledge around poisonous herbs and berries. They understand their various effects and how deadly they are. If interacting with an unknown plant, the cat must make a ponder check with advantage to determine its name and properties.
Antidote
(2 Intelligence Chips.)
Thanks to your cat’s knowledge on poison, they have an instinctive grasp on what herbs can remedy poison. A cat may be able to reduce the spread of poison if they can act fast enough. Your cat must make a Focus check with advantage to see if they can deliver the antidote in time.
Night Claw
(3 Intelligence Chips.)
Your cat carefully coats their claws with nightshade, making their claws deadly. The poison may be applied to your cat or another’s claws. This gives a 1d6 bonus to any claw based attack, and the damaged foe takes 1 Harm at the start of their turn until dead or healed.
Fear
(3 Spirit Chips.)
Your cat tosses out spores or dust of a hallucinogenic plant onto enemies. Quickly they find themselves going mad with terror, screaming and running from things that aren’t there. When the Fear Knack is used, enemies must make a DC 4 Focus check to avoid succumbing to their delusions. If failed, they will run from the fight, if succeeded they will face disadvantage on their skill checks.
#warriors rp#warrior cats#warrior cats adventure game#prototypes#warrior cats rp#warrior cat ocs#warrior cats art#warrior cats rewrite#warriors rp game#warriors dnd#warriors ttrpg
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I know this question will likely be answered next week, but what impact do you speculate that A.B.A.'s appearance will have, either personally or in the broader narrative since Asuka has voiced his fascination with her in his Arcade Story and compared her to the "Valentine Concept"?
Hmm, interesting question...
In terms of her appearance, based on questions fielded to Ishiwatari, they said that A.B.A. has been "more exposed to the outside world" and has adjusted her appearance and mindset to reflect on that.
(Now, you could argue that's just pandering as a retcon in some circles BUUUT...)
Having seen her "alt colors" and even her classic color look (not to mention potential for fanbase mods)... to me personally it's a NON issue.
Back on Topic, the impact A.B.A. will have on the grander scope of Guilty Gear's story is actually somewhat difficult to fathom.
We first discovered her existence in the Flask Laboratory back during the events of Guilty Gear Isuka (which took place some time after 2181), and as far as her involvement goes, she has mostly been connected with the P.W.A.B. in various odd ways.
Years have passed and the P.W.A.B. is now reformed along with the Conclave, not to mention Gears have become Citizens of Illyria, so it is not as though being "irregular" or "non human" would make A.B.A. stand out in a crowd any longer.
The new stage is called "Fallen Prayer, Engulfed Lives" though previous fans may recognize it as Heaven's Edge.
Previously it was thought that A.B.A. was on a quest to find a body for Paracelsus (Flament Nagel), but we also know he has a connection with the past and the Crusades.
Likely Flament Nagel's change in to something "darker" portends to a greater plot afoot, perhaps related to events connected with Happy Chaos.
Technically speaking, Flament Nagel is one of the "Ancient War Relics" that is Asuka's great task to dispose of... old war weapons from the Crusades that should not exist in any dangerous form.
Of course, saying that, A.B.A. wouldn't let anyone touch Flament Nagel over her dead corpse...
So what can a living weapon do in a society that no longer permits War and Conflict? How does a Beast exist when Mankind continues to fear it in to obscurity?
Of course, it is the P.W.A.B.'s task to safely maintain and observe any dangerous threats that exist in this world... Flament Nagel is no exception.
But perhaps at one point A.B.A. might be put to greater use as a Warrior for Illyria's Cause of Peace?
One key thing to ponder though: just how much of Flament's "Dark History" involving the Crusades will come to light?
Will his "peaceful" relationship with A.B.A. continue? Or will something happen?
Will the "Sanguine Gale" create more bloody history?
The story isn't over yet.
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Evaludate Episode 96: Blood Splatoon (Crius Castlerock of even if Tempest, Part 1)
Summary:
Today on Evaludate: who has time for witch trials and murder mysteries when there's BIRD POLITICS afoot! Commander Crius gets slut-shamed, and we ponder the motivations of our catboy timeloop administrator.
Content Warnings:
Self-harm: (36:21 - 36:29)
Suicide: (43:25 - 45:15)
Child abuse: (55:47 - 56:12)
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kanej fic masterlist
Minor Miracles (2k words, rating: T) - Inej tells Kaz stories from the True Sea; Kaz ponders other miracles--namely, the girl beside him.
see it in your face, i’m relief (2k words, rating: T) - A moment in the Van Eck garden for Kaz to fall even farther in love with Inej.
secretly, between the shadow and the soul (4k words, rating: T) - In which Inej’s parents are all-too-eager to make Kaz into their son-in-law. Truthfully, he doesn’t much mind.
love is not love which alters when it alteration finds (4k words, rating: T) - Kaz and Inej, celebrating a marriage anniversary.
in hope, yours (4.5k words, rating: T) - Belgium, 1923. Inej and Kaz Rietveld adjust to a changing world and, perhaps, learn to grow something new. Inspired by Whitherward’s brilliant WWI AU, “save the undone years.”
In the Wild Soft Summer Darkness (5k words, rating: T) - As the summer heat scorches in Ketterdam, Kaz and Inej take to Kaz’s childhood home in the countryside. Of course, each of them seems to have a separate scheme afoot; whether to savor the season’s sweetness, or to let it slip away.
let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments (5k words, rating: T) - In which Kaz & Inej negotiate the particularities of a marriage contract—for the tax benefits, of course, but also for the sake of their undying devotion to one another.
and there’s a drawer of my things at your place (6k words, rating: T) - 5 times Inej learns something about Kaz’s living habits + 1 time he learns something about hers.
(and you know that I'd) swing with you for the fences, sit with you in the trenches (6k words, rating: T) - After a week of sleepless nights at sea, Inej returns to Kaz in Ketterdam, but old wounds are hard to heal.
softly sleeping, here in the deep end of someone who loves me (6k words, rating: T) - 5 times Inej sneaks into Kaz’s bed + 1 time she doesn’t.
let me come home (to you) (6k words, rating: T) - Collaboration fic with @alltheworldsinmyhead. Sometimes, the time for hard conversations comes in the middle of the night.
To Give, Then to Receive (6k words, rating: T) - Three gifts given by Kaz, and one received.
someone to watch over me (7k words, rating: T) - In which Inej catches one too many eyes while seeking information at a mercher’s soirée, and Kaz can’t help but cut in before the last dance.
Sea Change (16k words, rating: T) - In the months following her departure on the Wraith, Inej comes to learn that the sea is as restless as her own heart. Oceans away in Ketterdam, Kaz cannot help but follow her lead. A story in four parts.
Sea Glass (rating: T, ongoing fic anthology) - A collection of fics and fragments, short and sweet, centered on Kaz & Inej post-Crooked Kingdom.
the heart heeds helplessly (1k words, rating: M) - In which Inej discovers the romance of poetry and religion, not just in the soul, but in the body as well.
Lingers Sweetly on the Lips (3k words, rating: M) - A quiet, intimate night in between Kaz and Inej, whatever names they choose to take.
collision course (10k words, rating: M) - Inej adjusts to Kaz the way that winter adjusts to spring: she thaws, and thaws, and thaws—and then she utterly melts. (Bonus drabble: sea to the shore, 375 words, rating: T)
what a mother wants (10k words, rating: M) - Kaz and Inej are taking their three-year-old daughter to visit the Suli caravans for the first time, and Inej wants what all mothers want: for her child to be happy and safe. It is no surprise that her own mother wants the very same.
what a mother was (62k words, rating: M) - Before she was Inej’s mother, Shanta Ghafa had a mother too. Or: Mama & Papa Ghafa’s love story. Prequel to “what a mother wants,” but can be read as a standalone fic.
Note: some of these fics are only available to read for registered ao3 users, so you have to have an account and be logged in to access them.
Finally, if you’re searching for more kanej/SOC fic, I tag all of my recommendations #fic recs.
#pinning this for reference - I hope it's helpful :)#P.S. my personal favorite fic I've written is 'what a mother wants' if you're looking for a place to start#camelia writes#fic masterlist#kanej#six of crows fanfic#Kaz Brekker#inej ghafa#six of crows#crooked kingdom#kanej fluff#kaz x inej#kanej fic#grishaverse#kanej fanfiction
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Familiar Face
And now we are officially up to date and I have more chapters to write. Please be patient with me as I am not as creative as I once was and often have brain fog or I'm working lmao.
Comments are always welcome!
Prologue - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - A03 Mirror
Taglist: @skittleabyss
The first time he saw her eyes was when he finally let her go after dragging her to the ground and holding a knife to her throat.
She had been dumb enough to accept his excuse of some brain creature skulking in the bushes and he took the opportunity to hold a knife to her throat and demand answers. Granted, he was mistaken to assume she had anything to do with his kidnapping, but everything was all too new to him and she was the first person he came across after escaping his pod. The new mental connection they shared due to the parasite helped settle the matter between them, and when they stood he finally got a good look at the woman he aimed to attack.
A simple human girl, standing at 5'2" and her hair disheveled from the crash landing. She was obviously looked to be no threat to anyone, her face was once that you could trust, she was cute, to say the least.
But her eyes.
Astarion had spent centuries bringing back the most beautiful souls throughout the city for his master, spending so many nights staring into a strangers eyes and whispering the sweetest lies his tongue can manage. He was a master at seduction, easily taking each and every one of them to bed in his master's palace before sending them off to their doom at the hands of the man who gave him the gift and curse of immortality. He's seen every color of eyes a person could think of. However there was something about her gaze that shifted something within him.
Over time he found himself looking at them more with every conversation they had. Obviously to hold proper conversation, it's only polite to look someone in the eyes during the discussion, but as time went on he would ponder if she would come speak to him while she made her nightly rounds at camp, even just for a moment so he could look into those eyes of her and get lost in them for just a brief period of time.
They held so much warmth, like they were just inviting anyone who met her gaze in.
As much as the young woman looked to be cute and innocent, she could double wield daggers like no one he's ever seen before. The moment a battle is afoot, her warm, inviting eyes shifting into something darker. She would only have one thing on her mind and that would be taking down each and every enemy that stood in her way. Once the fight was over, it was like she was a completely different person, the comforting orbs gone as she'd pickpocket the corpses and once Astarion thought he was finally seeing the real Tav, she'd shift back to normal with a bright smile while raving about all the cool stuff her found and would definitely hoard in her tent as though it was going to serve any purpose to her.
Perhaps it was because it was so easy to read her emotions just from a look, admiring the way she can so easily slip from a blood thirsty assassin to a confidant you can spill all your secrets to and know they will be kept forever.
That is probably why when he finally saw her face after ascending and gaining his newfound freedom and seeing how absolutely distraught she was from his actions, he secretly wished he hated her eyes and the way she looked at him from then on to avoid feeling any sense of guilt that came bubbling up from under the surface.
It did only last a moment, the guilt subsiding as the powers flowed through and clouded his mind, he was able to finally basking in the light after spending it so long in the darkness. Regardless of what she thought of his decision, she did help him by showing him what the contact on his back looked like. For that he figured she would get over it, and he'd once again be welcomed in with her warm gaze and bright smile.
Asking her to join him in immortality was their breaking point. He could see how pained she was over the request, even as he tried to convince her this was the choice to make, it further cemented the fact they would not last. She had become adamant she was no pet or spawn. She was her own person, and in a way Astarion respected her for the decision, knowing she was too smart to allow herself to be degraded further just for his approval. She was right, she would have likely ended up a puppet for him to control had he turned her- And there would be no doubt those beautiful eyes he once adored so much would vanish into the blood red ones of an immortal being.
When the battle with the Netherbrain was over and the dust began to settle among the city, it was a matter of time before the heroes of Baldur's Gate split up and go their separate ways. The first of which being Tav and Gale.
Astarion should have figured Gale would leech off of his leftovers, this entire adventure he wasn't blind to the way he looked at her as they spoke. Somehow she had won the heart of her companions one by one, likely because of those damn eyes of hers. It's not as though it was up to Astarion to say anything or judge her for her decisions. He ignored the voice in the back of his head stating he needed to convince her to stay by his side instead of retreating to Waterdeep with the Wizard, but he had no use for her anymore. She made her choice and if she wasn't willing to spend eternity in each other's arms, that was her loss. Gale can have his fun with her, Astarion had a city to build up and rule with an iron fist.
So why did it cause something to stir deep inside himself the last time he looked into her eyes? Was it because he knew it would be the last time he'd ever see them again- See her again?
She had already bargained with him to keep his plans in the city, stating it was big enough to rule and fill with as many spawn as he deems fit. Her gaze stern and full of passion as she threatened to come back and end his reign if she were to get wind of any straying vampires that had been sired by Lord Astarion himself. It was cute the way she thought she could defeat him, but he allowed her to ramble on just so he can revel in her presence one last time. The world was different to him, yes, but she hadn't changed and it definitely struck something familiar within him that made him want her around all the time.
Saying their goodbyes, he would never admit out loud how awful it was to watch the sadness return to her eyes as she dismissed herself to travel alongside Gale. Their eyes had been locked together for perhaps a moment too long and he watched her mask crack, all that joy she once carried as they spoke about their victory vanishing for a moment as though her feelings towards him bubbled up to the surface and she was ready to explode.
Reminding himself he did not need her any longer, he watched her turn away and begin her new journey towards a new life. She didn't look back, much to his annoyance, but he had work to do.
Years of pushing his feelings down, fighting back the urge to send out spawn to other areas just to see if it would summon her to him so she could keep him all to him, it had taken him a while to set everything aside and focus entirely on gaining popularity among the citizens of the city and using his powers to his advantage. It was easy to slip into a new routine, create his own army of obedient spawn and gain the Lordish he so desired. He may have lost those eyes forever, but he had a new life of his own to live.
Which is why he was so taken back staring into yours.
The mask had been discarded on the bed, pulling him from his thoughts of checking in on you and realizing you were no longer shielding your identity. Your presence was still in the room, but it was possible you had hidden yourself out of fear of what could happen next, although he intended no harm by putting you in a secluded room away from any wandering mouths looking for a neck to feed from.
He was a fool to get lost in his thoughts, the moment his fingertips brushed against the mask in his hands, he could feel you moving behind him. You were on his back before he could grab you, your hand gripped his hair to yank his head back, the other hand bringing your blade to his throat and he couldn't stop the amused smile to cross his face. Your efforts to gain the upper hand were cute, but it was obvious he was too naive to simply do a kind thing for a stranger without having them attack him after learning what he was. He needed to kill you.
He hands were on you before you could blink, one grabbing the knife that pressed against his throat to pull you off his back and in front of him, the other clasped around your throat as he shoved you into the wall and pressed his body against yours. He could still have his fun with you before he drank you dry, knowing for a fact nobody in this city would come looking for her. He slammed her wrist against the wall, causing her grip on the blade to loosen and the knife fell to the floor with a clatter.
Astarion pulled back his head to look down at him, drink in the fear on your face and relish in the sound of you begging for your life.
But when you opened your eyes to meet his stare, his entire body froze and his thoughts were completely clouded with memories of her.
You were frightened, that much was obvious, but you held the same warmth he hadn't been able to see for half a decade. He could stare into your eyes and revel in it's beauty as he once did long ago, and although it wasn't obvious to you, it caused something pushed deep down within himself to stir.
His mouth came crashing down onto yours the moment he saw you part your lips to speak. He didn't need the illusion to be broken just yet, he needed you to be his long lost love- If even just for a moment. His grip remained on her to keep her in place, but it was no longer to be taken as a threat on her life.
You were lost in a mess of lips, tongue and teeth. His kisses were painful and likely bruising your lips as he pushed for something deeper. You couldn't even gather your thoughts, your other hand gripping onto his unbuttoned shirt as the hand around your neck slid down your chest, feeling the skin exposed from your blunging neckline. His touch was freezing, fingertips just barely grazing your skin but causing a shiver to run down your entire body. It was intoxicating, you can feel yourself getting lost with every movement of his lips against his. It felt way too good, more intense than anything you had ever experienced before.
But it was wrong, you barely knew him, and his reaction to having a knife held to his throat was to kiss you?
You push your hand against his chest, an effort to shove him off of you but he was strong. His grip on your wrist seemingly tightened as the kiss deepened, he quietly moaned against your lips, drinking you in as if you were his first meal in days.
When he pulled his mouth away, you could see his disheveled he looked from his actions. His eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, boring into you as if silently commanding you to remain still. He ducked his head to press kisses against the skin of your neck, causing the warmth to pool in your lower abdomen, the area always being a weakness for you as you feel his lips part and his tongue sweep across your delicate skin.|
"St-" You gasp, trying to form any sense in your own mind in order to command him to stop.
"Yes, little love?" He purred, nuzzling his nose against your pulse and relishing in how quickly it was beating for him.
"Get off me." You finally manage, your voice betraying you as you tried to remain stern, "Please, I just want to go home."
Astarion paused, his breath lingering on your neck for a moment before he pulled back to look into your eyes once more. The desire and lust subsiding from his expression as he seemed to peer into your very soul and read your every thought. With him this close it was hard to gather yourself, hard to breath.
"Tell me, pet, where is home to you?" He asked curiously, tilting his head in question while keeping you where you stood, his breathing heavier as he came down from the rush of your kiss. "Have you finally returned to me?"
"I have never met you before in my entire life." You spit back, wiggling yourself beneath his grasp in a poor effort to create more distance between you both. "Waterdeep, I'm from Waterdeep, please. I mean no trouble."
"Says the one who held a dagger to my throat the first chance she got." He muttered, narrowing his eyes at you to try and understand your intentions. His grip on your wrist did loosen, allowing it to drop back down to your side limply as you wait for him to release you from your spot between his body and the wall.
"And you kissed me in response, ask me who was more out of line here." You whisper back, noticing how the reality of the situation cross his features and he finally steps back to give you the space you were looking for. "Or who has more questionable intentions."
Astarion ran a hand through his hair, seemingly frustrated from not thinking his actions through. He hadn't acted like this in years, the way he got so lost in his own delusions of a past long gone- It was foolish of him to kiss you like you were his lost love.
"My apologies, you simply reminded me of someone I once knew." He replied, a touch more quiet than his usual tone.
"Seemed like quite the person if you were willing to shove your tongue down my throat." You chided, a subtle laugh bubbling up in your throat at the thought. "For a moment there I thought that was just how vampires greet their guests."
"That's a completely different event, my dear."
A pause lingered in the air, you stared at him with wide eyes before he snapped back into reality and a smirk crossed his lips.
"A joke. Are you always this serious?" He laughed, watching the way the tension left your shoulders at the reveal of his own joke.
"It's not every day you end up passing out at a party full of vampires, I thought Baldur's Gate was abandoned for the most part. Forgive me for being a little on edge, my lord." You reply in a mocking tone, rolling your eyes as he easily slips into a nonchalant role, obviously trying to move away from the fact he was ready to devour you- And the fact you had half a mind to let him. "But then again, I'm not too sure how many of you are actually still alive."
"Many of them, darling, I'm not a monster." He bit back, crossing his arms and cocking his hip to the side. "Had you not jumped on me like a damned goblin and tried to slit my throat, perhaps we could have had a more appropriate conversation. Were you raised by animals?"
"No, actually. I was just always taught to attack first. I didn't know what you had planned, I panicked." You snap back, bending down to retrieve your dagger before moving your skirt to place it back in it's holster on your thigh.
Astarion's hand was on your wrist again before you can secure the blade in place, you look up expecting to see his eyes looking into yours again, but instead he raises your wrist to get a better look of the dagger in your hand. His eyes narrow intently, observing the intricate designs carved into the wood of the handle, it's steel jagged and the edge sharp enough to slice through anything that came across it's path. It was well used, obviously having gone through it's own story before ending up in your hands.
"Look, I'm sorry for trying to slice your thro-"
"Where did you get this?"
What.
You blink, expression twisting into pure confusion. His eyes are looking into your own again, waiting silently for you to answer him.
"M-My mother?" It sounded like a question more than a response, although it didn't make your answer any less true. "It's been in my family for generations."
He remained silent, staring at you before decided you were being honest with him. His grasp on your wrist faltered and you quickly strapped it back to your thigh to ensure he knew you weren't going to attack him any longer. If you wanted to get out of here alive, you had to make sure he knew you weren't a threat.
If he had anything to say to that, he didn't bring it up. Remaining completely silent as he looked you over. It was like time itself stood still, he could have traveled back in time and he doesn't even know if he would complain. Before him stood an exact copy of the woman who freed him from his chains of servitude, aided his ascension and ultimately broke his heart when she decided he was no longer worth the trouble of remaining by his side to watch his plot unfold. The dagger now in your possession all too familiar as memories of watching it raised high in the air before striking down the enemy it aimed to gut through with practiced ease.
"Why are you really here?" He suddenly pressed again, the confusion he felt bubbling into anger as he gritted his teeth at you. "Are you a shape shifter? Are you here to torment me after all these years? Who followed you here?"
You shake your head, stepping back as he looms over you, clearly getting himself lost in a million thoughts per second.
"I'm alone, I just attended the party out of curiosity, honest. I mean no harm, I just want to leave now and I won't tell a single soul about what I learned- I promise."
"You'll dine with me tonight, then."
Once again this man really knows how to catch you off guard, your mouthing gaping open as your brows furrow high on your forehead.
"I really can't st-"
"I insist." He cuts you off, his expression as serious as it could be. You could only nod in agreement before he relaxes and finally walks past you.
"You will remain here, I will have some of my servants fetch you a gown for the evening." He reached for the door knob, glancing back over at you to find you staring at him in surprise.
Without another word, the door is pulled open and he leaves the room, closing it behind him.
The sound of the lock clicking echoed into the silence that surrounded you, you finally drop to your knees and try to process what the fuck just happened.
#Astarion#bg3#Astarion x reader#Astarion x tav#baldurs gate 3#baldurs gate 3 astarion#dont mind me just back on my bullshit
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"X character is problematic, people shouldn't like them" most of us agree that this is a bad take.
"I mean, people can like X character but only as a narrative element, thus as long as they acknowledge they're problematic and don't romanticize X's behavior" I need you to stop a sec and ponder how this is a different approach from the "wah writers on ao3 romanticize abuse and incest!! they should only write about abuse and incest if they make it clear that they're not supporting those!!" purity culture crowd. People are allowed to approach a fictional character from a purely entertainment perspective, and they don't need to add asterisks to every post explaining that they are aware of the problematic nature of X's behavior.
"People are babygirlifying X character tho, and X character is abusive :/" good for them if they're having fun
"But-" listen. If we're talking about the classic Don't Make The Torment Nexus and someone believes that the Torment Nexus Supporters are the right side, that's a red flag. But if we're talking about the Silly Dudes Show, who the fuck cares if people are babygirlifying Abuse McAbusiveson The Clown, a character created to entertain them
"But everyone is focusing on the problematic character X who's white, when there are more compelling nonwhite characters they should be focusing on!" people are watching the Silly Dudes Show and blogging about it to have fun, not as praxis. I promise that fandom posts on tumblr are very rarely praxis
"Still-" don't be That Person (the annoying person online that turns shipping into a signifier of personal values. Nobody likes that person.)*
*Discussions of racism in fandom are very due, necessary and healthy for fandom as a whole. Turning ship wars and whatnot into signifiers of personal stances regarding racism is bad online behavior.
"You're racist" and I believe we should piss on the poor, yeah, you interpreted my words correctly
"Still, X apologists send the wrong message to-" look at me. Fandom is not a replacement for education agencies. I promise no one is getting lessons in interpersonal relationships from Abuse McAbusiveson The Clown, and if they do there's a deeper problem afoot than tumblr users making posts
"Are you an X apologist?!?!" X is fictional. Repeat after me. X is a little fake guy
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The Jester and The Courier: a wild wasteland love
After dinner Boone took his chance to talk to his old friend about her behavior, “Myrt”, “not now Booney”, “no Myrt we need to talk” the sniper gripped her arm, not hard but just enough to keep her from leaving so soon.
Myrtle sighed frustratedly “what?”, “you are acting really weird…are you OK?” he said, Myrtle snapped “IAM FINE BOONE”, Boone looked at her sadly “are you?...” he hushly sighed.
Myrtle sighed “I am, I’am gonna die here in a month and there is nothing I can do to stop it, I am fine with it, I’am ok with dying young” she wanted to sarcastically admit “...I’am just having an episode Boone…I just need ME time” she lied.
She walked up to her bed room and found her bottle of vodka and mentats, she crunched on a few of the minty candy chems and chugged the vodka, Rex whimpered from under her bed, “oh puppers” she slumped down “if only you knew what I was going though…then you’d be drinking with me”.
Rex trotted out from under the bed and snuggled up next to her, his head on her lap “I’am gonna die Rex…I know I can’t kill Lanius, I killed Ceaser with it being purely on my dumb madman’s luck” she drank more of her vodka “how am I gonna kill that big bitch when he’s armored like a fucking tank?”
Rex licked her face, “thanks Rexie-baby, I know I can trust you not to spill my secrets…mainly cuz you can’t talk” she snickered.
Cicero managed to slip his bandaged hand out of the cuff again and then got to work using the metal pins he had squirreled away earlier, he broke 4 of them but finally after a prayer to the Night Mother the 5th one had set him free.
He got up and searched the top drawer of the dresser, maybe there would be something useful inside, eh well there were more pins and…a strange book.
“Programer’s Digest” Cicero pondered what that was but he took it with him anyway. Slinking through the shadows of the house like a serpent he snuck his way to the kitchen, there he finally got his hands on what he was looking for…
A big sharp knife…but then the door creaked open…
Strange men in…Cicero gawked…they looked like they were in imperial legion armor, but how were they here? Had they too somehow gotten banished into this strange world?
“Ave, true to Ceaser” one said “erimus ultores eius” another saluted as the snuck into the house.
Cicero watched from the shadows as the strange men who looked like imperial soldiers place odd small metal disks on the floor all around the room; they then left but Cicero could see from the window from their faint silhouettes outside that they were still there, hiding.
Myrtle felt peckish so she was going down stairs to grab a can of pork n beans from the fridge when she stopped, “tread lightly, danger is afoot my dear” the voice in her head hummed.
Myrtle took out Lucky from the holster on her thigh and scanned the room with her cybernetic eye, “shit” she grumbled as she saw a shit load of mines…a the little red head fucker about to touch one “DON’T DO THAT!” she screeched as she dove from the stairwell on top of him…
Ka-BOOM!
All the mines whent off at the same time…
Cicero’s ears were ringing and his vision blurry but overall he was…unharmed? The metal woman, Myrtle, had used her body to shield him from the blast…AND SHE WAS STILL ALIVE TOO!?
Cicero stared at this woman, she in her rather…revealing…nightwear was more than just a metal eye…
Her scarred body was a mix of metal and machine, her legs, one of her arms, her heart and her spine were all mechanical, “Sithis…” he whispered under shaky breath “what are you?”, she gazed into his bewildered shocked eyes “mad that’s what” she hissed.
“PRO CEASER!” cried Legionary assassins as they barged in through the door, Myrtle despite many of her limbs cripled and injured still had VATS to deal with them and besides, they had funneled themselves through her doorway.
Boom, Boom, Boom!
Three whent down with a few well placed headshots, the 4th man tried to make a beeline out of Novac…but was promptly shot multiple times, each by a different gunman.
Boone, Cass, Joshua, Ulysses and Gannon all fired at him, poor bastard as pocked full of holes in a single second.
“PUMPKIN?!” Lily cried out as she stomped her way to Myrtle’s room, “Myrt you ok?” her friends barged in as Rex ran down the stairs to her aid.
“Iam ok…just bleeding…” she laughed “ow…shit I should not do that it hurts when I laugh” she chuckled, she looked down at Cicero who she was…well to put it in layman's terms…straddling.
“OK YOU” she snapped “HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET OUT and HOW DID LIGION SOLDIRS GET INTO MY HOUSE?!”, she pointed Lucky at his head.
Cicero gulped, he SAW what that little metal thing could do… “Cicero snuck out, yes but he had nothing to do with the soldiers, honest, honest!” he squeaked. Myrtle glared at him and cocked the hammer back “why’d you sneak out?”, Cicero gulped, he started to feel…funny…in this compromising position, a weapon drawn on him and her…well…her dominating over him…it felt weird…and he weirdly liked it. “Cicero…” he sighed “Cicero wanted to escape, BUT HE NEVER WANTED TO HARM YOU” he lied.
Myrtle eyed him…
Cicero could not help but find this whole thing…weirdly enticing…it HAD been a while since he had gotten a look at a LIVING woman…and despite all the metal bits…she was quite a looker.
She sighed and holstered her weapon “I still don’t trust you, but believe you when you say you had nothing to do with the Legion, you don’t give off the same vibe as them” she grumbled.
Gannon and Joshua helped her up and began working on her injuries, Cicero was about to sneak away when he bumped into something…someone.
“Oh hello deary” said a gruff voice, Cicero looked up and saw a strange sight, they looked like a troll…or a small giant…that was blue.
Cicero was so confused, “What?”, “I’am so sorry about this” the blue mini giant said as she gripped Cicero in a tight hug “you can cuff him now Ulysses”.
Cicero was again now cuffed and now again having to come up with an escape plan…good thing he had hidden those pins in his hair.
As the dawn broke, Myrtle and her companions set out for the new vegas medical center, 1: to take Cicero there to get his brain looked at and 2: to get some of Myrtle’s cybernetics fixed.
Myrtle had Cicero be placed on top of a strange beast, it looked like a goat…but a monstrously big goat with half its skull missing, “don’t worry, Daisy-do, ain’t gonna hurt ya” said the blue mini giant.
“You ain’t ever seen a bighorner have ya?” Myrtle laughed.
They then set out on the highway…
#fanfic#au#skyrim#crossover#fallout new vegas#fallout oc#fallout fanfiction#cicero x female oc#skyrim cicero#cicero
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🍃A Tale in Moominvalley🍃
Context: Snorkmaiden and Moomin have another one of their romantic spat and leave the room, we see Moominpappa looking up from his newspaper and comes to a realization.
Moominpappa: You know, Moominmamma, I find it odd they keep fighting like this and coming back together after their flings end. We weren't ever like that, were we?
Moominmamma: No, dear.
Moominpappa: It's almost as if they don't really want to be with eachother... Something feels afoot and I don't understand why...
Moominmamma: I suppose some couples happen to fight alot, dear, but they still...
Moominpappa: THAT'S IT!
Moominmamma: What?
Moominpappa: THEY'RE CURSED, MOOMINMAMMA!
Moominmamma: What makes you think that?
Moominpappa: THINK ABOUT IT! [He paces around the room pondering aloud] They are smitten with eachother, then have a disagreement or new fancy and break up, at least one of them tries to romance someone else...
Moominmamma: True...
Moominpappa: The other gets jealous and tries to break them up for themselves...
Moominmamma: True...
Moominpappa: OR! If that doesn't happen, the new couple naturally breaks up due to something or other...
Moominmamma: Very true...
Moominpappa: And in the end...
Moominmamma: ... They're back to where they started... Oh dear! Moominpappa! Our children are cursed to be together unhappily! Poor Moomin! Poor Snorkmaiden!
Moominpappa: We have to do something to save them from this- this cruel, cyclical curse!
Moominmamma: But what?
Moominpappa: Hmm...
From then on, Moominpappa and Moominmamma attempt to break the cycle for Moomin and Snorkmaiden, wacky comic hijinks style...
#this is meant to be read like comic dialog btw#moomins#moominvalley#moomin#moomin writing prompt#writing prompt#a tale in moominvalley#moomintroll#moominpappa#moominmamma#snorkmaiden
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Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes DLC characters Uzuki, Ogre, and Izumi announced
Gematsu Source
Publisher Arc System Works and developer French-Bread have Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes downloadable content characters Uzuki, Ogre, and Izumi. Uzuki will launch first in August 2024, followed by Ogre in February 2025, and Izumi in August 2025.
All three characters are included in the Season Pass, which is bundled with the physical Limited Edition for $79.99 or the Digital Deluxe Edition for $59.99. The Season Pass also includes an early unlock code for Kuon, who is playable in the base game.
Here is an overview of each new character, via Arc System Works:
Uzuki (voiced by Satomi Akesaka)
“All right! The time has come! J.J.! Tempest! We’re taking off! Say bye-bye, ’cause we’re outta here!”
Ability: Necromance
Weapon: Beloa
Uzuki is every bit as monstrous on the inside as she is elegant on the outside. All she wants to do is play with her bizarre powers and see lots of people suffer. This led her to join Amnesia, which she’d heard was full of interesting people. But when it turned out that the leader of Amnesia was obsessed with gaining further power in order to become a Re-Birth, Uzuki lost interest. The solution was simple: All she had to do was rip things apart until the fun came back. Thus begins her story of rebellion.
Ogre (voiced by Hinata Tadokoro)
“I won’t get anywhere sitting here and pondering. Who knows? Maybe I’ll run into someone who’s my type… All right, now I’m getting motivated.”
Ability: Oblivion Bane
Weapon: N/A
The former leader of a faction of wielders called the Bankikai, Ogre once challenged Amnesia–the largest faction-to a duel. He came very close to defeating the all-powerful Paradox; however, he met with misfortune when a certain newly-transformed Void ran rampant. Alone, Ogre fought to stop the Void, but ended up falling into the Abyss of the Night along with it. He has been missing ever since. …Until now. How has Ogre returned to this world? And for what purpose? Ogre himself doesn’t know the answers.
Izumi (voiced by Reina Kondo)
“I’d like to think I’m ready for this… but it’s all happening so fast! I mean, who wouldn’t complain at least a little in this situation? Hey, Elefee, are you listening to me?”
Ability: Transition
Weapon: Elefee
Izumi is the wielder of Initiator-the final key to unlock the door of the Night. To be precise, it takes the form of a mysterious fish that follows her around. Among the Weapons of Judgment, each deeply tied to the Night, Initiator plays the crucial role of “the end.” Up until now, Initiator has monitored the Night from a distance, but now, the time has come to settle the matter. The mysterious fish never shares any details about what is afoot; Izumi knows next to nothing of the Night. She longs for the day to come when she’ll no longer be used by her fishy companion Elefee…
Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is due out for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on January 25 worldwide.
View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.
#Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes#Under Night In-Birth II#Under Night In-Birth#UNIB II#UNIB#Arc System Works#French Bread#Gematsu
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Hide and Seek [18+]
A prompt someone gave me after crash coursing some....things. Not sure if I appreciate or fear Aurelius more but I wouldn’t try to race against this man for the life of me. 🤦♀️ To the person who suggested me possible kinks for Aurelius: you know who you are.
CW: Implied sex mention. Some running/chase elements. Minors DNI 🐟
Your hands are pinned against the sheets. Sweat smothered by warm hands towards your outer groves. Uttering animalistic pants. Your mind departed in shreds of white drifting on the water. Ripples break the wake upon its surface. You’re not sure how you got into this position. You’re not sure how you got into his arms. You’re not sure how your body was taken so easily. Yet you’re trying to recall something. Something that leads to this encounter. The start of this ardent encounter.
Beyond the woods of Raine is where you first met. Where you, a local in the area, greet a white-haired man in the wild. His face is covered by scars. A fur coat reminds you of a warm, green blanket. And striking eyes. His bright blue gaze never wavered, ever noticing your presence near the same snow-covered pine tree you frequent alone. He wasn’t anything in particular, but his stature was imposing yet comforting. You’re interested. The man gained your favor and in return, he offered you a yellow blossom he picked from his walk. Plucked on the same day when he confessed his name as Aurelius. A refined name for a hunter. Little that you know, the exchange set his mind on fire, his heart ablaze, and his legs with vigor. A target of his affections.
He brings out a bit of himself every time he sees you after his initial, awkward stumbles. To you, he offers his body as a vessel to fetch certain items like flowers or a pine cone. Other times, it’s a walk back to safety when he mentions Miramon afoot, holding his crossbow ever close. Though you believe it's an excuse. It’s the same tired excuse he uses just to talk to you to the point he purposely takes detours. It’s very boyish, but you don’t mind. You can tell this man lacks experience but makes up with his sincerity. The last time you saw him, he gave you a small package of dried flowers, intently wrapped in rough threads as thanks for accepting his courtship. One of his endearing qualities. Your mind wanders in the enigma of this man, floating in a pink haze.
The thing you can’t ignore the most is the scent that carries him. Fresh flowers mixed with his musk. A smell clear enough to make you think about him when you accepted his latest gift. He mentioned if you’re a bundle of flowers, then it must be the combination that created your being. Poetic in his own rugged way. You couldn’t stop thinking about those words since then. Even now as you’re overtaken by his presence, snippets of sweet murmurs from the depths of his heart and mind. Resonating without sound, without force. Just as it is.
Onto your last recent memory. You’re walking on top of soft, snowy grounds in the woods with Aurelius holding hands. He spoke to you while you were beside him.
“I have an idea. Do you want to play a game?”
“If we do, do you mind if I choose?” you pondered.
He hums. “Sure. Which one?”
“It’s childish, but I haven’t done hide and seek for a long while.”
He pauses his footsteps. Aurelius turns his body towards you, rather meekly.
“Will you be hiding?”
“Depends. Do you want to be “it”?”
He clears his throat before saying anything further.
“Consider your hiding spot for the next 10 minutes.”
“Oh? We’re starting now?”
He lets go of your grasp.
“I’ll give you a head start,” he mumbles, his face flushed.
You sensed something had erupted in his last statement. Lingering where you stand for a moment, you quietly jogged away as he stood there eyeing you. You turned back to see if he was catching your gaze. He was. It spooked you for once. You knew his piercing glance when he noticed an animal yards away. You never thought he'd be looking at you like that. Upon this realization, you started running. Don’t turn back, your thoughts rang. Because if you turn around, you know you’ll be caught in an instant.
After a few minutes, the man covered his face and started counting down from ten. Slowly. Your heart pounds as you’re desperately searching for a place of solace. You were told many times how he feels about you. His impression was so intense as you’re wondering why he hasn’t fallen apart. You were the glue to his sanity, but it's barely keeping him together. Yet the moment the game was initiated, the adhesive was gone. Peeled away from the seams.
You heard a “five” as you were many yards away from where you originally stood. The snow crunches underneath your boots. You found a small den, holed between some rocks and trees. You quickly crouched behind the bushes. A “zero” was shouted then you heard footsteps approaching. So fast. You peeked through the leaves. It’s Aurelius surveying his surroundings. He’s on the hunt now. Should you book it? You wait till he peeks through the den, with his voice echoing your name. You’re shaking. The snowfall covered your footsteps, but it's not shallow enough that he mistakes it for an animal. You know this for sure.
“You’re good,” he muttered.
You shut your eyes. The wind dances with the snow, weighing on top of the trees. He’s approaching the bushes. You assume he traced your covered tracks. Breathing becomes a chore, shallow even. And your heart is ready to burst out of your chest. You have a feeling he heard you making a strained peep. He did, as he approached your direction. The moment you saw his gloved hands lift the branches to reveal yourself, you immediately ran off out of your hiding spot. A vain effort it was. You try pacing your footwork but if you falter, you’ll have to catch him for the next round. At least, that’s what you believed back then.
“Don’t turn around,” you tell yourself for assurance, “Don’t look. Don’t look at all.”
But the sounds trailing behind you. They’re catching up. You hear his panting breath expelling the cold air. Getting harsher as you zig-zag your way from his reach. You hear a laugh as if he was uttering some enjoyment. As if this is his natural disposition. Aurelius appeared so serious to you that you thought he wouldn’t put the effort to chase you. You thought wrong. You hear he’s giving his all. So much so that the drive to out beat him is becoming nonexistent. The moment you thought of your tiredness, it was all over. You run as far as you could till you’re greeted with the spot where the game began. Your eyes meet in defeat. Aurelius immediately takes you in his arms and lifts you up in the air. He’s swinging you slightly upon impact, swirling his clumsy feet with jubilation. He won.
He lifted up his polarized glasses to take a closer look at your warm face, worn out from exhaustion and holding you ever close to him. The color of his scarred face wasn’t red from the running, you assumed. He’s cupping your cheek tenderly after his laughter subsided.
“Got you,” he whispered.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to play tag with you after this,” you sighed.
A smile emerged from his lips. He leans in with a soft murmur close to your ear.
“You’re coming with me.”
Your heart jumped. “Where, Aurelius?”
“My place. Are you free?”
“I am,” you said shyly. He smirks.
“Then you have no choice. Let’s go.”
Aurelius guides you to his home. Once the door is closed and the boots are off, he gazes at you. His demeanor screams his thoughts. His hands shake, gently resting on your hips. Your feet lightly walk across the wooden floors as you’re led to a corner. An entryway. A bed. His weight pulls you down and pins you with his arms. Engulfed by a fluttering kiss on your cheek, your lips, your neck.
You feel the cold metal of his turtleneck drag against your abdomen. Sweat down his brow. The faintest noise uttered from your mouth flipped a switch in his mind. His clothes were shed off. Yours too, as to keep warm by your shared body heat. Against the mattress, your face trails to his arms as you maintain eye contact.
"What are you going to do, huntsman? Claim me like a trophy?" you said in a coy voice.
His face turned beet red. A sultry look followed soon after. He grips your body as the tension within his frame coils like a spring.
"Sounds like you want more of me."
"Maybe I do," you pushed him gently.
You see his stark blue eyes soften. He warmly whispers to your ear once more. It's very soft. You couldn’t make out the words, but the actions that follow possess your limbs. No hesitation on his part. And there you are bare with another body overtaking your sights. Aurelius grasps your hand in the aftermath. His hair falls upon your forehead as he sneaks a kiss on your cheek.
“…Was I too demanding?”
You looked at him, clutching your captured hand over his.
“What do you think, Mr. Marksman?”
He sighs with a blanket strewn over his back. He’s content.
“As long as you enjoyed it, it's enough,” he said.
“Planning to be low-key next time?”
“If I have the brain space to do so,” he murmurs, “I don’t like beating around the bush.”
“To be fair, subtlety doesn’t suit you much.”
His husky voice wafts to your ears as he’s holding you from behind in agreement. Safe in his arms. You chuckled, pulling yourself under the covers. A soft sigh curls up your body savoring the tender moment. If a measly game leads you to be graced by intimacy, then it's a force to be reckoned with. And you hope you’ll get the upper hand next time. Probably with a different game of course.
#dislyte fanfic#dislyte fanfiction#dislyte aurelius#dislyte aurelius x reader#dislyte x reader#written by bluntfish#I learned too much about this man. is it too late to turn back the wheels of time? 😂#if you have any prompts feel free to chuck em in my askbox but mannnnNNNNN
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