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pedrito-friskito · 2 years

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fire and whiskey - joel miller x fem!reader

summary: you never expected to run into joel again after boston, but here he is, and here you are.

warnings: spoilers for the last of us (i’m six hours into a play-through LOL), a lot of swearing, canon-typical violence, MENTIONS/DEPICTIONS OF ASSAULT (pls do not read if that is triggering for you!), unprotected p-in-v, fingering, oral (m receiving), joel is a grumpy man and I love him for it

a/n: please heed the warnings!! my first time writing joel and I’m kinda hooked. this show is truly going to be the death of me and I can’t wait for pedro’s performance. it’s so easy to see how he’s gonna fit watching the game itself play out.

🍂kay’s autumn adventures🍂

When he grabs you from behind, you don’t make a sound. You’ve learned, by now, to keep things quiet. But you’re still not expecting it, your whole body jolting with surprise and a breath sucked down your throat. Joel’s hand clamps over your mouth, thick fingers nearly cutting off your nose, but you don’t make a noise, letting him pull you backwards away from the clicker, feet scrambling silently over the doorjamb before he pushes it shut, quiet as can be.

“You need to keep your eyes open, girl,” he spits at you, barely above a whisper. It’s nearly pitch-black in the room, but you can just make out the shape of him, and somehow, those dark eyes manage to glitter all the same as they do in sunlight. It’s maddening. “I saw that thing comin’ a mile away. You distracted or somethin’?”

You shake your head, then realize he probably can’t see your head movement, so throw out a whispered no.

Of course, you’re fucking distracted. It’s Joel. Ten months later, and Joel fucking Miller appears out of nowhere like some kind of guardian angel, yanking a runner off you and putting a pipe through the thing’s face. You haven’t seen him since Boston. Since before everything that happened…happened.

Since Jason.

Since Tess.

Fuck, you think inwardly, exhaling against his palm. Tess. Sure, she wasn’t the nicest woman you’d ever met in your life, but she’d helped keep you alive, and you knew Joel was close to her, in that strange, standoffish, I act like I hate you but I’ll be quietly devastated if anything ever happens to you way that you’ve come to associated with Joel Miller. It’s the way of the world now, to a certain degree, but goddamn it if Joel didn’t take it to the next level. Always.

Even after it all, after Jason was dealt with and he’d told you you were square, you still didn’t know where you stood with Joel. If he liked you or hated you, or if he genuinely didn’t give a fuck.

But then earlier, before you’d crept inside the old warehouse in search of supplies, when you’d been knocked into the pavement by a runner and Joel had intervened, when he saw it was you, there was a moment. A glimmer of something, too quick to memorize but there long enough for your brain to fixate on it, to focus on, to dissect.

“It’s you,” was all he’d said, the pipe still buried in the runner’s face, using it as leverage to yank the limp body off of you. “I’ll be damned.”

“Joel fucking Miller,” you’d nearly gasped with relief, throwing your arms around his neck. He’d muttered something unintelligible, giving you a halfhearted squeeze around the waist. “Thank god.”

“Good to see you, girl.”

That had been the extent of the reunion. You were introduced to Ellie shortly after, and to Bill, Joel’s friend from a town over back in Boston. And Joel told you about Tess.

Desperation had pushed you into the warehouse, all of you with growling stomachs and Bill with a bad arm injury. You’d used the last of your pain meds days back, and Joel had bandages, but it wouldn’t do much to ease his friend’s discomfort. When Ellie told you it’d been two days since they had anything to eat, you slipped her half a granola bar you had stashed, and you didn’t miss the way Joel looked at you sideways.

And now you’re inside, your back pressed to Joel’s front and his hand clamped over your mouth. You expect him to smell awful — and mostly, he does — but there’s something beneath it, something manly and comforting and strong.

So yes, you’re fucking distracted.

It’s a few hours before you get out of the warehouse, your arms aching from holding your rifle at the ready, shoulders screaming from the weight of your pack. It’s worth it, though — each of your bags is practically filled to burst with medical supplies, food scraps, what have you.

And the best of all: booze.

Bill had nearly cried when you stumbled on the box, your head cocking to the side when you heard the rattle of glass. The fact that it wasn’t shattered was already surprising, but when you flipped open the cardboard to reveal three intact bottles of good old Jack Daniels, even Joel had mumbled out his surprise.

You find a quiet alley outside the warehouse, hang around long enough for your stomachs to stop eating themselves, and for Bill to swig back most of one of the bottles of whiskey.

“Nature’s Tylenol,” he claims, and you and Ellie let out quiet giggles. Joel cracks a smile.

“Where y’all headed?” you ask, after an awkward silence settles over the group of you and you find yourself desperate to break it.

“That’s the elusive question, isn’t it?” Bill comments, and Joel scoffs. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen any car batteries laying around, have ya?”

Your brow furrows, Ellie laughs, and Bill throws his hands up, muttering under his breath and grabbing his shotgun and heading back for the street. “We going?” Ellie asks Joel, and he nods. “You should come,” she says to you, her eyes bright, tone inviting. It’s sweet. “It’d be nice to have another girl around.”

You laugh, punching her arm lightly, playful. But then you look at Joel, and the feeling withers slightly. “That all right with you?”

“Where’re you headed?”

You shrug a shoulder. “Nowhere fast.”

He lifts his chin, looking down his nose at you. “Well, may as well stay together. For tonight at least.”

“Okay,” you agree, and that’s that.

There’s a lot of walking, quiet conversation passed between you, recounting where you’ve been, what your plan (or lack there of) is, people from your and Joel’s briefly shared past. Bill leads the group of you, bottle dangling from his hand most of the way, and Ellie is a few feet behind, Joel falling into step beside you.

“Been a long time since I saw you,” he says gruffly. Your hands brush as you walk, and Joel flinches, making the space between you a little winder. “Since—”

“Jason,” you finish, stuffing your hands in your pockets. “I never thanked you properly.”

“Ah,” he waves you off. “You don’t have to thank me for anythin’, girlie.”

Girlie. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Even back in Boston, when things were…rough, whenever you’d run into Joel, or Tess would bring you around for a job or something, it was always the same. Those dark eyes, occasionally crinkled at the corners, always giving you a once over. You knew what it was, in reality — he was checking you for bites, anything out of the ordinary, any trace of blood, and, once he knew what Jason really was, bruises. How you doin’, girlie? You eaten today, girlie? You feelin’ okay, girlie?

And after, when he and Tess had burst into your apartment back in Boston, seeing you beaten and bloody in the corner, Jason with reddened fists raised, a feral look in his eye. Not infected, just…awful.

Tess had yanked you to your feet and Joel had stood in front of the pair of you, blocking Jason’s path to you. “Back off.” It wasn’t a request. An order, delivered with a voice like hard steel and a raised gun levelled between Jason’s eyes.

It was a marriage of convenience, in every sense. And not a real marriage, not by a long shot. You’d met Jason somewhere between your hometown in Colorado and the camp in Boston, and it became a matter of survival. You kept his bed warm at night, and in return, he kept you protected, kept you alive. It wasn’t love, not really. Jason had his moments, but the bad started to outweigh the good. And the bruises came later.

Then they became too much.

You hung outside until the curfew reminders sounded, if you could manage it. Bouncing from friend to friend, trying to find odd jobs, asking Tess to find you something to do. You only went home when you got desperate, and more often than not, Jason was up waiting, ready to hurl insults and accusations the second you were through the door. His latest was that you were sleeping with other people, throwing yourself at anyone in camp who so much as glanced at you.

“I bet she’s fucking you too, isn’t she, Miller?” he half-screamed at Joel, waving his hands like a crazy person. Tess tucked you under her arm and you tried to wipe the blood from your face. “Fucking whore!”

He lunged for you and Joel laid him out flat, a gunshot echoing through the apartment. Through and through to his shoulder, the bullet leaving a hole in the wall, casing clattering to the floor. “I said, back off.”

Jason didn’t listen, blind with rage, pulling a switchblade from his pocket and trying to run at you again, ducking in an attempt to move around Joel, but it only made things worse.

The second shot would have gone through his shoulder again, another warning. He would have lived. But ducking put him level with the gun, and instead, it went through his forehead. Blood sprayed, you screamed and Tess shielded you, and his body hit the floor.

Joel put his gun away, gently took you from Tess. “Pack her things,” he said to her, his hands warm around your biceps as he held you up. “I’ll deal with this.”

Tess nodded, disappearing towards your bedroom, and your eyes were stuck on the body on the floor. “He’s gone.”

“He is,” Joel agreed, producing a bit of gauze from his pocket, dabbing at your split lip. “It’s okay, girlie. You’re safe now.”

You’d crumbled into him. Tess let you stay in her apartment a few days, but by the end of the week, you were gone.

“Where did you go?” Joel asks, the question yanking you out of your memories. “After.”

“Salem, for a while,” you answer, staring down at your boots. “Providence for a bit after that, then the plan was Washington, but here I am instead.”

“By yourself?”

You just nod.

He whistles. “I taught you well.”

He had. In the days after Jason and before your departure, most of your time had been spent with Joel. He taught you how to shoot every gun they could get their hands on, setting up target practice with tin cans behind one of the apartment blocks. Bow and arrow too, hand-to-hand combat, knives. You name it, if Joel knew how to use it, he was showing you how to do it too.

And his cardinal rule: never let go of your weapon, not if you can help it.

You nod again, lifting your elbow so it nudges him in the side. He’s gotten a little closer to you. “You did. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you, Joel.”

You swear he blushes.

Another couple hours of travel, and you find a farmhouse, mostly intact. A few smashed windows, sure, but it’s secure enough, far enough from the main roads that you’re not worried about stragglers. Bill and Joel clear the house out first, you and Ellie keeping watch by the road.

“Did you and Joel used to date?” she asks, blunt as anything, while you’re sharing a bottle of water, which you nearly spit out.

“W-what?” You wipe your face, feeling your cheeks heat. “What makes you say that?”

“He looks at you,” she says, shrugging a shoulder, “when you’re not looking at him. Like he thinks you’re gonna disappear or something.”

You choke on a laugh, waving her off. “You’re imagining things, kid.”

“Am not!”

The men emerge from the house then, waving you both in. They’ve set up a barricade of sorts in the living room, a few lanterns lit either side of the pile of blankets stacked on the floor. It’s not a real mattress by any stretch, but it’ll do.

“Gonna go build a fire out back,” Joel announces as you all get comfortable, a slim sense of safety settling over you. “I’ll take first watch.”

He disappears out the sliding door, and you watch until he disappears into the dark. A few minutes later, there’s a spark of light, then another and another, until the orange glow of a fire seeps back towards the house.

Ellie settles down completely, reading a few pages of her comic book before she’s passed out completely. You fold her comic up carefully, pulling one of the blankets over her. You try and get some sleep, tossing and turning for a few hours, but it’s no use. Your eyes keep moving to the sliding door, to the outline of Joel sitting at the fire. Finally, you give up, and get up. Bill is sprawled on the couch, his bottle of Jack cradled against him. You just laugh, pulling your own bottle from your bag and heading outside.

Joel’s fire is impressive, licking up towards the sky, embers crackling into the night as you approach. There’s a fallen log stretched across the ground, Joel sat in the centre of it, staring into the flames. Your foot snaps a twig as you get closer and he’s on his feet immediately, reaching for his gun. But he stops when he sees it’s you, and grunts.

“Sorry,” you say, lifting your hands. “Should have announced myself.”

“Yeah, you fuckin’ should have,” he agrees angrily, sinking back onto the log.

“Easy,” you lift the bottle of whiskey. “I come bearing gifts.”

His brow hardens at you. “Fine.”

You take a seat beside him and crack open the bottle. It’s a familiar burn on the way down, a strangely memorable taste that makes you feel like a teenager again, stealing liquor from your parents’ cabinet and sneaking off to parties. It feels like a million years ago.

It’s quiet, at first, the pair of you just passing the bottle back and forth, back and forth. The fire dies slightly at some point, and Joel tosses a capful towards the logs, making you jump when the flames jump high for a split second. “They teach you that in boy scouts?” you ask.

He barks a laugh. That angry tone still sits in his voice, but you can tell it’s starting to break. “I was not a fuckin’ boy scout.”

“I find that very hard to believe, Joel Miller.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Oh, that’s mature.”

A long silence. You swig from the bottle and hand it to him. You’re pressed close to him on the log, trying to steal some of his warmth, your bodies touching from shoulder to hip.

Whiskey gives you a loose tongue. “What do you miss the most?”

He doesn’t answer, his brow turning to hard line on his forehead. He swigs from the bottle again. “That’s a loaded question as any, girlie.”

“I miss getting mail,” you roll over his comment. “Hell, I even miss bills. Oh, and fuzzy slippers. I used to have some that looked like turtles, it was so funny. Don’t get comfortable enough anywhere to even think about taking my shoes off, let alone wearing slippers.”

He laughs again, and the anger is gone. Success. “Turtles, huh?”

“Turtles,” you agree, grinning. “C’mon, tell me, Joel. What do you miss most? From the old days. From the normal days.”

He thinks about it. You can see it on his face, the way his brow pinches, eyes bright with something besides the firelight. The bottle dangles from his fingers; it’s nearly empty. “We need a lot more than one bottle of Jack for me to answer that.”

You roll your eyes. “Come on, I told you mine.”

“I’m not talkin’ about slippers and snail mail, girl. A lot of shit has happened since I last saw you, and even before that, you don’t know my whole story, all right? So don’t fuckin’ pry.”

“Damn,” you breathe out, stunned silence settling over you. He drinks the last of the bottle, and it’s a few minutes before you speak again, the crackling of the fire filling the quiet between you. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Joel. We’ve all been through a fucking lot, okay? So fucking forgive me for wanting to make sure you’re okay.” Sighing, you get to your feet, moving to walk around the fire.

“Listen,” he says, catching your arm as he gets up, moving closer to you as while you’re stepping away from him. “I don’t need you worryin’ about me or checkin’ up on me or anything like that, you hear? That’s not your—”

“Burden to bear?” you finish, quirking a brow, and Joel just stares at you, dark eyes widening like he’s shocked by your answer. “I know I don’t have to, Joel. That’s not why I do it.”

“You’re not listen—”

You grab him by the front of his shirt, fingers curling into worn flannel, dragging him close until you’re nearly chest to chest. There’s a pause, a complete stillness that washes over both of you for a second, his lips parted and yours following suit. Then it’s the scrape of his beard against your skin, biting at your cheeks and chin. He tastes like whiskey, something harsh that slides down your throat, something harsher that you know is just the taste of Joel.

There’s nothing soft about it. Hesitant, sure, but there’s no gentleness, nothing romantic about the way he kisses. It’s intense, his mouth devouring your own, drinking you down in every sense. His tongue dives past your teeth, curling along the roof of your mouth, and you can’t help but gasp back into him, toes curling in your boots as you lean up, desperate to get closer to him, to have him nearer, to feel his warmth as surely as you feel your own.

The fire crackles behind you, the whiskey bottle empty and discarded beside the log you’d been occupying. He finally moves, one hand finding your hip beneath your sweater, the other reaching back and curling in your ponytail, wrapping the length of it around his wrist. He tugs lightly, prickles of tension shooting along your scalp, and you let your own hands dip, sliding right up the hem of his flannel until your palms are splayed on bare skin. You can feel the heave of his breaths against your hands, the racket of his heart against his ribs.

Behind you, someone clears their throat, and you both snap apart like a sprung trap, Joel instantly turning away towards the fire, hands on his hips, while you stumble back a step, covering your mouth with one hand, trying to quell your rapid breaths and aching core.

“Just comin’ to take my watch,” Bill says, eyeing you both. His own bottle of whiskey is at his hip, shotgun cocked over his shoulder, a large machete hanging from his belt. “You two go get some shut-eye.” He brushes past Joel, clapping him on the shoulder as he goes. “Or somethin’.”

You both stand there a moment, shell-shocked, as Bill takes his seat at the fire. In the direction he came, the house glows from the inside, the camping lanterns still lit in the living room. Ellie’s asleep there, you know, and as Joel takes a step, intent on brushing past you, his cheeks bright red even in the darkness, you catch his arm.

“Meet me in the bathroom,” you say. It’s bold, and he freezes, staring down at your hand on his arm for a long moment before his eyes flick up to your face.

“I’m not what you need.” The words are gruff, his brow going hard again, and you resist the urge to roll your eyes.

“Cut the shit,” you say, shaking your head. “Now you’re the one not listening.”

Before he can get another word out, you turn on your heel and stomp back to the house. You don’t look back, don’t check to see if he’s following you or not. The sliding door squeaks as you slip inside, and sure enough, you catch sight of Ellie, still asleep, her eyes fluttering with dreams. You don’t want to disturb her.

You almost leave your gun on the kitchen counter as you make your way to the bathroom, but then Joel’s voice echoes in your mind. Never let go of your weapon, not if you can help it. So you don’t, leaving it tucked in your waistband until you’re in the bathroom, letting the door click quietly shut behind you.

It’s dark, save for a sliver of moonlight coming in through the mostly-shattered window. You take stock, ignoring the cracked floor and broken toilet. It’s surprisingly clean, given the state of things, Under the expected later of dust and grime, there’s nothing too unseemly. There’s an empty toilet paper roll still on the holder, a home improvement magazine on the back of the toilet. You turn, pushing a hand through your hair, pulling it loose of the ponytail, and inspect the sink.

The faucet is broken, handles missing and the spout off-kilter. The mirror above is broken, spidering out from a single contact point, like someone punched the glass. Your own reflection still peers back at you, fractured and disfigured. Something about it makes your chest hurt, and you rub a hand across your collarbone.

Just when you’re about to give up, convinced that he’s not coming, the door creaks open. Just a crack, just enough for you to see half his face in the opening it leaves. His gaze is still dark, but his brow is less furrowed, and he’s chewing at the inside of his lip.

Silently, he steps inside, pulls the door shut behind him. You’re leaning against the counter, your hands hooked over the particleboard. He stands in front of you, about a foot of space between you, and stares at your feet.

“It’s not that I don’t want this,” he says, his voice so low and gravelly you almost have to strain your ears to hear. “It’s not that I don’t want you. Fuck, I’ve wanted you since I laid eyes on you, back in Boston, when that fuck-head was still around. Wanted you back then, want you now, it hasn’t changed.” He inches forward, closing the distance slightly. “But this?” He gestures towards the door — towards Ellie, Bill, the fire outside, the world. “This is much bigger than us. And I can’t—”

“I’m not another thing for you to take care of, Joel,” you murmur, and reach back, pulling your gun out of your waistband, setting it on the counter. “I can handle myself. You taught me how.” His throat bobs. “And you’re right; it’s all so much bigger than us. I’m not an idiot, I’m not gonna stand in your way or make myself a liability. I know the drill. But it doesn’t matter right now.”

You reach up then, pinching the zipper of your sweater, meeting his eyes as you drag it down, ever so slow. His gaze drops from yours only to watch the path, watch the way it falls open once the zipper is undone, revealing your chest and stomach, the black line of your bra, the few scars you’ve gathered over the years.

“This—”

“Stop thinking, Joel,” you tell him, and reach for his hand, pulling it towards you, letting his calloused palm cup the curve of your breast. “Just for tonight.”

“Fuck it,” he grumbles, and then he’s on you. You thought the kiss at the fire was rough, but this is something else entirely. He’s…touch-starved, you realize, with the way he gropes at you, tipping his face into yours while his hands roam every inch of bare skin they can reach. He sighs into your mouth when you let your sweater drop further, the material sliding off your shoulders and down your arms, pooling at your wrists. How long as it been, you wonder distantly, since he touched someone else? Since someone else touched him?

Discarding your sweater, you reach up, working the buttons on his flannel, one by one until his chest is visible, scarred and golden, a light dusting of hair between his pecs. You drag your hand down it, right from the hollow of his throat, riding the soft curve of his stomach until you can hook your fingers into the waistband of his jeans, tugging him closer to you.

Joel looks down as you reach for his belt, unbuckling it quickly, the clinking sound of metal reaching your ears. He’s nearly panting, one hand curled around the side of your neck, the other braced on the wall beside you. You push your face into his neck, pressing your mouth to his jaw as you work his zipper, sticking your hand right down his pants, under the elastic of his boxers.

He’s big. Big and thick and hard as a fucking rock, hips bucking harshly into your hand the moment you close your fingers around him. “So fuckin’ soft,” he breathes out, and you stroke him once, curving your palm over the tip of his cock, the precum that’s gathered there easing your way as you move back down to his base. “Fuckin’ hell, girlie.”

You have the sense to check the ground before you sink to your knees, making sure there’s no shards of glass or anything sharp before you get down, cushioning yourself on his boots. His hands move, both diving into your hair, curling strands around his knuckles, tugging like he had at the fire. It sets your whole body aflame, and you don’t waste any time, pulling his boxers down and taking him into your mouth, swallowing his cock all the way down, groaning as you do it. The tip of him hits the back of your throat and he bucks forward, thrusting into your mouth. It makes your throat jump, but you bite back the gag, digging your nails into the meat of his ass as you pull back, bobbing your head, curling your tongue around him.

He’s watching you; you can feel it. You tip your head back slightly, cock still pressed between your lips, pulling off of him completely with a quiet pop, letting the tip rest against your lips. He just stares down at you, gaze hard as he is, brows pinched as he watches. Slowly, you open your mouth, the head of his cock brushing past your top lip, giving him just the slightest bit of teeth as you take him again. It makes him groan, the sound rumbling through his whole body, one hand smacking against the wall.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” he spits out, and before you can move any further, he’s pushing you back, grabbing your bicep and yanking you back up. “Not gonna last if you keep that shit up.”

He kisses you again, possessive and intense, pouring himself into you as he bites at your lip, rides the line of your jaw, closes his mouth around your pulse and sucks a bruise. A reminder, you think; tomorrow, once this is all over, it’ll just be a memory, and the mark on your skin will be all that remains.

Your leggings are shoved down, the seams groaning in protest, and his hand dives into your underwear, rubbing along your folds, moaning into your mouth when he finds how wet you are. “Gonna be the fuckin’ death of me,” he grumbles into you, and you can’t help but grin, curling your arm around his shoulders as he crowds you backwards against the counter again. “Pretty little thing.”

Before you can even blink, he’s crouching, tearing your boots off your feet and yanking your pants further down. He shrugs off his flannel then, letting it join the growing pile of clothing on the ground. As he makes his way back up to stand, he pauses, curls his hand around your calf, just below your knee. Everything in you goes tight as a fucking bowstring as he leans in, presses an open-mouthed kiss to the hinge of your leg, letting his lips linger before he’s moving back up, capturing your mouth again, the hand not on your leg diving into your hair, keeping your face against his.

He steps between the bracket of your legs, his hips finding a home against yours. You can feel him, hot and heavy and making you ache, the length of him pressed to your dripping cunt. It’s too much, it’s not enough, you might explode if you don’t feel him now.

You whine into his mouth, and Joel pulls back, the corner of his mouth ticking in a grin. “Somethin’ you need, girlie?”

You just whine again, pushing your hips against him, trying to chase the feeling that’s building, desperate for any kind of friction you can get. “Joel, please.”

“Since you asked so nicely,” he mutters.

Then he’s inside you.

And it’s fucking earth-shattering.

You can feel every inch of his cock, every ridge and vein as he pushes inside you. He keeps a tight grip on your hair, panting into your mouth as he sinks to the hilt. He’s cursing under his breath the whole way, eyes flicking from yours down to where your bodies are joined and back up again.

“Wanted you for so fuckin’ long,” he breathes out, starting to roll his hips, giving you slow thrusts that only make the ache in you bubble further. Your own hands find his ribs, nails scratching over bare skin and scars. He feels so good. “So fuckin’ long, girlie. You don’t even know. You don’t even—”

His next thrust is harder, the slap of skin on skin echoing through the small space, and you both freeze. There’s no such thing as privacy out here anymore, and you don’t want to wake Ellie. But Joel keeps talking, babbling almost, the words grunted.

You bite your lip, and clamp one hand over his mouth.

His eyes flare for a moment, but you’re careful to leave his nose unblocked, his hot breath pouring over your knuckles. He’s still talking, but the words are muffled now, caught against your palm. His teeth nip, but you don’t care. The pace slows slightly, his grip on your hip tighter as he drives his cock into you. Your eyes want to roll back, but you do your best to keep them trained on Joel’s face.

You just wanna see him fall apart.

It doesn’t take long, his orgasm rumbling through his body. He pulls out of you at the last second, thrusts his cock into the spot where your thigh meets your hip, paints your body with his pleasure. Something feral in you wishes he’d cum inside, had covered your insides with him, but you know that’s not practical. It’s not smart.

Once his breathing has returned to normal, you let go, your hand dropping from his mouth, fingers glancing over his lip before it drops back to his side. Before you can make a move, he shoves two fingers deep in your cunt, curling them against something that makes your eyes roll back and you collapse against him, your pleasure cresting high, something akin to relief flooding through you.

“Didn’t think I was gonna leave you hangin’, did ya?” he growls in your ear. A high-pitched moan falls out of you, and Joel rips your head back, covering your mouth with his so he can swallow down your noises. “Good girl,” he says into you as the pleasure rips through you, your limbs electric and static and your whole body going weightless. “Good fuckin’ girl.”

Both back down on solid ground, something has changed. You know it. You can see it. His gaze isn’t as hard as he finds something to clean his cum from your leg. He kisses you as he helps your sweater back up your arms, pinches the zipper and drags it up, leans in to peck your collarbone before it’s covered by the fabric. You help each other get dressed, dipping a hand down the back of his boxers to squeeze his ass before you yank on his belt buckle. And once you’re both fully clothed, Joel grabs your face, pinching your chin between his thumb and forefinger, and kisses you slow.

Slow, slow, slow. The complete opposite of the kiss by the fire, of the second one that had sparked your wild fuck. It takes you aback, your body curving into his when his other palm settles in the small of your back and pushes you towards him.

Bill is still sitting watch by the fire when you emerge from the bathroom, and Ellie is still dead asleep, thankfully.

“We should actually get some shut-eye,” Joel mumbles, and you just nod, the weight of the day and the exertion catching up with you. “C’mon.”

You lay out on the blanket next to Ellie, putting yourself between her and Joel as he lies beside you. He fights with a blanket; you’re expecting him to drape it over you — and he does — but you’re not expecting him to slide close to you beneath it, fitting himself against your back.

“I’m gonna leave in the morning,” you whisper after a few minutes, and Joel goes stock-still behind you.

“What?”

“This was just for tonight,” you say, and slowly turn to face him. “You said so yourself.”

His arm is slung over your hips, and his fingers curl in the back of your sweater, like he’s trying to keep you in place. Something in his face flickers, and Ellie’s words from earlier echo in your mind. Like he thinks you’re gonna disappear or something. “I know what I said,” he murmurs, but says nothing further.

“Joel,” you whisper, stretching up until your lips just brush against his. His arm moves up, hand cups your cheek again. “Ask me to stay. Say it.”

“I can’t—” he starts, but cuts himself off, nose dragging along yours as he heaves a breath. “Stay, girlie. Please. Stay with me.”

You just nod.

—————

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infernalodie · 2 years

Text

𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 || 𝐄𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚

“𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦“

Inspo: ODIE - North Face

Pairing: Black!Male!reader x Maddy Perez x Lexi Howard x Cassie Howard

Summary: You were a boy with too much love to give and too little amount for commitment. Perhaps, the adventure of desire is all that you are allowed to have nowadays.

Warnings: Angsty as hell for reader, smut, oral (Cassie receiving), masochism kink, and even a splash of passionate sex.

Words 1203

DNI IF YOU’RE YOUNGER THAN 18!

You were undeniably a romantic guy.

When you were younger, your mother always said you would be a lady killer. But if you’d known that it left you often not knowing what true love was, then maybe you would’ve tried to do better. Not just for yourself, but for the girls that came into your life expecting you to be a better guy.

Breaking their hearts wasn’t intentional, but just part of your process of looking for the right one. And it seemed after any night you spend with a girl in her bed, the distaste for them grew in a matter of minutes. Leaving you lost all over again, still searching for her.

She didn’t have a name yet. Neither did she have a face. All you knew is that you were destined to find her, sooner or later. But with your tirade of going through women like coupons at your favourite store, the hope of finding the one was fading each day that passed by you.

At first glance, you thought it to be Maddy Perez. Her nature was carefree and unbothered by a lot of the shit that happened around her. Willing to speak her mind without much care for what others might think of her. And out of school, she had a side most weren’t exactly accustomed to. Which only made her that more abstract to most.

“Y/n- Oh, God!” Her small frame was bent over, her hands resting against the dressing room wall. Eyes focused on the mirror in front of her as you pounded into her from behind. Hands holding her hips tightly as you propelled your hips forward, slamming into hers.

A hand slithered up to her neck and forced her to stand up. Her sweaty back pressed against your hot chocolate skin. She whined, moaned, and whimpered as you pounded her relentlessly. Watching the reflection of you two and enjoying the sight of her eyes rolling back.

Appraisals of your name fell from her lips as she pleaded and begged you to not stop. But after that night, she went running back to Nate Jacobs. So, she wasn’t going to ever see you as something more than a quick fuck or a friend. In no way did you blame her for not staying, it made your honest feelings more justifiable.

Then there was Cassie Howard. The girl with the golden hair, as you liked to say. She was sweet and kind to you anytime she saw you. In comparison to Lexi, Cassie wasn’t the greatest of people though.

But you didn’t like holding that type of stuff against people like her. With the cards she was dealt in life, she had to find a way to continue to live. And it didn’t surprise you that there could be some part of her that was broken. Some part of her she tried to fill with sex and drugs.

“Y/n!” Her thighs shook with each lap of your tongue over her slit. Watching her face contort in pleasure as you continued to suck and lick eagerly at her clit. Fingers continued to pump into her tight entrance as her walls fluttered around your digits.

Her skin was so soft as you squeezed at it and rubbed sensually. Showing some sign of comfort as your tongue and fingers showed the opposite. It was enough to send the girl’s mind into a flurry as her hands rested on the sides of your head. She began to rock her hips against your lips and tongue, desperate to reach the precipice that she deserved.

“Holy fuck!” She cried, tits bouncing as her hips jolted up to grind against you.

You worked her up to it until she let out a cry. Body shaking and twitching as you pulled your face from her heat. Allowing your fingers to continue to pump slowly in and out of her pussy. Softly curling your fingers and smiling when her legs twitched with a whimper.

But just like Maddy, she left you feeling unfulfilled. Still continuing to search for this girl that you knew must be real or else what was the point of love in the first place, right? Wouldn’t it just be a false construct shown and shoved in your face since you were just a toddler? That’s something you would like to believe, but when you went to school and saw all the couples and happy, you knew there was something out there for you. Perhaps it wasn’t something as beautiful as others, but at least it would be something, right?

Well, that was what you had hoped when Lexi came your way. That soft smile of hers on her lips as she showed her passions through and through. The way she talked about her certain hobbies or dreams and spoke with such confidence or enthusiasm showed enough of how good of a person she was.

Her whimpers bounced off the walls of the small change room. They sounded in your ear where her mouth resided. Her arms wrapped around your neck as she slowly rocked her hips. Trying her absolute best to take your entire cock. Every time she came down to the base, her mind became hazy and she shot back up.

Your hands softly rested on her waist and helped her ride your cock. Eyes shut in bliss as you soaked in the feeling of her walls convulsively squeezing around your length. Her soft whimpers in your ear as she bounced quicker on your cock. Whimpers transform into moans as she clung onto you for tear life.

What you hadn’t expected were her teeth to latch onto your shoulder. The pain sent a shock through your system, but it numbed when you found it to be somewhere between pleasurable and relaxing. So, with that in mind, you wrapped an around Lexi’s waist and another grabbed onto her shoulder before you suddenly began to pound upwards into her.

It was enough to have her teeth extracting from your flesh with a moan. But was silenced when you grabbed her face and slammed your lips together. You swallowed her moans she tried to communicate that she was about to cum. And when she did, her entire body shook.

A breathy moan fell from her lips as her hips twitched forwards, rocking unsteadly. You sent abrupt thrust upwards, ripping cries from her lips as she continued to kiss you sensually. Her hands running up and down your chest with a smile.

All three of those girls were ones that you expected to possibly her. The girl that you would be able to call your soulmate. But they all just came out to be hookups. Nothing more and nothing less.

And it hurt knowing that for however long, you would be working at this North Face. Folding clothes and talking to parents who just want a cheap deal for their kids. It was a sad and miserable life you would continue to live until life sought you fit for something more.

Until then, for every girl that walked through the doors, you would fall in love with each one and hope there might be something in store for the two of you.

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eleni-cherie · 9 months

Text

a thief's end ✨ || bts • myg - chapter 0.4

"so eager to be in a headlock again?"

"only if it's by you."

he thought he was done with the criminal life and ready for some peace and quiet. but his plans collapsed in the form of a strange girl who was in trouble.

»»»

masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, sexual tensiON, slowburn, mutual pining, strangers to lovers s2l

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

»»»

Soyeon struttered with half-lidded eyes through the halway. Flinching when accidentally scratching her itching forehead, having forgotten about her covered wound.

A long yawn escaped her lips then. Not because she hadn't slept enough though. More the opposite. For the first time in weeks, she'd actually slept through without waking up panickedly at every little noise. It was also the first time in weeks she'd slept for more than just a few hours. For ten, in fact. Her body probably having been more exhausted than she knew.

Rubbing her eyes, still trying getting adjusted to the light, she passed by a door that was left ajar. Hearing someone moving inside. Now, Soyeon wasn't one to snoop around other people's business. She was, however, a curious cat and couldn't help but to sneak in a glance. Catching a glimpse of a dark figure and a sword reflecting the sunlight, being held horzontally behind his black waves. And Soyeon bit her lips, realising it was Yoongi who was standing with his back towards her and moving his katana against an invisible target, seemingly being one with the blade. Almost as if he was dancing with it. His back muscles flexing under his shirt with every step.

He was training in what looked like a training room.

She swallowed, slowly backing away from the door. It was the first time she saw him with his sword and probably the most attractive thing she had ever witnessed. She could feel her pulse against her skin.

Turning around, she decided to quickly search the kitchen and perhaps some coffee instead, when the door behind her opened widely. Causing her to freeze. She slowly glanced over her shoulder, seeing Yoongi standing there. Sweatbeads running over his flushed face and arms, streaks of hair sticking on his forehead. Oh god.

He combed back his hair. A cocky grin spreading over his features then. "It's not very polite to spy on someone." He almost laughed out when seeing her flustered expression.

"I-I wasn't.. how did you even hear me? I was super quiet and you were focusing on your training."

Her adorable confusion made him chuckle. "One should not only see with the eyes, but also with the ears," he simply stated, matter-of-factly before returning into the room. Sliding the sword into its sheath.

Even this simple move looked immensely attractive on him.

"D'you have coffee? Strong coffee."

He hummed, looking at her briefly. "It's on the upper cupboard, on the left."

She nodded, holding herself back from thanking him as his words from last night still rang in her ears. And suddenly she got reminded of her own little slip up when she'd kissed his cheek for a second time. Feeling her own cheeks blush at the memory, quickly making her way down the hallway and to the kitchen. The tension between them laid thickly in the air, in a way she could barely breath when he was in the same room as her.

She took a deep breath, opening what she assumed was the right cupboard. And indeed, it seemed right. Although the coffee was on the top shelf which was unfortunate for her as she wasn't the tallest person, not even when wearing her 10cm heels.

Nevertheless, she attempted to try as best as she could. Getting on her tiptoes and stretching her body. Her fingers lightly touching the container, but pushing it further away instead. She huffed and was about to look for a chair to use , when suddenly a toned armed appeared from behind, stretching over her head and reaching the container with ease.

She could sense his chest lightly touching her shoulder blades.

"Here." He held the container out for her. His eyes smiling as he shook it, the coffee powder rustling inside.

"Thanks." She didn't intend to whisper but somehow her voice didn't want to leave her throat. Absentmindedly staring back at him when her hand reached for the coffee. Not having expected him to stand in such close proximity.

He nodded and stepped back, walking out of her view. And she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

After making herself a coffee, she took a seat on the large couch. Sitting cross-legged and glancing out at the sunlit buildings while taking a sip. And while staring outside and enjoying observing trees rustling in the summer breeze she realised it had been awhile since she could take a breath and simply take in her surroundings and the outside world. She had almost forgotten the reason she had been in Yoongi's apartment in the first place. Her fingers wandering up to the wound, gently patting it over the bandaid. It hurt. She only hoped it'd heal soon.

Inhaling deeply, she took another sip and put the mug down on the table. Grabbing her phone then, she opened the photo she had previously shown Yoongi. The photo with that cursed necklace. A long sigh escaping her lips as her fingers traced over it.

Just why? What was it about this necklace?

"You said your grandfather got it from a business trip. Was it maybe Europe?"

Startled, she lightly jumped in her seat. Almost throwing the device away. Yoongi was glancing from behind her shoulder, leaning over the couch with amusement in his eyes about her reaction.

"I-I got no clue, why?"

"According to my friend, the ornaments look like it."

"The.. what? Your friend?"

He walked around the couch, plopping next to her. Only now she noticed his wet strands and clean clothes. He had taken a shower. Sitting now next to her in a white shirt that had a few see-through spots due to water droplets falling onto it. His long hair curling at the tips, messily falling on the back of his neck and ears. Her cheeks were burning.

"Yeah, I sent Jimin your photo last night. Out of us three, he knows best about jewelry so I figured, if someone knew what's the deal with this necklace, it might be him."

Of course he had to involve Jimin in this. After all, he was the one always after the most precious gems in the world. He knew how to differentiate a real from a fake one and even their degree of purity. And of couse he also knew a thing or two about jewelry and the different styles and epochs around the world.

And Jimin was of course willing to help, especially when seeing the photo of who he'd be helping out with his knowledge. It wasn't in his nature to ignore a pretty woman in need and on top of it, a pretty woman his friend was seemingly into.

His exact words being: "Is this her? She's hot! Good for you, man!"

Soyeon's eyes widened at the mention of Jimin. Curiosity filling her when she interrupted his train of thoughts. "And? What did he say?"

"He said the golden ornaments around the gem and the overall style remind him of 18th century european jewelry."

She mused over that information for a bit. "I'm not sure.. could be. I remember him saying he went to Italy once."

He simply nodded then, pointing at the mug on the table then. "You ate anything or is coffee your whole breakfast?"

She folded her arms in front of her and cocked a brow at him. "And what about you?"

"I don't eat breakfast."

She huffed under her breath, taking another sip from the brown liquid to hide the smile creeping on her features. It'd become lukewarm by now. "I'll eat later, don't worry." Another thought crossing her mind then. "Say.." she began then, unintentionally clutching her fingers tighter around the mug. Uncertain of how appropiate her request would be. "You're very good in sword fighting or fighting in general, right?"

"Quite a reluctant question considering you were observing me training," he chuckled with a small teasing smirk, making her gasp. "Yes, I'm very good. In both. Why?"

"Because-!" She abrupty paused, lowering her voice a little. Her eyes shy, falling to the side. "I was thinking, if you could show me a bit? I mean, for self-defense purposes. I know one day doesn't equal years of training but.." She heaved a sigh. "I just don't want to feel entirely helpless next time they show up.. Just some basics." Subconsciously, her fingers travelled up to the bandaid. She slowly looked at him then, fearing of his rejection.

However, Yoongi was simply looking at her with steady eyes. He nodded then and stood up.

"Follow me."

Shyly, she followed him into his training room. Him heading to a bag and grabbing a wooden sword, a bokken, out of it. Handing it to her.

"The most important part is that you see it as an extension of your arm, not an addition."

Soyeon looked at the object in her hand, her grip tightening around its shaft and she began to sway it around. Getting accustomed to its feel while he continued explaining.

"The main principle is one strike - one kill. That is to say, no wasted movement, total focus, and perfect timing to deliver a single, fight ending blow." Yoongi watched her nod with a focused expression. He stepped closer to her and held her hand that was holding the bokken, bringing the shaft to her attention. "You're holding it too tight. If it's a normal bat, you can hold it tighter. But with a katana you need to hold it like a tennis racquet," he said quietly and moved her fingers to the right positions. Brushing off the tingly feeling when guiding them as he was too immersed in explaining. Not noticing the way her brown eyes gleamed at him. And for a moment, she forgot to pay attention as she was simply absorbed by his soft lips moving. His voice getting drown in the sound of her quickened pulse ringing through her ears.

"-The feeling you should have is that it's kind of floating." He let go of her. And only then she snapped out of her thoughts, watching him taking his own sword out then and letting it glide through the air. His eyes moving along the blade, "The more you put a death grip on it, the less control you have. Grip it more like a paintbrush." He twirled it around, before cutting through an empty soda can that was on the small table by the wall. Slicing it into two. "And always pay attention to the edge alignment. That of course, if you use an actual blade."

Her eyes went round as she observed him in awe.

"The most basic way to use a katana properly is to cast it out like a fishing line and draw cut the blade inwards using the elbows close to the body," he continued, holding his sword up vertically over his head. Drawing it out in an abrupt yet easy way, pulling with the left hand at the base until it reached the head or shoulder of the invinsible target. "This move should be completed without the use of power, the right hand is only there to support and direct the direction of the movement. Nothing more."

He looked at her expectedly then and she took it as a sign to try it out herself. Straightening, she adjusted her grip into the same he had shown her. Trying keeping a relaxed grip, like a brush. And indeed, it felt easier to sway it like that. She saw him nodding in approval, taking a deep breath then she heaved it over her head, like a fishing line and threw it out. She immediatelly looked at him to see if he was content. "Not bad, repeat it a few more times until it really flows naturally."

As she did so, while he positioned himself in front of her. "Aim here," he said and tapped on his forehead. Soyeon's eyes grew wider. "I might hurt you."

"I won't let you actually hit me," he scoffed, laughing as if her worries had been ridiculous, "Just aim there."

She inhaled deeply and hesitately, tried. Failing a few times and getting irritated with herself, which amused him as he could see she was determinded and didn't like failing, which seemingly motivated her more. And eventually she did it. Well, almost. His hands stopped the bokken before actually hitting him, catching it in between his hands only centimetres away. "Good."

He stepped aside and let her repeat the movement a few more times. His eyes laying on her observingly with a fond almost proud look while she kept slicing through the air.

"Alright," Yoongi spoke up then, making her pause. He walked up in front of her again. "Now tilt it a little bit diagonally, steered by the left hand. Try hit my left shoulder in a way it'd cut to my right armpit." His finger traced over his chest, showing the way the blade should move.

She pushed back her hair, already feeling a few streaks sticking against her forehead. Taking a deep breath then, she tried relaxing again. Letting the speed, weight and momentum of the wooden blade do the work, not forcing anything. She only missed him by an inch and still, he didn't even wince - finishing in a position somewhat lower than horizontal with her elbows close to touching her body. It became easier the more she did it.

"Not bad." His nod of approval made her smile widely.

Her arms were getting tired but she wanted to prove to him and herself that she could actually learn something from this. That next time she wouldn't be a little weakling. Even if she failed in the end, at least she wanted to be able to say that she tried defending herself and perhaps even actually succeeded.

And she continued practicing the move over and over again, not noticing Yoongi leaving the side and approaching her from behind. Until she felt a strong arm wrapping around her neck, while another went around her arms, pressing them against her torso. Making her unable to move them.

"Don't forget to keep an eye on your surroundings. Never let your guard down," he whispered. His voice vibrating low in her ear, his warm breath brushing over the back of her neck in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. And her legs grew weak.

"Imagine one of these guys catches and holds you like this, unable to move. What do you do?" His question sounded more like a command and her mind went blank.

Yeah, what would she do?

She bit her lips, weighing out her options to free herself - not that she necessarily wanted to escape Yoongi's embrace. Hell no, if she could she'd stay like this forever. The close proximity, his body heat and his arms wrapped around her, pressing her back against his chest - ultimately clouding her mind. She was in a haze.

However, she had asked him to teach her self-defense and that was what he was trying to do. She knew that, so she had to stay focused and not get distracted by the smell of his scent.

"Maybe.." She sighed. She didn't know. She felt helpless in his grip. Now it was only him, next time it might be someone else. Her hands automatically went up, grabbing onto his arm.

"Good, now shrug your shoulders so you create a space where you can tuck your chin down to your body."

She did as he said.

"Tuck your chin into the crook of my elbow, that's where the most wiggle room is."

She obeyed.

"Now sink down in my hold by bending your knees. Literally drop all your weight."

She bent her knees, dropping her weight.

"Now you get a chance to get out of the headlock by either pulling at my fingers, stomping on my foot or do any other disabling move that you can." His arms loosened around her and let go, stepping back.

Soyeon inhaled deeply and turned around, locking gazes with him. "And what if someone attacks me from the front?"

Yoongi hummed. "There are four soft spots on someone's body that you can punch to hurt an attacker without hurting yourself, can you think of any?"

She squinted her eyes, looking him up and down when her eyes fell on one particular spot. Feeling her cheeks heating up, embarrassed of her own immature behaviour. "Well, I think the most obvious one would be between the legs," she giggled then, peeking at his groin before quickly looking away with folded lips. And he chuckled.

"Right, that's one of them. Can you name another one?" She shrugged, unsure of which other parts there could be. He dragged a sigh. "The throat is one of them," he said then, instinctively holding his neck and rubbing it, "Closing their air pipe for a few seconds gives you time to flee." She nodded, understanding. "The others would be the eyes and the gut. If you kick or punch someone there, it should also give you enough time to flee. Don't go for another strike, though," he warned, looking at her urgently, "Unless you can't run away. Otherwise don't, just run."

She nodded again and looked down at her small hand that shaped into a fist. Her brows knitting together as she fell into deep thoughts. Only his laugh brough her back to her senses and she perked up. Seeing him grin teasinly.

"You wanna try it out on me or why do you look so mad?"

A smirked tucked on her lips. "Only if you give me a reason to."

Shaking his head, Yoongi laughed under his breath and grabbed his sword from where he had left it. Walking back to its sheath, sliding it back in. "It wasn't much, but I hope it'll help you in case I won't be there to protect you," he quietly said then. Not daring to look at her. Missing her lips parting at the mention of him wanting to protect her. Her heart fluttered.

"At least I know more than before now," she quietly smiled, "Thank you. I know you said I shouldn't always say that, but I truly mean it."

He hummed, glancing at her over his shoulder. "It's okay. We can practice more at another time."

She nodded.

"I'd like that."

»»»

"I'll be back soon."

That was all that was written on the note Yoongi had left her while she was taking a shower.

She huffed, letting herself fall onto the couch. Well, at least he let her know.

Her eyes wandered around the living room then, falling onto a bookshelf stacked with books. And instantly she got curious about what kind of books he might like to read. She herself wasn't much of a reader, besides mangas, but as she was bored and didn't know what else to do in his apartment, she walked up there.

From the titles she could tell that they were mostly contemporary fictional works, but also some classics. One cover catching her eye then. So she carefully pulled it out and settled back to the couch, reading it to pass some time until he returned, wherever he had disappeared to.

Not knowing Yoongi was actually not that far away. In fact, he was still in the building.

Letting his eyes wander over the view from up the rooftop. The bright afternoon sun bathing everything in a burning hue. He stood there in the shade as he waited for the ringing dial tone to finally cut off and the person he was calling to pick up. A stern look on his soft features as he inpatiently chewed the inside of his cheek.

"Hello?"

He breathed, revieled his call got answered after all. "Hey, pops, it's been awhile.."

There was a small silence before Seokjin's jarring squeak echoed through the phone line. "Yoongi? To what do I owe the honour of this call? Last thing I know you were somewhere in the mountains."

"H-how did you know?"

"Please.." the older guy laughed out, "I got my sources. I'm an interpol agent after all. You might be in a non-member state, but I still get my info on you."

".. Jimin mentioned meeting you here. Is he your source?"

"Perhaps. But say now, why are you calling? Not that I don't appreciate you not having forgotten about me, but.. I know you didn't just call because you missed me."

Yoongi laughed under his breath. Sure, Jimin had been the one with the weird frenemy-relationship with Seokjin, however, him and Taehyung had also been quite involved in it. Always seeing the leader of the theft department as more than a simple antagonist, considering all the times they had helped each other.

"Actually, yeah. I got your number from Jimin because of a thing.."

Seokjin sighed dramatically. "Oh, no. Did you get back into the criminal life again? I knew Arabella and Jimin couldn't hold back, but I didn't expect you to leave retirement so early."

"That's not the case." He paused, contemplating again. "At least not fully. It's just.. this person I met -"

"I should've known," Seokjin exclaimed with an overdramatic sigh, cutting him off, "Obviously it's because of a woman. Although you didn't strike me as someone like that.."

Yoongi groaned quietly, squeezing his eyes shut. He had forgotten how noisy agent Kim could be. "Yes, it's a woman, but that's not the point. Some guys are after her or rather the necklace her grandfather left her. We don't know why, but there must be more into it since they're persistent -"

"So you're asking me to use my interpol database and connections and try dig some info."

He breathed out. "Yeah, pretty much."

"Hm, didn't Jimin tell you that I stepped down from leader and am rather a paper-pusher now?"

"He did, but I figured your little assistants, Jungkook and Skylar, who're in charge now, wouldn't be too keen in helping out a wanted thief in exile. That's why I'm asking you."

Seokjin hummed, not able to argue with that. He trusted his younger colleagues who were now the leaders of the department, but he wasn't so certain if they'd like helping out one of the thieves who, more or less, gave them the run-around. They knew and respected his unusual relationship with them, but they'd never participate in it.

"What makes you think I'd want to though?" he teased then. "Who knows, I may even get in trouble if it gets leaked that I'm in contact with you guys."

"I know. And I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important."

For a moment it was silent. The agent thinking about his sober words. "Alright, if it's for someone important to you, I'll do it." Before Yoongi could react, he spoke up again. "But only 'cause you saved my ass last year in Cairo. So we're even now."

"S-sure."

"Alright, send me all the info you got and I'll get back to you."

They hung up and Yoongi took a deep breath, quickly making his way back inside into the cool building, not able to stand any longer in the afternoon heat.

He stepped into his apartment, wiping the sweat from his face as he plodded into the open kitchen. Grabbing himself a glass of cold water and gulping it down in one go when the corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of the couch. He set the glass down and paused. Eyes widening when seeing Soyeon sitting there. Too immersed in the book she was reading, one of the novels from his bookshelves, to notice him. A sight he could get used to, having her sit against one side of the couch, knees bent and a book resting against her thighs while her feline eyes carefully glided over the sentences written with a light crease between her brows.

However, what had surprised him more was the sight of her in one of his favourite shirts, which was rather looking like a dress on her petite body. And she looked incredibly beautiful like that. Damp hair flowing over her shoulder and her body engulfed in that large shirt, in his shirt.

He coughed then as a flush crept up his face. "H-hey, sorry for randomly leaving. I had to make a call."

She raised her eyes from the page she was currently reading. Only now realising he had returned. "Oh, you're back!"

"Y-yeah."

She nodded, focusing back on the sentence she had been on. Sliding his note on the page then as a bookmark, she closed the book. Letting it rest on her lep. "Was wondering where you left to," she smiled.

He motioned at her then with his chin. "I see you found my shirts."

She looked down, tucking at the black shirt before folding her lips shyly. "Hope you don't mind. I don't have any other clothes after all. But I swear I didn't snoop around your stuff, I only looked for something to wear."

He simply nodded, looking away with a smile.

"Sure, no problem. It suits you anyway."

»»»

next chapter: 0.5 here

Don't forget to like, reblog & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

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lostfirefly · 4 months

Text

You’ve Got the Same Dream as Me (Ch.5)

Hello, kiddos! The idea for this fanfic came to me from a dream (again) I had about a month ago. Тhe main characters were Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill (don't ask me why), but with a light hand they have been replaced (sorry, guys). The main action of the dream took place somewhere in the sands. Аlthough this fanfic will feature Sir Crocodile and our beloved Buggy, the action shifts to the desert. No marines, ships etc. Sorry, not sorry :) The devil fruit's abilities are preserved. Catch the Mummy and Indiana Jones vibes :) I have no idea how many chapters there will be. Different titles and names from the original source material will be used to emphasise the general OP's vibe.

Since English is not my native language, errors may occur. As always, feel free to share your thoughts :)

And thank you to my dear @yujo-nishimura and @laurasoretta for believing in me :)

Description: Catherine, a librarian who is searching for the trail of her sister who went missing on an expedition. Notes in books and diaries lead her to Cairo. There she finds a retailer from an artifact shop who, in exchange for selling her a map and equipment, insists that Catherine take her along. They get into a little (or maybe a big) adventure..

Warnings: "F" words, slight tension. Adventures and fun are still here. Buggy x OC, Sir Crocodile x OC.

This chapter was a lot of fun and challenging to write. I'm not very good at describing male squabbles. That's why I'm a little worried. As a perfectionist with excellent student syndrome, I tried very hard not to go overboard with everything. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

Words: 2170

The title is taken from «You've Got the Same Dream as Me» (Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli) (One Piece, Netflix)

Taglist: @gingernut1314

I had to added one shitty line. I'm not quite happy with it, but now at least my conscience doesn't bother me 😁

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

"Golly Gosh, his left hand looks like a beehive", Catherine whispered in surprise. At the same moment Rika hissed at her.

The two of them looked at a tall man with purple hair and dark eyes. He was wearing an orange t-shirt, sand-coloured trousers, and massive boots. He was lighting a cigar.

"We? We're not looking for anything. We're just a little lost", Rika whispered, tucking the book into her bag.

"Come on, lassies, nobody drives on this road, unless you've got..... What are you hiding, heh?" he noticed Rika putting the book away.

"Nothing. Just my personal things.."

"Show me!" he bellowed and took a step forward. It felt like his movements made the floor shake.

Catherine and Rika synchronously took half a step back.

"I said sh…

"Heeey, Crocie!"

Catherine heard Buggy's voice from the front doorway.

"Thanks God!" she sighed in relief, a slight smile appearing on her face.

"Buggy the Clown", the tall man turned towards the front door, took a cigar out of his mouth and took two steps forward. "I didn't expect you to be here. To be honest, I thought you'd be chilling out in a bar or lying drunk in a ditch".

"Well, as you can see, I'm full of surprises", Buggy said, spreading his arms.

"By the way, you stole something from me the last time we met. A little black box, remember?" the man leaned over and put the hook around Buggy's neck.

"Crocie, baby, I didn't take anything from you. You got me mixed up with somebody else".

"I wouldn't mistake your nose for anything or anyone, bastard", he put his other hand on the back of Buggy's head with force and drilled him with his dark eyes.

"Crocodile, let him go. I'm not gonna let you get into a fight here", Rayleigh said, glancing over Crocodile's shoulder at Buggy.

"You are so lucky, clown. But remember, there would be no more such exceptions. Now go hide behind those poor girls, because it's the one thing you're best at", he pushed Buggy aside where Rika and Catherine were standing.

"Fucking bastard", Rika said with a whisper.

"I don't give a shit about those three, or your shop, though I must admit you're making some good whisky in your old age. Probably I'm gonna grab a couple of bottles or three just for fun. But you know why I'm here", said the Crocodile, dropping his unlit cigar on the floor and immediately taking out a new one. "Give me the compass", he said in a whisper, leaning towards Rayleigh and putting the hook on the old man’s arm.

Rayleigh placed a small hexagonal brown object on the table.

"Here. Take it", he said with a strange wide smile.

"You see? You’re a good boy. That was easy, right?" Crocodile blew smoke in Rayleigh's face and put the thing in his trouser pocket.

"The compass! I read about it in your sister’s diary", Rika barely audibly whispered this into Catherine's ear.

Catherine suddenly called out to Crocodile.

"Hey, tall man, I don't really know who you are, perhaps you are the coolest man in this desert of yours, but could you buy some whisky and let us talk to this grey…haired… gentleman".

"What are you doing? Are you insane?" Rika asked with a whisper.

"Back off!" Buggy tried to grab Catherine's arm, pulling her toward him. She yanked his arm back.

"Rika, you said you read about that compass. So, we need it, right? And you..", she replied, looking at Buggy, "don't stop me!"

"Are you talking to me, lassie?" Crocodile stretched and turned to Catherine.

"Of course, with you, who else", she walked over to the counter where Crocodile was standing. She discreetly tried to fumble for something heavy with her hand.

"Do you even know who you're talking to? And in that tone of voice?" he put the hook around her waist.

"Are you the local Prince of Persia or something?" Catherine kept her eyes on him as she continued to run her hand discreetly along the counter.

"Listen, clown. Is she with you? Shit, your girl's boring as you are", Crocodile said, running a hook down Catherine's head.

"Let her go, Crocodile", Buggy uttered, clenching his hand into a fist.

"What? Did you mumble something, you stupid clown? I didn't hear you", Crocodile put his hand to his ear.

"I said. Let. Her. Go", he took a few steps forward, putting his back to Rika.

"No, no. like I said, no more exceptions. So, you can give her and her pretty face a short "sorry, good-bye" speech".

At that moment, his hand and leg began to turn into sand.

"What the fuck??" Catherine's eyes darted around.

"What the hell is that??" Rika yelled.

At that same second, something fell backwards and dragged Catherine towards where Rika and Buggy were standing.

"What the fuck is going on?", she stood up quickly and looked at Buggy.

His one hand was holding her denim jacket, the other was dragging Rika towards the exit.

"Holy Christ!! What's wrong with you? Why your hands....", she didn't have time to finish her sentence.

At that moment, Crocodile turned human again and ran towards them. He caught Rika's arm with his hook and brought her down to the floor.

"What the fuck? What the fuck are you? Get off of me!", she tried to get up.

Buggy stood in front of Crocodile, hoping to protect Rika, Crocodile swung his hook, but Buggy separated his body from his legs.

"What the hell is that?", Rika and Catherine shouted with glee, almost breaking their voices.

Buggy reattached his body back.

"Crocodile!", a heavy voice came from behind the man with the hook. Rayleigh stood in front of Crocodile, holding a katana-style hilt., "I said, I won't let you pick fights here".

"Shit. Move!" Buggy yelled at the girls, tried to grab them to get them out of the building.

Crocodile not paying attention to the old man and waved him off, took another swing at Rika but grazed the bag with his hook.

"The book!" he growled, and his hand began to turn to sand again.

"You know, girls, I think, it’s time to exit stage left", Buggy said, take them by the scruff of the neck and drag them outside.

After they were outside, they spotted Crocodile walking briskly out of the shop, holding something in his hand.

"Fuck! The book!" Rika quickly checked her bag and tried to stand up, leaning on her wounded arm. "Fuck!"

"Forget about it, we'll get it back. At least we know where the bastard is going. Although it was obvious enough", Buggy helped Rika up and walked her to the car, "Сathie, honey, are you okay?"

Сatherine was lying on her back in the sand, looking at the sky.

"He turned into sand, he turned into sand.... He just fucking turned into sand. Jesus, tell me it's a hallucination from the heat", she mumbled, shaking her head.

"Hey", she saw Buggy's face above her.

"What in God’s name… you-- you--your body--your hands-- they just did that all…things.. by themselves", she was trying to make some kind of movement with her hands.

"Okay, pie, get up, let's go to the car", he held her by the waist and helped her up.

"Sand. Hands. His arms. Your arms. Your body. His body.. YOUR body. No blood.. There's nothing. Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God. What was that? Please tell me what that was", tears suddenly came out of her eyes.

"Let's just say it's a side effect of the devil fruit", Buggy said, sitting her down on the bonnet of the car, checking for scratches.

"The devil’s… what?" she looked at him with wet eyes.

"Fruit", he wiped her tears with his fingers.

"The only devil fruit I know is durian", she kept muttering to herself.

"Yes, but durian doesn't give you chop chop abilities".

"Ability to what?" the girls asked in unison.

"God, Buggy, I've known you for years, but you've never once said anything about your chop chop shit", Rika punched him in the shoulder, "damn....".

"Honey, hold still. That bastard hurt you, but I think you'll live. I'll take care of you. Wait here", he stepped back and reached into the boot of the car.

Catherine sat on the bonnet, trying to focus on Rika.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?", she leaned over to look at the wound.

"My first battle wound, sustained in a fight with some man who can turn into the fucking Sahara Desert in a second", Rika cursed.

"Girls, if you saw Jinbe, you'd be blown away", Buggy laughed throatily, going back.

"God, he's turning into something, too? Food? Tumbleweed? Or what?" Rika asked, her eyes widening. "Shit, my arm!"

"I said sit still, Rika. I'll sew you up and you'll be as good as new. We should disinfect your wound, but frankly, I don't want to waste good whiskey on you".

"You're very kind, you know that?" Rika said with a slight sneer in her tone.

"I have it!" Catherine said with a squeal. "When I was coming up to this.... what's-his-name. Crocodile... I picked up a bottle of this... Here", she held out a tiny bottle of tequila, about the size of her little finger.

"Yeah, you'd seriously injure Crocodile with a heavy object like that", Buggy couldn't contain his laughter.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't have time to pick out a weapon against a sandman like in a fucking supermarket", she wiped her nose with her sleeve.

"Aaaand, done! Good girl", - Buggy finished stitching up Rika’s arm and checked the steams again. "Good? Good!"

He took her hand and led her to the car.

"Well, pie, are you ready to move on? If that Crocodile didn't scare you, of course", he returned to the bonnet of the car where Catherine was sitting.

"It was very weird. And your chop chop thing is weird too... And..", suddenly she ran her hands lightly over his arms, examining his face and head, "are you okay?".

"Yeah, I'm fine", he gently removed her hands from his head.

"Sorry..."

Buggy cleared his throat.

"So, ladies, how about to get somewhere to camp for the night? After all, I think we need some rest and you still need to come to your senses", he said loudly with a maniac smile on his face.

"That would be lovely, except.. Helloo! Did you miss something? This fucking bastard stole the fucking book", Rika shouted from the car, lying in the backseat. "Sorry.. And the compass".

"Well…Yeah.. Instead of… he didn't take the compass", Catherine said, fiddling with it happily.

⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥫⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭⥭

"I still can't believe you managed to steal that thing from Crocodile", -Rika said, sipping her beer, sitting by the fire, covering herself with a laid plaid. "No offense, of course, but you don't look like.. the girl... who.... well... climbing into a volcano".

She tried to say it as softly as she could.

"As someone said today, I'm full of surprises", Catherine said, sipping whiskey from the bottle.

"Ooh! Someone is finally quoting Buggy the Heroic Clown. I'm flattered", he bowed, taking off his imaginary hat. "Honey, do you know you're already on your second bottle?"

He pointed his finger at a bottle and plopped down on the sand next to Catherine.

"So what? Are you trying to be my mum?"

"God, not again, you guys are boring me. Could you please stop arguing for one night? I’m already sleepy because of you", Rika fake yawned and turned on her other side.

"Hell, looks like that bastard Crocodile got his bloody hook in my head after all", Buggy said, scratching the top of his head.

"Does it hurt?" Catherine asked, checking his head and running her hands through his hair.

"No, I’m ok", he said, gently taking her hands away.

"You know, that.. your… chop chop thing is.. actually.. pretty cool", she said admiringly, taking another sip of whiskey. She set the bottle aside and nestled in his armpit. "Well, I mean, you can separate your body parts and still leave no bloody marks. That's cool. M-m-m.. S-sorry. Can I ask? Did you decide to become one yourself?"

Buggy's face changed.

"No, of course not. Let's just say.. it happened, ok?" he cleared his throat and tried to change the subject. "Listen, are you and your sister close?"

"She's all I have left. Our parents died a long time ago. Why?"

"You.. you just followed her to some unknown destination", he shrugged and placed his hand gently on her wrist.

"She’s my sister. Don't you have someone in your life you'd go on an adventure like this for?"

Buggy thought for a moment.

"I did. A long time ago. By the way, his hair is the same colour as yours. Red. But we went our separate ways a long time ago", he said in a sad voice, putting one of his hands on Catherine's waist and pulling her a little tighter.

Realizing that she had touched on some difficult topic, she decided to remain silent.

"Thank you for saving my life tonight, by the way", taking a deep breath, Catherine closed her eyes. "Good night, Buggy".

"Good night you too, my cotton candy".

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mamaito · 2 months

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What are the most surreal and macabre movies you ever watched? Your favorites?

It's hard to actually find more movies where it is both surreal and macabre at the same time, but there's possibly somewhere out there that I haven't seen yet so here's the ones I've personally watched. Some of them are only surreal and the other just macabre so browse at your leisure.

I seem to have forgotten other movies, my bad. I can't really remember some even if I try to put my head around it. I'll be putting a ✯ symbol to signify that it's my favorite:

Alice (1988) - [✯] A surreal, live action mixed with stop motion animation that is a loose adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's goal is to create a more surreal and dreamlike adaptation as the director was disappointed that other movies of Alice in Wonderland don't bother leaning into it. It is as you'd expect it to be, it is like having a fever dream but the animations of the various character's and design are amazing.

Eraserhead (1977) - [] Those who are a fan of surreal movies will no doubt mention you Eraserhead as it is a more well known one. It is a black and white movie about a man going to his girlfriend's house to ask for not wanting to visit anymore, he gets invited to a dinner with the family only to then find out she got pregnant and had a kid so now they have to marry.

You should experience it for yourself lol, the fun part is just seeing the over exaggerated menial things to the bizarre. This is not my favorite as I prefer something more interesting to analyze and theorize.

Fantastic Planet (1973) - [] Animated film about large blue aliens with human pets. But the human pet then learns of a group of other living humans with no owners forming a resistance against the blue tyrants and go to an all out war. What is there to say other than you should go watch it and see for yourself, the colors are nice.

Hope / Wish (2013) - [] Korean drama film that's about this young girl, So-won, who was assaulted severely to the point of death and the effects of it on her family. Her life has drastically changed and has started to fear men that her own father can't even hold her so he dresses up in this cartoon character just to be close to her. It is very heart wrenching and depressing.

This is based on the real events that happened which is the "Na-young case", and yes the man who disabled and assaulted her is still alive and free. Yes, he is protected by the government like a president. Yes, I will never visit korea because of this.

It's such a beautiful day (2012) - [✯] an animated film that relies sorely on it's narrator and the stick figures shown to you, it is about a man who is suffering from an unknown illness as his memories and vision slowly disintegrates; I really love this movie as it is relatable, I still remember the trailer I watched on youtube and I was entranced by it (I was engrossed by stick figure animations during that time).

This is a movie that you need to experience for yourself as me just describing it to you won't give it much justice, there's also surreal imagery but I don't think it's leaning too hard on it, just down to earth enough to show you the protagonist's decaying mental state.

Guinea Pig Series: Mermaid in the manhole (1988) - [✯] A live action film about an artist looking for inspiration finds an injured mermaid under a manhole. As expected from a gore movie, it is not without nudity and mutilation. What I like about it is the concept of a mermaid being found in such a filthy location of all things rather interesting as I'm so used to seeing them always in either a vast ocean or a certain magical place.

Mad God (2021) - [✯] Another surreal and macabre stop motion film, the plot or rather the perspective of different characters sewed together to create a film is about these assassins sent from above to head down and search for something to prolong their dying world despite it no longer being a redeemable one.

It is a feast for eye pleasing visuals and the dark atmosphere is pretty good, I really miss these kind of animations, most tend to only be short films but this one was made in over 30 years and managed to finish the entirety of it. Just like Alice and It's such a beautiful day, you should experience it for yourself.

Martrys (2008) - [] Live action psychological horror film, a girl from a young age is found and rescued, only to grow up and take revenge against the people who tormented her that day. Another woman, who also grew up alongside her is also abused but grew dependent on the other as she tries to keep the other from succumbing to the psychological torment she is going through. After all that hardship, many things comes to unravel and the woman is left to see it all and then is chosen as a martyr.

There is a lot of plot twists in this film and it doesn't bother to let you catch your breath. There are many things not said to you out loud but the ending is where almost everyone who saw it keeps debating about. If you also want to know what this movie's about, you should go watch it. This could've been one of my favorites but I feel something is missing but I'm not sure what.

Marquis (1989) - [✯] A surreal live action french film, about the life of Marquis De Sade (Where the word sadism came from) in the bastille prison. Most of the actors are wearing animal masks and this movie has a rather unique sense of humor, if we can call it that.. You see, the main character has a talking penis (Yes..) and it is also a character in itself because Marquis De Sade is a known sexual deviant in real life and so in this film he is contemplating and arguing with his penis, Colin, on whether to succumb to his desires or remain in control and focus on his work, letting his sexual desires remain only in erotic literature, which is writing depraved stories like 120 days of Sodom.

I remember seeing a screenshot from this movie on a chan board years ago, about a female cow being tortured and there was a lot of milk being churned out and I knew right away that I needed to watch it. It took me years to find it but here it is lol. Anyway, I liked it because it's just out there.

Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show / Shoujo Tsubaki (1992) - [✯] Japanese animated eroguro film. This is a story about a young girl named Midori, who has become an orphan after her mother passed, she is then taken by a travelling circus as their own and with no other place to go, she complies. There are all kinds of abuse occurring, especially towards Midori, even when she is given an opportunity to lead a better life, it is taken from her right away. The concept of love is questioned, especially in a lawless place where it is the only option for a lesser evil and to a good life.

I cannot stress enough how much I love this film, especially the eroguro movement. I also admire the creator's dedication to fund and finish his own movie by himself. Eroguro movement tackles taboo subjects that the common people do not want to see or acknowledge. It is about a child led astray too soon and left to her own devices for people to take advantage of, when it comes to choosing a partner, she lacks the ability to assess those around her and in turn leaves her up to be abused by one. At the same time it is asking you if you'll deny Midori the right to be with the dwarf when it is the lesser evil that she will ever experience.

It is not for everyone, but as a fan I love it. There is also a live action one, it has a different ending and it has fleshed out Masamitsu, the dwarf further with some changes to it if you're ever interested.

Paprika (2006) - [✯] Animated surreal japanese film, the plot is very hard to understand at first but it is about these researchers who is studying about dreams using a device called DC and record them. But one of these devices got stolen and now this thief has been invading other people's dream and is trying to bring these said dreams into reality.

Now it is up to Paprika, a persona of one of the lead researchers to enter dreams and find who's causing it with the help of a detective, of course. The music is great too because of course it is, Hirasawa Susumu is the one making the music.

The Lighthouse (2019) - [] Black and white live action film about two lighthouse keepers stuck in a remote island together, but due to the weather, their return back home is constantly delayed. The story focuses on their unequal relationship between boss and worker, the secrets they keep to one another and the eventual decline of their sanity.

Throughout the film, you will question everything you'll hear because the two of them are not trustworthy narrators with stories constantly changing without whim. It is hard to tell who exactly is telling the truth but that's the fun of it.

The Lobster (2015) - [✯] A surreal dark comedy movie about a man looking for love in this world where you are punished for not having a partner in 45 days otherwise you'll turn into an animal of your choosing. The movie criticizes both of the extreme sides, those who believe that happiness can be found through having a partner and the individualists who believe that happiness is found where you are alone. People going out of their way to lie just to find a common interest out of fear of being alone and those punishing others just because you are alone and want others to comply with your beliefs.

It is a funny movie, I give you that. The best part for me is when the isolationists are celebrating and they have to bring their own music and dance by themselves and the movie doesn't bother to put a music of it's own. The ending is left to our interpretation on whether the protagonist really went with it or not and whether his lover will continue to wait for him in that diner alone.

The Thief And The Cobbler (1993) - [] An unfinished animated film. It has surreal visuals but it is not macabre. It is a complete feast for the eyes at how much detail and color it has.

The plot is centered around, as you'd expect, the thief and the cobbler. The thief steals from the cobbler and the man tries to get back at the thief but comes across Zigzag, a powerful advisor of the king.

The wolf house / La Casa Lobo (2020) - [] Surreal stop animation film about a german woman, Maria, seeking refuge in Chile, entering a abandoned house so that she can hide from the wolf looking for her only to find two children, symbolizing as pigs and taking them as her own. It is referencing the Nazi's influence in Chile, though I am not fully well informed regarding the political side of what happened in the country, what I did gather from my viewing is a rather oppressive one that's built from propaganda and the like.

Though she claims to mean well in caring for them, the film shows that she thinks lowly of them and that without her, they wouldn't become civilized or human. To Maria, only when they resemble or look like her are they considered as people and the path to happiness which may also be viewed as the remnants of the cult still rubbing off on her to see it that way. At the same time, she is constantly harassed by said wolf, critizing her abilities to be independent from the cult she was once a part of and her ability to take care of two children on her own.

The ending leaves an ambigious conclusion to the three, and whether she survived or not is up for debate. It presents itself as a fairytale like story telling while letting the clausthrophobic atmosphere of the film give off a constant uneasy feeling.

When the wind blows (1986) - [] An animated film about an elderly british couple living in their home till they hear the news of a incoming nuclear attack, you watch as they try to find ways to keep themselves safe in albeit useless and naive attempts as they are clearly not prepared nor knowledgeable against it, even with the help of their pamphlets where the government advises them what to do during it is rather ill informed and gives out confusing instructions.

You get to watch them slowly disintegrate from the effects of the nuclear fallout and die. I do like the art style though, makes me interested in seeing the creators comic version of this movie, eventually.

120 days of sodom (1975) - [] It is a live action film about the ruling people, the government, deciding to take young boys and girls in a secluded castle in order to commit their depraved fantasies into reality. I would say this is a loose adaptation as the director of this movie has decided to put his own interpretations and turning it as a critique on the italian government on how it treats it citizens.

This is one of those unique films that you would never consider having such high quality production to it, and though many people who are just casual viewers would not think twice on what it's trying to say, it may come off as just typical shock value. It is not my favorite but I get the message it's trying to say.

#ask

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nicosavior456 · 8 months

Text

Adventures of Chika Hanabusa: The Restoration of Earth

Disclaimer: This book follows the events of Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus fanfic. This fanfic will not include Trails of Apollo, The Kane Chronicles, and Magnus Chase.

Chapter 6: A Clear Day Before The Storm

Reyna PoV

Two Months Later -

The quest drew near. In times of turmoil like these, many people search out for peace. Whether you found it in a place or a person, it was natural for a person to seek out for their seek out for their safe-haven in this cruel world. Though she takes risks in this game of life, everything she does is for the future of Camp Jupiter. Death is a constant presence that can be felt for a demigod - they are so close to the quest yet so far away. A feeling of unease swept over me, despite the extensive training that some of the best warriors have done before, you could never tell the outcome of a quest. That was something that had scared me during her childhood, the feeling of death lurking around the corner with every passing moment and step.

have faced death multiple times, living the life of a demigod wasn’t easy. Tragedy was written in our blood. The Gods simply loved to play with humans, they were their little pawns. All praise the “mighty” gods, the immortal divinities, illuminating the heavens and governing the world. All hail Sisyphus who rolls the boulder for eternity. The Fates were cruel. But so was the world they lived in, yet part of me still yearned to find beauty within it. Life had a peculiar way of the best of things together.

Brown eyes drifted off into the distance, stopping with the sight of Hyun standing by her side. The daughter of Hecate held a brown leather bag in her grasp, containing her trusty bow and arrow that had served her well on numerous occasions. But rather paying attention to her weapons, Hyun’s hands were tangled in her black hair, strand framing her face as she made a neat ponytail. Her hands moved in a rhythm pattern, a similar pattern to that of my hands while doing my own hair. Smiling ear to ear, confidence radiated from Hyun’s emerald eyes, seemingly changing hues every so often.

sweat had formed on Chika’s forehead beside me. Her brown eyes filled with worry and her nose scrunched up, she still possessed an ethereal beauty. Upon sensing my intense gaze on her, Chika turned to meet my gaze that had softened at the girl. Her eyes, big and brown, were seemingly a passage to her soul. A mix of her emotions, one of happiness and her anxiety was spilling out. In her best attempt, she gave a subtle smile gracing her ethereal complexion. In that enchanting moment when nothing else seemed important but Chika’s smile, my heart skipped a beat.

"Reyna, are you alright?" Asked Chika, her voice was gentle and melodious. Like the captivating call of a siren, her voice had the power to entrance and mesmerise my soul. But was I truly okay? Fatigue weighed heavily on me. I was afraid. Afraid of failing down the mission. These were emotions that humans knew well, but for someone like me, they felt foreign and unfamiliar. As the one who had been on the most quests among the three of us, I should have been the one offering guidance. Yet, here I was, feeling utterly useless and incompetent. The quest for the statue of Athena haunted my thoughts. So many lives lost, including those of my friends. I had come dangerously close to meeting my own demise. It was as if death had decided to spare innocent souls, sparing me from its clutches. Placing my hand delicately on Chika's shoulder, I treated her with care, as if she were a fragile doll. With a deep inhale, I managed to muster a response, though my words came out with a stilted and tense, "I'm alright...".

I found myself standing upon a hillside, the breathtaking view of Camp Jupiter in front of me. The sun delicately embraced the horizon, suspended as if by a mere thread, its vibrant hues gracefully painted across the sky. The colours of the sunset danced with ethereal beauty. Suddenly, I heard Chika's voice calling out to me from behind. Her short, black hair bounced around as she approached, her warm, brown eyes radiating pure joy. In contrast, my eyes appeared dull when put beside her figure. Standing beside Chika was Hyun, who couldn't help but laugh at her own jokes when no one else would. Her luscious black hair cascaded down past her waist, a contrast to Chika's shorter locks. Her eyes were soft and the startling yet mesmerising colour of emerald stones, shining beautifully in the soft light of the sunset. Chika held a wooden basket in her hand as they both settled down on the grass beside me.

Chika exclaimed, "I brought us some food! This will be our last lunch together at Camp Jupiter. Well before the mission" One thing that has always struck me about Chika is her purity. She possesses a unique strength, yet remains soft and sincere towards others, almost like a princess. On the other hand, Hyun is the complete opposite. She had confidence and was a strong fighter, never afraid to speak her mind. She had been at Camp Jupiter longer than me and was the one who introduced me to everything. Despite her beauty and strength, Hyun's confidence sometimes leads to her downfall. But somehow, I trust both of them too much for my own good.

Over the past two months, they have become my closest friends. Hyun makes me feel the same way I do when I'm with Nico - a desire to protect her, even though she is powerful in her own right. However, with Chika, my heart feels different. It's a feeling akin to what I have with Jason. Or at least what I did.

The bread was dry. Or at least that was my initial thought. Meanwhile, Hyun and Chika were devouring their sandwiches leaving behind a trail of white crumbs everywhere. I wasn’t hungry but I felt Chika’s eyes on me, perhaps she was waiting for me to finish my sandwich. Reluctantly, I took a small bite and slowly made my way through the sandwich. The bread felt dry and stale, the tomatoes were overly soft and the meat tasted uncooked. I couldn't bring myself to finish it, so I set the sandwich down and gazed out at the distant horizon. Hyun dug her nails into my thigh, I don’t flinch though. I met her gaze and she silently signaled for me to compliment Chika's sandwiches. Letting out a sigh, I gently moved her hand away, revealing the nail marks that she had left on my skin.

“The sandwich was amazing”

I tell Chika and her face lights up with pure joy. “Oh! Thank you so much!” She said in a flustered tone. Her words echo in my ears, filling me with a twinge of guilt. Despite my words of lies, she remains unaware, her smile radiating innocence. Each passing minute feels like an eternity, as if time itself has slowed to a crawl, reminiscent of the titan Kronos returning to wreak havoc. Meanwhile, Chika sits on the grass, her eyes closed in deep concentration as she meditates. On the other hand, Hyun fixes her gaze upon her own reflection in the mirror, seeming that they had forgotten the dangers of our mission. The danger that Eris poses is not to be underestimated. The goddess is responsible for igniting one of the most significant wars in Greek history - the Trojan War. It all started with a golden apple and the foolish actions of Paris. Enyo, the goddess of destruction, stands as a powerful deity alongside her brother Ares. Together, they are an unstoppable duo. Enyo is powerful. Enyo is unstoppable. But, Enyo is my mom. It is not easy for me to admit, but bitterness consumes my heart as I think about Enyo's role in my life. She abandoned my sister and me when we needed her the most, neglecting her duty as a parent to support us through our most challenging times. That is what parents are meant to do. Right?

From the distance, a certain son of Discord approached us, a clear expression of concern etched on his face, his gaze towards Hyun. Sensing the gravity of the situation, I nudged Hyun gently, prompting her to look up at Ben Sinclair. His eyes, ablaze with a fiery hue were easily visible even from afar, and his dark brown hair only added to his striking appearance. Without wasting a moment, Hyun swiftly got to her feet and began jogging towards her childhood friend. Her steps were both rapid and silent, a skill she had honed during numerous secret missions. As she reached him, their interaction seemed almost hazy to me. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but I noticed Ben picking a golden necklace from his pocket and placing it around Hyun's neck before embracing her tightly. Expectedly, Hyun, who had always been quite emotionally expressive, hugged him back, seemingly on the verge of tears. Whatever had happened between them had clearly left her deeply unsettled. After Ben departed, she slowly made her way back to us, every step laden with a sense of burden. It was as if she were to be Atlas, carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, with the pain etched deeply into her pale face.

Gently tapping her shoulder, I look at Hyun wanting to help her as any friend would. Her expression was sorrowed and her eyes blank yet so full of guilt. Like she had just been pulled away from what she loved. Or being told that Camp Jupiter had run out of mascara. Her eyes were almost bloodshot, tears being held back in an almost failing attempt. Her expression clearly told me to leave her alone, all left to do was to watch her leave. Her cheerful essence and sweet voice are still ringing in my head. What did they even speak about? I reach out my hand, before pulling away as her black hair leaves my eyes and into the crowd of a hundred. She was always a part of me, the bright side I couldn’t show. Yet she stood there and helped me become who I was now. And now here I was, not understanding that part, seemingly losing a part of my own soul into a mystery. A mystery I love but can’t solve.

As I wondered about what happened to Hyun that she acts this way, I saw Chika walking up to me and look nervously for a second. She has closed her hands to her chest while she breathing slowly as she tries to calm herself of the dangers ahead.

“Hey Reyna, do you think we can survive the quest? I’m an inexperienced demigod, I worried if I will hold you and Hyun back” her says in a low, nervous one while she looks on to me as if to expect that I will comfort her and comfort her I shall. I give her a long hug and stroke her short hair while she purrs like a cat.

Her hair smells very nice and and she feels so soft. She snuggled up to my chest and I hold on for all eternity.

“We will be fine in the quest and I know you are stronger than you think.” As I kept on holding and comforting her, she need this.

“You think I’m strong?” Chika asked in uncertainty, This poor girl needs to have some confidence, I hope this quest will boost it.

“I don’t think you are. I know you are strong” I say in a loud but gentle voice. I really need to be careful with sounding not to loud, I guess I’m so used to being a Praetor that this voice is just natural.

As I hug her close, she gives me a quick peck on a check and I blushed madly, what have this girl done to me. I can’t control myself around.

“Thank you Reyna I needed that.” Chika smiles softly in front of me. This girl is driving me crazy, I was never like this with Jason.

“Hey lovebirds while you were busy smooching, I got all of our weapons, clothes, and other stuff. Now Praetor, are you ready to say your goodbyes to your legionnaires.” Hyun appeared like she came out of the shadow, How much has she saw.

The whole legionnaires just come towards Chika and I while they are waiting for a speech.

“Legionnaires I have entrust the protection of New Rome upon you. Defend your home in the name of the Gods and in the name of your loved ones. Preator Frank and his lover, Hazel Levesque will guide and protect you while I’m gone. My group will survive the quest and we will defeat Eris and Enyo. This is my declaration, my promise, to finally bring prosperity among New Rome. Now who is with me.” I shout in pride and I screamed a war cry.

“All Hail Praetor Reyna!!!” They shout on repeatedly while Hyun and Chika look on to me with impression shown on their facial features. All three of us begin to walk outside the borders while the each of us holds our respective magical pouches, which Hyun prepared for us. These pouches are a life saver, we don’t have to spend hours on packing for ourselves.

“Quite the speech Praetor, the legionnaire will be inspired for a week. Hopefully that they will be fine once we are gone. Now that the speech is over, you guys wanna shadow traveled?” Hyun says in a mischievous tone and a evil smirk. She gather the shadows around and we were forced to become one with the shadows.

“Noooo, AHHHHHH” Chika shouts in horrified scream while she feels her body disintegrating into the shadows. The poor girl is obviously terrified of the power and I don’t blame her. Even after all of my travels with Nico Di Angelo, I still hate that blasted power but it has proven to be effective. I wish Hyun will give us a warning next time, I swear Hyun impatience will give us problems in the quest. No matter, all three of us will bring the end to Eris and Enyo scheming once and for all.

#pjo #pjo fanfic #pjo ocs #reyna x oc #eris #enyo

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fanartfic · 6 months

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BG3 AU where Tav was a retired adventurer living a comfortable life with her family before the Nautaloid attack on Baldur’s gate.

Featuring Tav and Halsin: Dealing with Loss/comfort/coping

Tav woke with a start, staring up at the blue sky above her. She sat up, looking around in bewilderment, which quickly turned into outright panic.

“Japheth? Terryn?” She called, hastily getting to her feet. “Japheth! Terryn!” She made her way towards the wreckage of the ship, spread out over a huge swath of the shoreline. She ran towards it, still shouting the names of her daughter and husband. She rushed into the flaming wreckage, finding herself in the bridge of the ship. An injured mind flayer lay pinned beneath some rubble. She felt it try to influence her, force her into helping it.

Tav ignored it. She forced down the lump of fear in her throat and continued searching. “Japheth! Terryn!” She cried out again, running out of the other side of the room.

That was when she saw it. A small pale hand, poking out from the wreckage. An amethyst and tiger-eye bracelet wrapped around the wrist.

“Japheth!” Tav ran over and began hauling the wreckage off the small form. “Hold on, sweetheart, I’m here. I’m getting you out!” She grabbed on to the last piece of nautaloid hull and hauled it off of the small broken form.

“No. . . No, no, no, no, NO!”

Tav fell to her knees and screamed. Her sight dimmed with the tears innumerable which ran streaming down her face. She gathered the motionless form of her little girl into her arms and sobbed, holding Japheth close, rocking back and forth.

“Oh gods, why?” She cried out again, clutching her to her chest.

She wept, screamed, and raged at the gods who would listen.

Japheth was gone.

Tav didn’t know how long she had remained there. It wasn’t until she heard someone shouting in the distance that she looked up. Her eyes burned, whether from her tears or the smoke, she did not know. Her chest ached with the overwhelming grief that had taken over her.

“Terryn. . . I have to find Terryn.” Tav slowly got to her feet, cradling Japheth in her arms. Her body was beginning to grow cold and stiff. “I have to find your father.”

Tav wandered aimlessly through the carnage, still carrying her daughter in her arms. As the light began to dim, she saw a form laying out on the sand near the beach. She rushed towards it, hoping beyond hope that it was Terryn.

It was another Baldurian, crushed and broken during the Nautoloid crash. Tav thought she had seen this one in the market before they had been taken. She looked up from the body and glanced down the shore. A glint in the sand caught her eye. She walked towards it, thinking it might at least be something useful. She instead sobbed when she drew closer.

It was Terryn’s sword. Whether he was wandering the streets of Baldur’s Gate, or traveling with her through the surrounding forests, he always wore it at his side. It was a family heirloom he had hoped to pass down to Japheth.

Tav set her daughter down gently and picked up the blade. It was old, from the founding of Baldur’s Gate. Japheth’s ancestor had helped Balduran in the founding of the city. A fact his whole family had been proud of. The etching of the golden hilt was worn and faded, and the family crest was illegible, but the blade itself, rumored to be adamantine, shown like the purest silver.

Tav slid the sword into her belt, then lifted her daughter from the sand. She struggled to her feet. The adrenaline from before had worn off, and she could feel her wounds and bruises. But she had to keep looking. She had to find Terryn.

She had wandered towards what looked like an old temple when she spotted another body on the beach, a dead intellect devourer lay in a bloody splotch nearby. A familiar blue scarf lay tattered beside it.

Tav approached slowly, the tears beginning to run down her cheeks again. As she knelt down to pick up the scarf, she looked over at the body nearby. Black hair, pale skin, and green eyes stared lifelessly into the sky above him.

“Terryn. . . No. . Not you too.”

Tav stumbled over to him and bent down beside him, clutching at the fabric of his blood-soaked shirt.

“Oh gods!” Tav cried into the void. She collapsed onto Terryn’s chest, still clutching her daughter’s lifeless body in the other arm and wailed.

Everything around her fell silent, as if the surrounding wildlife respected her right to grieve.

Then everything went black. Glimpses of enemies from past battles fought flitted around her like wraiths. Cold fingers grasped at her hands as she heard her daughter’s voice call out to her, crying desperately for help.

“Japheth? Japheth hold on! I’m coming! Mommy’s coming!”

<…>

“Tav, Tav, wake up!”

Tav jolted awake from her meditation, her fist pulled back for a punch. Strong, kind, calloused hands grasped her shoulders as the comforting voice spoke again.

“Easy, Tav. You were having a nightmare again.”

Tav looked up at the owner of the voice. Halsin, the burly elven druid who had joined their camp after they rescued him from the clutches of the goblins, was kneeling beside her. She wasn’t at the Nautoloid crash anymore, but in her camp nestled safely away from the ravages of the Shadow Curse. They had only just arrived there from the path in the Underdark.

“Are you alright?” He asked again, relinquishing his hold on her.

Tav pulled her knees up to her chest, hiding her face behind a curtain of her hair. “I will be, eventually,” she said quietly, desperately trying to quell the tears that had begun to drip from her eyes.

It had been weeks since the Nautoloid crash. Tav had been having nightmares ever since. Some were easy to get past.

Others rocked her to her very core.

She had met the others shortly after burying her husband and daughter. She hadn’t told a single soul about them. They had no clue. None of them knew, and Tav didn’t wish to burden them. After all, they each had problems of their own.

But Halsin’s eyes. . . he looked at her with concern and kindness. He had always been there to pull her out of a dark nightmare; Tav knew he had experienced the kind of loss she had, or at least something similar. People who had experienced the grief that they had were always drawn to each other. Like the way Terryn and her had been before they left the life of adventuring.

“Tell me, what troubles you?” Halsin asked, resting a comforting hand on the center of her back.

Tav took in a deep breath. “I don’t want to talk about it right now, Halsin.”

“As you wish,” Halsin pulled his hand away. “You should try to rest then.”

He moved to stand. Something within Tav twinged, and memories from her past life flooded to her.

“You still won’t ask for help, will you? You don’t have to carry all your burdens alone, you know. If someone offers to help, gods damn it, let them.”

Terryn’s words. He had said them to her on a quest to the north, when an orc horde threatened the settlements there. Tav had been trying to figure out the defenses all by herself, not knowing that Terryn had served on the Flaming Fists as a captain for a while. She had been so used to being alone and solving her own problems that she had had a difficult adjustment to working in a group. He often got frustrated with her about it.

Halsin had lingered a moment looking down at her before turning to return to his tent. She heard him sigh heavily as he turned away. Tav reached out just in time to grasp one of his large fingers.

“Wait,” she choked out.

Halsin abruptly turned and knelt down beside her again, his hand touching her shoulder. “Tav?”

“Please don’t go.”

Halsin looked around the rest of the camp before moving to sit beside Tav on her bedroll. He found it odd that she preferred to sleep by the fire instead of in her tent. Everyone else was asleep. He looped a heavy arm across her shoulders and held her close. Tav leaned into him, pulling her hair away to reveal her tear streamed face. She could feel his concern before she even looked up into his eyes.

“What troubles you, my friend?” Halsin asked softly, wiping away a tear from her cheek.

“My nightmares. . .” Tav began. “They keep coming back. I keep reliving the same moments over and over again, every night.”

She covered her face in her hands. “I can’t get them to stop. No matter how much I try to distract myself from it, I still see their faces.”

She stifled a few more sobs, clutching something beneath her tunic. She held on to it like her life depended on it. Halsin reached over and took the clenched hand in his. A silver chain around her neck stopped him from pulling it his own heart.

“Whose faces?” He asked gently.

Tav slowly unclenched her hand. A silver locket and a wedding band lay in the palm of her small, weathered hand. She opened the locket, revealing the family portrait within one face, and a lock of hair in the other.

“My daughter, and my husband.” She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

Halsin could feel his heart breaking for her. She had never spoken of any loved ones before now, and instead treated the whole camp as her family. Her motherly attention to the rest of the group had encouraged and saved each and every one of them at some point in their journey. He looked at the face of the little girl staring back at him with bright green eyes. She took after her father, who appeared to be a half-elf.

“She is beautiful,” Halsin gently touched the locket with the tip of his finger.

Tav sniffed and nodded her head. “She was. She was my light, my joy, my whole world. Her and her father.” She gazed longingly at the pictures in the locket, her shoulder’s shaking as she broke into sobs again. Halsin didn’t hesitate and pulled Tav into his arms, letting her release all of the pain and grief she had been holding in for so long. Had he known the burden she carried, he would have tried to help her sooner. He knew all too well the guilt of being a survivor. He rubbed her back gently until she was still once again.

Tav remained where she was, comforted by the druid's warmth, her face hidden in his shirt. She found its earthy scent of leather and herbs comforting to her, reminiscent of her farm along the banks of the Chionthar. Oh how she longed to return there to simpler times, before there were illithid tadpoles, cults, and shadow curses.

After taking in a few deep breaths, she realized where she was. Halsin had picked her up like a child and moved her into his lap to better comfort her. His embrace was gentle, and he ever so slightly rocked back and forth. His chin rested on top of her head.

Terryn used to hold her the same way.

Tav reached up and tapped Halsin’s hand where he gripped her shoulder. Halsin cleared his throat and let her return to her spot on the bedroll. He rested a hand onto one of hers, rubbing her scarred knuckles with his thumb. He wasn’t sure if she would continue, but he asked anyway.

“What happened to them?”

Tav closed the locket and tucked it back into her tunic. “We were in the market selling wares from our crops when the Nautoloid attacked. We got separated.” Tav took in a shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. “I didn’t find them again until after the crash, and by then, it was too late.”

“Tav, I-“ Halsin paused, not sure how to continue. “I am so sorry,”

Tav leaned into his arm. “I buried them outside of that ruined temple, near where the Emerald Grove is. I don’t even know if I’ll ever be able to return there.” She stared into the depths of the fire. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying. She looked tired. Oh so tired.

“You will,” Halsin tucked a loose strand of hair behind Tav’s pointed ear. His fingers lingered on the soft line of her cheek. “I will make sure of that.”

Tav turned to him, her grey eyes revealing her cautious wisdom. “Don’t make a promise you can’t keep, Halsin.” She warned him. “You’ve made plenty of difficult ones already, and have given up much to fulfill them.” She reached up and took the fingers that graced her cheek in her own.

He realized she was just like him; burying the pain of her loss with the needs of those surrounding her. And she had seen his need when he had last spoken with her about the Shadow Curse.

“Tav. . .”

“Please Halsin. Just talk to me.” Tav pleaded. “I need to focus on something else or I will drown in my own grief.”

Halsin sighed and looked at her determined eyes. “Very well. What would you like to know?”

Tav shifted and sat cross-legged, a hand on each knee, facing Halsin. “How do we break the Shadow Curse? You said you would tell me more when we got here, and well—“ she gestured at the inky blackness around them. “We’re here.”

Halsin shifted to mirror Tav, “I did, and I am a man of my word.” He thought for a moment, wondering where to begin. “This land is more than just soil and rock, tree and root. It is alive: and it takes the form of a boy with the forest in his eyes.”

“A boy?”

“Yes, his name is Thaniel. And he is a very dear friend.” Halsin fiddled with his hands as he continued. “If I can find him, help him somehow, then perhaps I can lift the curse.”

“Any ideas on where to look?” Tav asked, lacing her fingers together, her elbows on her knees.

“I have an idea, but no firm direction.”

“What does he look like?”

Halsin began to speak, but found himself at a loss. “I. . . It’s been so long I can’t remember specifics.”

“Except that the forest was in his eyes?”

Halsin sighed in frustration. “I need to think on it. It has been more than a century since I last saw him.”

Tav touched his knee. “It’s alright, Halsin. I’ll keep an eye out for him.” She reassured him. “Can’t be too many boys running around out there.”

Halsin covered her small hand with his own. “I cannot thank you enough,”

“There’s no need, really.”

Halsin squeezed her hand gently. “You’re too modest. I wager you don’t know how extraordinary you truly are,” he said softly.

Tav shrugged. “Maybe I’ll remember someday, if you keep telling me.”

The two sat in silence for a moment before Tav let out a long yawn. “I should try to grab what sleep I can,” she said, rubbing her forehead. She looked up at the big druid, his eyes kind, and still glinting with a hint of concern. “Thank you, Halsin. You have helped me more than you could know.”

“I am here for you, anytime,” Halsin gripped her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Rest well.”

“You too.”

Halsin stood and walked slowly back to his tent, rubbing the back of his neck. Tav watched him go before laying back down on her bedroll. She lay there for a moment before suddenly getting up, and dragging her bedroll back to her tent. She closed the flap and flopped back down, the darkness surrounding her like a blanket.

She felt her cheeks grow hot when she recalled Halsin’s comfort to her. She shook her head.

“Gods, don’t think about that, you were a married woman less than a month ago!” She scolded herself, rolling over.

But still, his kind words, his tender touch, and the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled made their way back into her thoughts. She pulled out the locket and opened it. Even though she couldn’t see it very well, she knew the eyes of her husband and daughter were staring back out at her.

“I don’t know what else to do, but to keep moving forward, my loves,” she whispered, gently closing the locket and pressing it to her lips. She closed her eyes, and hoped for a peaceful sleep.

~fin

#fanfic #baldurs gate tav #baldur's gate iii #baldur's gate oc #baldur’s gate fanfiction #my tav #tav bg3 #tav backstory #bg3 fanart #bg3 halsin

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i-am-literal-nightmare-fuel · 10 months

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okay my first OC post was boring let’s change that (MAIN 4 SIBLINGS EDITION)

Aether Williamson (Age 34)

daughter of: Alejandro Williamson, Rebecca Williamson

mother of: Alexis Black (Deceased)

Description:

Aether is quite a horrible person, actually. She is guilty of tax fraud and evasion, murder, stalking and a lot more. Living in the town of ironvile, she does not enjoy her time there. Divorced from James Black after the death of their daughter (which was her fault) Aether moved away, finding an unclaimed plot in an unclaimed country that she named her own, Sleep Island. She runs a casino and is very much a scammer. After a fall out with a friend, and that friends death, she moves again, this time into literal hell. She builds a glass dome and grows some flowers, finding a peaceful life.

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Blythe Williamson (Age 34)

Daughter of: Alejandro Williamson, Rebecca Williamson

Mother of: Bloom Williamson (Deceased)

description:

you’d think one of these would be good people, hah no! Blythe runs a fashion company, where she pushes unachievable body standards onto young girls. She undergoes a lot of suffering after rejected by 15 different guys in high school because she wasn’t a stick figure, which influences her line of business. In a moment of sheer insanity after her daughters death, she gets into a fight with her husband Karl Smith and kills him with the kitchen knife (don’t fight in your kitchens kids). Supposedly prior to the murder of her husband, she was seen with a voodoo doll that almost looked like the infamous god of death. Blythe loses her leg to what she claims was an animal after following a cloaked man into the forest and begins to realise the wrongs of her ways, changing her fashion line to accept people of any body shape.

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Carlos Williamson (Age 39)

Son of: Alejandro Williamson, Rebecca Williamson

Father of: None

Description:

Carlos claims to be ‘god’ when in fact he is a rouge god like man. Carlos once stood at the side of god and was his right hand man until in a moment of despair and hopelessness he turned to Lucifer for help. A mistake that he will always regret. As payment, Carlos was twisted into what people call a human glitch. In immortality he knows will always be alone and in a violent search for the fountain of youth in hopes to destroy it and redeem himself, he found himself lost in the woods looking for a fountain that didn’t exist when he runs into a lost traveler. Carlos is kind of a dick, and is rude and snarky when it isn’t appropriate. He never redeems himself.

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Kyle Jones (Age 22)

Son of: Thomas Jones, Rebecca Williamson

Father of: None

Description:

Kyle is a rather simple and well kept guy, he steers a bit clear from his siblings, respectfully. He’s a rather big Indiana Jones fan and always wanted to go on adventures and hunts himself. So he decides to go look for the fountain of youth, destroy it. When he gets himself lost and lives in that forest for two years, he eventually meets a traveler who he swore looked like his brother but heavily ‘glitched’. Kyle eventually moves to Ironvile in hopes of reconciliation with his sisters, when he finds Blythe has been put into a mental institution (yes, they still have those) and that Aether is off the grid. He gives up and settles down in the eastern side of Ironvile.

#oc posting #OC:Kyle #OC:Carlos #OC:Aether #OC:Blythe #This is just the siblings

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strwbmei · 5 months

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Hi Mei question what are you favorite characters from all fiction? Because in my case i have about top 10 list plus honorable mentions:

1. Spider-man (Peter Parker and Miles Morales) (Marvel Comics)- I honestly love these two spider-man because how relatable they are. Not to mention i feel like they are the definition of responsability. I honestly related to Peter Parker's nerdy actitud and humor along with Miles's personality wise. I also love the fact thag Miles have a strong love for his family as well. Not to mention both of these characters don't give up no matter how hopeless things gets.

2. Superman (DC Comics)- Some people considered superman boring but i really love his caracter because he embodies Hope. Not to mention he is someone who always tries to do what is right and have a very strong moral compass. I still remember when i was younger and saw superman returns when he lifted the kypotonite Island. Even when it was killing him he still keep going and never gave up that's is inspiration.

3. Batman (DC Comics)- If we ignored all the batman with prep time thing. Batman is actually a well written character. Especially since he tries to do the right thing for his city. I also love the fact that even though he is human and is very aware of that he plans ahead and works very hard. The fact that mlst characters in the DC world respects him that speaks volumen.

4. Optimus Prime (Transformers)- I love optimus prime for me he is what a leader should be. Selfless, just and someone who always fights for freedom no matter what. He is the leader that i wish i could be.

5. Kratos (God of war franchise). To a bloodthirty and revenge seeking spartan to a reedem warrior. As someone who played the OG god of war games. Kratos in the recent years have one of the best character development, especially now in the recent DLC.

6. Anakin Skywalker Aka Darth Vader (Star Wars)- he went to a slave to the Dark lord of the Sith. Once a hero became the villain by fear of lost of loved one. For me Anakin is a tragic character who wanted to protect the love of his life but failed and became the thing he was supposed to destroy. At the end he was redeemed thanks to his son.

7. Black Panther (Marvel Comics)- i love his character intelligent, strong and just for his people and his kingdom. The fact that Chadwick Boseman (Rest in Peace) played such and awesome character made it better.

8. Wonder Woman (DC Comics)- The proud amazonian and a proud member of the Justice League. She is strong, honorable and compassionate making her an Icon and a part of DC trinity.

9. The Flash (Barry Allen, DC comics)- i love is perseverance and willpower since he never gave up on searching for his mother's killer. After becoming the fastest man alive is character development continue and his death on infinite crisis was a huge moment.

10. John Wick (John Wick series)- the legendary baba yaga this man willpower and tenacity made me love his character by a lot. He has an impresive body count and commites to his mision. To think all of that started with a puppy left behind by his late wife. What i like about his character is that he never stop until he got his revenge.

Honorable Mention

Issac Clarke (dead space series)- An engineer who was on the wrong place at the wrong time. To a dependable and selfless survivor.

Kiana Kaslana (Honkai Impact 3rd)- the naive girl to the strongest valkyrie in the honkai series.

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider series)- one of the greatest if not THE greatest Adventurer in all of gaming.

Nathan Drake (Uncharted)- One of sony most charming and beloved characters.

Leon Kennedy (Resident Evil series)-Rookie cop to a well experience agent of the resident evil franchise.

I see you like superheroes! My siblings were mostly into anime, so that's what I grew up with instead of Marvel/DC comics. I've been wanting to get into them for years now, but there are so many movies and heroes that it's a bit overwhelming... I also don't have the attention span to sit through an entire movie.

I wouldn't be able to choose any favorites with how much fiction I've read/watched/played, but here are some characters I've really enjoyed recently in no particular order:

Dr. Mobius - She's insane. Literally. She has a sad backstory, but it doesn't tie that much into why she goes to such extents to achieve her goals. I just like morally grey characters in general. I also really like her dynamics with the other flamechasers!

Frieren - She's so unserious, but she's come a long way. She went from not really caring about humans, only spending her time pursuing magic, to actively helping out anyone she sees in need like Himmel used to. To be loved is to be changed, they say. She's just an old woman traveling around the world with her adopted grandchildren while collecting the remaining traces of the 10-year adventure that she treasured the most in her 1000+ years alive.

Rudeus Greyrat - Okay. Before people burn me alive, he's absolutely disgusting and a pedophile. Yet, at the same time, that's what makes his character development way more impactful. He went from worse than trash and the maggots living inside it to worse than cattle, which is still a pretty big improvement in my book. The main reason why I put him here, though, is because of the scene where he reunited with his father. I'm not a very expressive person, but that scene had me tearing up because of how relatable it was.

Elysia - I love her, and the best part is that she'd probably love me too! She went through so much, saw the worst of humanity, and still decided to love the entirety of it. I really admire how she can see beauty in anything and everything. She wasn't even supposed to exist. She was an anomaly, and yet she was what saved everyone. Also, the one thing we have in common is our love for pretty girls.

Miles Morales - ITSV and ATSV are one of the only Marvel movies I've watched, and I enjoyed both of them immensely! They blended 2D and 3D animation techniques so well together, the halftones were used really well, and all of the colors really made the characters pop. I could go on for hours about how well the movies were animated, but back to the point— even though he's a hero, and a very reliable one at that, the show doesn't let us forget that he's still a kid. He still has to balance his responsibilities while at the same time, fighting crime and dealing with puberty. He also just seems like a really chill person to be friends with. We're both into similar branches of science and art, so I think we'd get along pretty well.

#・❥・strwb inbox #so sorry for how long this turned out...

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jasper-the-menace · 8 months

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10 books you've read reacently?

Ask Me My Top 10/Top 5 Anything

All summaries copied from Amazon.

1: Codex Black book 1: A Fire Among Clouds | Camilo Moncada Lozano

Donají is a fearless Zapotec girl who, even though she’s only fifteen, is heralded as a hero by her village. In Codex Black, Donají sets out on an adventure--accompanied by the god that lives inside of her poncho--to find her missing father. Along the way, she meets a 17-year-old winged Mexica warrior named Itzcacalotl, and over time their temporary partnership blooms into an incredible friendship.

The search brings the young pair closer to danger and deeper into mystery than either could have predicted. What exactly was Donají’s father involved with? And how did a simple search for a missing relative lead Donají and Itzcacalotl into a fight with a terrifying bat monster to defend an entire village?!

2: Red, White & Royal Blue | Casey McQuiston

When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius―his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations.

3: Shark Heart: A Love Story | Emily Habeck

For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.

At first, Wren internally resists her husband’s fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis changes? Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with a college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. Woven throughout this bold novel is the story of Wren’s mother, Angela, who becomes pregnant with Wren at fifteen in an abusive relationship amidst her parents’ crumbling marriage. In the present, all of Wren’s grief eventually collides, and she is forced to make an impossible choice.

4: Straight | Chuck Tingle

When a strange tear in the cosmos appears within Earth’s annual path, the consequences are disastrous. For one night a year, the vast majority of humans now undergo a frightening mental change, transforming into hateful, rage-fueled zombies who will stop at nothing to satiate their desire for brutality.

While not much is understood about this horrific mass hysteria, the demographic it effects is very specific: cisgender straight people.

A few years after the first of these tragic events, four friends from across the queer spectrum look for safety in solitude, hunkering down in a remote desert cabin for what is now known as Saturation Day. With a vaccine available for straight people to curb their violent episodes, some predict the worst is over. Others aren’t so sure.

As night falls, it becomes clear that survival isn’t guaranteed this Saturation Day.

(Also read Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle, preorder Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle, and also get into the erotic Tingleverse alongside the horror Tingleverse. That's a threat.)

5: Legends & Lattes | Travis Baldree

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success ― not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

6: The Locked Tomb series 1: Gideon the Ninth | Tamsyn Muir

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

7: The Complete Chi's Sweet Home part 1 | Konami Kanata

Chi is a mischievous newborn kitten who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, finds herself lost. Separated from the warmth and protection of her mother, feels distraught. Overcome with loneliness she breaks into tears in a large urban park meadow, when she is suddenly rescued by a young boy named Yohei and his mother. The kitty is then quickly and quietly whisked away into the warm and inviting Yamada family apartment...where pets are strictly not permitted.

8: Lady Tan's Circle of Women | Lisa See

According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.

But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.

How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions, go on to treat women and girls from every level of society, and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a captivating story of women helping other women. It is also a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.

9: The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure | Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro (who is CARRYING the book may I say)

As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life—literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that's been the case so far...

Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades's realm. Nico's dreams and Rachel Dare's latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico's mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to "leave something of equal value behind?"

Nico will have to face demons both internal and external as his relationship with Will is tested to the core in this standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters in the Percy Jackson saga.

10: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea | Jules Verne (David Coward: editor and owner of the funniest name ever)

In this thrilling adventure tale by the father of science fiction, three men embark on an epic journey under the sea with the mysterious Captain Nemo aboard his submarine, the Nautilus. Over the course of their fantastical voyage, they encounter the lost city of Atlantis, the South Pole, and the corals of the Red Sea. Along the way, they must battle countless adversaries both human and monstrous. This triumphant work of the imagination shows the limitless possibilities of science and the dark depths of the human mind.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

I've just been really enjoying reading again as of late.

~Jasper

PS: Most of these come down to the moral of the story being community building. I think I may be yearning for community.

#answered #anonymous #books #ask game: ask me my top 10/top 5 anything

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uwmspeccoll · 1 year

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Wood Engraving Wednesday

JOHN FARLEIGH

Back to Methuselah: In the Beginning

Over the next few weeks we will be showing the wood engravings and some ot the preliminary drawings that noted English engraver John Farleigh produced for the Limited Editions Club (LEC) production of George Bernard Shaw’s play cycle Back to Methuselah, printed in an edition of 1500 copies signed by the artist in 1939. Farleigh had already worked with Shaw on the controversial 1932 publication of Shaw’s The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God (made no less controversial by Farleigh’s somewhat risqué engravings). So, for Methuselah, Farleigh would send Shaw his preliminary drawings for Shaw’s response, and as a separate pamphlet, the LEC published the drawings with Shaw’s comments and a transcription of Shaw’s handwritten notes. We show the reproductions of those drawings here along with the original wood engravings.

Back to Methuselah, first published in 1921, is a cycle of five plays that together span a 36,000-year time span. Today we are showing the engravings and preliminary drawings for the first play, In the Beginning: B.C. 4004 (In the Garden of Eden). The illustrations are

the frontispiece;

the serpent embedded in the landscape;

Eve lamenting to the serpent about he ominous nature of immortality;

Cain boastfully proud of inventing murder;

Eve in despair holding out for something better.

Click or tap on the images for greater detail. We’ll be showing original engravings and some preliminary drawings for the remaining four plays in the coming weeks.

View more posts of the work of John Farleigh.

View more Limited Edition Club posts.

View more posts with wood engravings!

#Wood Engraving Wednesday #wood engravings #wood engravers #John Farleigh #george bernard shaw #Back to Methuselah #Limited Editions Club #fine press books

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rockislandadultreads · 1 year

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Black History Month: More Science Fiction Picks

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

Lilith Iyapo has just lost her husband and son when atomic fire consumes Earth - the last stage of the planet’s final war. Hundreds of years later Lilith awakes, deep in the hold of a massive alien spacecraft piloted by the Oankali - who arrived just in time to save humanity from extinction. They have kept Lilith and other survivors asleep for centuries, as they learned whatever they could about Earth. Now it is time for Lilith to lead them back to her home world, but life among the Oankali on the newly resettled planet will be nothing like it was before.

The Oankali survive by genetically merging with primitive civilizations - whether their new hosts like it or not. For the first time since the nuclear holocaust, Earth will be inhabited. Grass will grow, animals will run, and people will learn to survive the planet’s untamed wilderness. But their children will not be human. Not exactly.

This is the first volume in the “Xenogenesis” series.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

Tracker is known far and wide for his skills as a hunter: "He has a nose," people say. Engaged to track down a mysterious boy who disappeared three years earlier, Tracker breaks his own rule of always working alone when he finds himself part of a group that comes together to search for the boy. The band is a hodgepodge, full of unusual characters with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man-animal known as Leopard.

Drawing from African history and mythology and his own rich imagination, Marlon James has written an adventure that's also an ambitious, involving read. Defying categorization and full of unforgettable characters, Black Leopard, Red Wolf explores the fundamentals of truths, the limits of power, the excesses of ambition, and our need to understand them all.

This is the first volume of “The Dark Star” trilogy.

Do You Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh

Have you ever hoped you could leave everything behind? Have you ever dreamt of a better world? Can a dream sustain a lifetime?

A century ago, an astronomer discovered an Earth-like planet orbiting a nearby star. She predicted that one day humans would travel there to build a utopia. Today, ten astronauts are leaving everything behind to find it. Four are veterans of the twentieth century’s space-race. And six are teenagers who’ve trained for this mission most of their lives.

It will take the team twenty-three years to reach Terra-Two. Twenty-three years locked in close quarters. Twenty-three years with no one to rely on but each other. Twenty-three years with no rescue possible, should something go wrong. And something always goes wrong.

The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden

In South Africa, the future looks promising. Personal robots are making life easier for the working class. The government is harnessing renewable energy to provide infrastructure for the poor. And in the bustling coastal town of Port Elizabeth, the economy is booming thanks to the genetic engineering industry which has found a welcome home there. Yes - the days to come are looking very good for South Africans. That is, if they can survive the present challenges:

A new hallucinogenic drug sweeping the country . . .

An emerging AI uprising . . .

And an ancient demigoddess hellbent on regaining her former status by preying on the blood and sweat (but mostly blood) of every human she encounters.

It's up to a young Zulu girl powerful enough to destroy her entire township, a queer teen plagued with the ability to control minds, a pop diva with serious daddy issues, and a politician with even more serious mommy issues to band together to ensure there's a future left to worry about.

#black history month #black authors #black stories #science fiction #fiction #fantasy #library books #reading recommendations #book recommendations #reading recs #book recs #TBR pile #tbr #to read #booklr #book tumblr #book blog #library blog

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potassium-pilot · 8 months

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FFXIVWrite 2023, Prompt 6: Ring

"All right, if I was a bunch of important documents, where would I be?" Dia asked absolutely no one as she stood alone in Aymeric's home study.

"Beats me", answered Ardbert in her head, the only person who could conceivably answer this question. "Only way anyone can get you to stay in place is to beat the ever-loving shite out of you, anyroad."

"You're so helpful and remind me of so many wonderful things that happened to me that I simply can't contain myself", Dia barbed sarcastically. "Now then, documents. Important government documents", she blathered on as she began her search. "That's what girlfriends are for- fetching bloody papers. Never mind the nice lunch I made for us this week. I'm the Delivery Girl of Light, after all."

"It's like we're adventuring again", Ardbert dryly remarked. "He said it was in some sort of big envelope, yes?"

"Yup. And I think..." Dia pulled one out of a pile left on the edge of his desk, "...this is it. Even has the little classified sticker."

"How important. Now then, let's get the damn thing over to him."

"Gladl--" A sight passed by her eye as she moved her head away from the desk, making her do a double-take. "Now what's this?"

Upon closer inspection, she found that a small black box sat in a spot close to his office chair. Dia picked up the box and took a closer look. "Is this a ring box?" She asked.

"It looks like one to me. Question is, is there a ring in it?"

"I don't know if I should open it. I mean really, him asking me to find some documents is not permission to snoop about his private business."

"But what if you really wanted to open it?"

"Hm. I didn't consider that. Yeah, you're right. I should open it."

Dia lifted the top of the box and revealed a ring sitting in a pillowy interior. The ring was comprised of a mythrite band topped with a rather large diamond, glittering in the light of the nearby lamp. "That's...that's a nice ring."

"Shiny, anyway. What's he doing with this?"

"I'm not sure." She tried to find context, and noticed a House Borel insignia on the band. To the right of it, there was text engraved.

May the fire in your heart warm the winter in my soul.

"Thaaaaaat's something", Dia's voice quavered.

"Dia, is this a bloody--"

"Engagement ring." She put the ring box down quickly. "Ohhhh gods, it's an engagement ring. Oh no. Oh no no no no no. Argh!"

"Well, let's calm down for a moment", Ardbert attempted to keep the both of them relaxed. "It might not even be for you."

"Who the fuck else is he going to give this to?"

"Well, I'm just saying. It might not be for any giving purpose. It might not even fit you. You'd think he'd get your ring size before he'd try that."

Dia pulled the ring from the box and attempted to slip it onto her ring finger on her right hand.

"It fits like a godsdamn glove. Ahhhhhh!"

"Okay, okay, so it fits you perfectly. We don't have to panic. Plenty of people share ring sizes. Even if it is for you, what's the worst thing that could happen if you marry him?"

"I'm not marrying him. Not now. It's the fact that I'm going to reject him that's got me all upset."

"...Dia, you cannot reject that guy."

"Oh yes I can."

"What could possibly keep you?" Ardbert demanded in disbelief. "You already live with the man, I've accidentally popped into just horrid sights from when you two are alone, you barely leave Ishgard any more."

"I'm too young!"

"You've 27 summers under you."

"I may as well have just left the crib!"

"Good gods in every heaven."

"And...I wouldn't just be his wife. I'd be his viscountess. I'd be the Lady of House Borel, and that's not who I am, Ardbert. I'm an adventurer, not a noblewoman."

"I can guarantee you that he would never ask you to be a Lady of anything."

Dia groaned. "Every time I think about marriage, I just...I get nervous as all hells. I know it's not rational, but I just-just...I can't do it yet."

She brought her focus back down to the ring on her finger and stared into it for a moment. "Though...this is a nice ring. It'd be nice to wear this around the place. I could enchant it a bit so I could teleport back to the manor as needed, provided that I find a piece of aetheryte." She laughed lightly. "I'd be able to flaunt it a bit."

As soon as she started getting lost in the ring, she snapped out of it. "No. No, I'm not marrying Aymeric for vanity." She took off the ring and placed it back in its box before picking up the envelope. "I've got documents to deliver and lunch to eat with him."

"You know what kind of couple likes to set up routines?"

"Shut up, shut up, shut up."

-------

Upon reaching the doors to the Seat of the Lord Commander, Dia knocked against the double doors.

"Who is it?" Aymeric called.

"I'm you from another dimension. Listen, I don't have much time, but you've gotta let me in!"

"Come in, Dia", he laughed. Once the doors were open, he stood up and grabbed a chair from the eastern wall. "Silly, silly girl."

"And yet, you still let me in every week. Who's really the silly one?"

Aymeric's lips pursed as he tried to keep back laughter. The chairs was placed in front of his desk and so was Dia.

"Once again, you are my hero. Thank you, Dia."

"Of course. Dia Sito Delivery Service offers 100% satisfaction guaranteed."

"Ah, what a coincidence. So do I." He smirked suggestively. Dia giggled.

"Euugghhh", Ardbert groaned.

Quiet, you.

"Ah, and you've brought lunch as well, thank the Fury."

"I did." Dia placed the basket on his desk. "I hope you're hungry. I've beef stroganoff with a pumpkin potage and Thavnairian chai for us. If you've room for dessert, I placed a peach tart in here as well."

"Scrumptious."

The two of them took their seats, Dia levitating the food to the plates and passing shares accordingly. Once the chai was poured, they took their cups and gave a small, "Cheers!" before they drank.

As the tea made its way down the hatch, her nerves seemed to settle and worry seemed to slip away. Her focus became the present. Nothing demanded either of them in this moment, aside from their hunger. Dia could just sit and watch Aymeric enjoy her food while she held a warm cup in her hands close to her heart.

Is this...what it could be like? Would things just stay the same if we...

Of course, all Aymeric saw as he looked up was Dia looking to him with a fond smile on her visage.

"Has something caught your eye?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"Is there something on my face?"

"Yeah, someone put all that gorgeous on your face. You should be more careful."

Aymeric blushed.

Oh, just tell him already!

"Actually, what I was thinking about...I saw that ring on your desk. It's beautiful."

"Ah yes. A marvel, is it not? Still in good condition after all these years. I'm certain the Pillars to Firmament Society will be utterly fascinated."

"...come again?"

Aymeric tilted his head. "I told you about this, did I not?"

"You...might have? Refresh my memory, if you would be so kind."

Aymeric placed down his fork. "A group of scholars have created an historical preservation community called the Pillars to Firmament Society and have begun documenting anything they can about this time. Seeing as I am Ishgard's first- and I pray not the last- Lord Speaker, they wished to gather what information they could about me. Alas, I'm not dead, much as I'm beginning to suspect these historians might wish me to be that they can begin pilfering through our personal belongings, so I offer them objects of some personal significance that they can record for future generations."

"Ohhhh..."

Ardbert cackled in her head.

If I could go in there and throttle you, I would!

"Forgive me. I completely forgot. So...would that have belonged to your mother, then?"

"Aye. They've been combing my house's history that they can find any crumb of information to present. I thought to present them a piece of my mother's history." Aymeric rubbed the back of his neck. "I do hope this society of theirs lasts. I was thinking of you when I heard of the formation of this group."

"Me?"

"Indeed. You're a scholar of Nym, both in the fact that you know their healing arts and that you study their history and culture deeply. I could only imagine how frustrated a scholar of Ishgard might be in the distant future if they were left with nothing of this time. I also thought about what you told me before the ecumenical council."

"The...oh, what I said about the statues."

"Yes, and your point did have merit. Through the creation of museums, we can preserve such things without erasing the horrid acts of our forefathers. I believe it to be a nice compromise, but until now, we had no one who would be qualified to act as a keeper of Ishgard's history. With the creation of an historical preservation society, we may one day be able to arrange such a museum."

Dia stared with great affection and pangs of guilt. "Well, that makes me feel bad for what I did with the ring."

"What...did you do?"

She focused her gaze to the ground beneath her. "I mayyyyyy have tried it on."

"Oh, is that all? Did it fit?"

She perked back up. "...yeah, it did. Perfectly."

"Then no harm was done. The ring was already examined. It only just returned is all"

The rest of their lunch hour passed far too quickly for either of them. Aymeric helped her clean up the mess and Dia left with a wave. He sat back down and took out an agenda, opening it to a page for the next day.

In the column for the beginning of his day tomorrow, he wrote the words, "Ask Pillars to Firmament about the size of the ring."

#ffxiv #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #aymeric/wol #aymeric de borel #f elezen wol #ardbert hylfyst #fanfiction #about time i wrote something more lighthearted #it seems like prompt 6 every year ends up being a wolmeric story from me #but how was i supposed to let a prompt called ring pass without taking the opportunity???#marriage jumpscare

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