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drconstellation · 6 months

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The Ineffable Ducks

What's with all the ducks in Good Omens that Crowley seems to be inordinately fond of? Turns out, they do have a narrative purpose, they're not just in there as a running joke about Crowley's fondness for the animals of Earth.

They appear in both S1 and S2, and get mentioned in several seemingly random places. Like, really random. There are quite a few in St James Park, where the ducks live, where the international spies also clandestinely meet, where Aziraphale and Crowley meet on several occasions, and where Crowley and Shax have a meeting, exchanging information in S2E1.

Ducks also get referred to here, when Aziraphale suggests they use humans to search and spy out the missing Antichrist, but Crowley insists it will be near impossible because suspicion slides off the boy like water off, what ever water slides off, because he has an automatic defense system.

The he remembers the ducks(!) later in the Bentley when they discuss using their respective networks of highly trained human operatives (Shadwell and the Witchfinder army), and Aziraphale asks if Crowley has a better idea than his. "Ducks!" Crowley suddenly utters.

The ducks that are always there, that you see but don't see, gathering bread crumbs, when any kind of surveillance or secret spy work is being discussed.

Nah, I thought, it couldn't be a sly ref to this famous cartoon by Larson, could it?

Aziraphale and Crowley are always afraid that someone is watching, or listening to everything they do, from both sides. I mean isn't that partly why we got the ending we did in S2, because they have had to be so covert with their communication to each over the centuries they've forgotten how to speak plainly to each other?

Heaven has definitely been watching...

And Hell certainly noticed Crowley's act of kindness in the Edinburgh cemetery, swiftly summoning him to Hell for punishment after his kind deed on behalf of Elspeth.

Then when the duo meet in again 1867 Crowley wonders if "ducks have ears" before declaring they must do - that's how they hear other ducks. So its no surprise that when Crowley asks Aziraphale for holy water that he writes the request on a piece of paper to hide it from those invisible ever-present watchers they know are never far away.

When we come to the start of S2, where Crowley is slouched in St James Park once more, reading the Tadfield Advertiser, and yelling at the Azerbaijani secret agents for feeding the ducks bread. Crumbs, it was alright to do this in the book, and S1, why is wrong now? Has Crowley suddenly become woke and caring for the ducks? Nah.

There's a lot more to it than that. I realized this is the missing Grain offering from my post about altar offerings (see The Altar of Eccles Cakes) in S2. A Grain offering represents a voluntary expression of devotion to God - or the other side you're supposed to be aligned with, in this case.

Shax is part of this scene, discussing the latest news from below, and she mentions some special intel that Hell has received, from their own secret squirrel network. Of course they would meet in St James Park to discuss this, along with all the other spies. While Shax tries to get some intel out of Crowley about what might be going on in Heaven, because she knows he has contact with a certain angel who owns a book shop, Crowley responds by refusing to show any devotion to his former side at this point, and isn't going to give any information away that could be useful. He also doesn't have any intel at this point, anyway, but he's not going to give that away either! Heaven and Hell are toxic, and no one should be going anywhere near them, in his opinion. So stop feeding them that devotional bread!

After Shax asks what they should be feeding the ducks, he eventually says "Frozen Peas. It's good for them, they like it."

The short period of "peas" since they stopped the impending Apocalypse has been enjoyable, and good for Crowley and Aziraphale, but the forced meeting with Beelzebub later that day soon jolts Crowley out of any complacency when they indicate that the "generalized understanding" Crowley thought they had with Heaven and Hell after the body swap to leave them alone, the one Aziraphale-as-Crowley negotiated, while asking for a rubber duck, no less, was looking very shaky and fragile indeed.

And one more random duck ref to discuss.

I was inspired to write this section by lalalunamoth's post calling Muriel a duckling imprinted on Crowley, and of course I did not save it, did I, and a search does not bring it back up again (found it!), so if you're reading this, or know that post, please let me know! I read it, and thought, cute, but nah, then realized that Muriel was sent on a surveillance mission to Whickber St to ascertain the truth of Aziraphale's 25 lazurii miracle. And she did act as the eyes of Heaven, writing up some reports, called Crowley "grice," then followed him around during his escapade in Heaven just like a duckling following a grumpy gander drake while he did his own surveillance measures in a Tactical Turtle neck, channeling his best imitation Sean Connery voice (have you noticed that as well, people?)

No, no, the op wasn't wrong - those big cross ducks, er grice geese, they make good guard dogs, no?

With special mention to Crowley acting as a surveillance duck just prior to this, and Mr Brown doing his own "spying out" of Aziraphale.

To finish this meta, there is one other figure who notably offered the ducks bread, in the book. This passage, which is surely relevant to S3, but didn't appear in S1, shows another character still devoted to God in a way. Lets give Death the final word:

Crowley: "Maybe it's it's all part of a great ineffable plan. All of it. You, me, him, everything. Some great big test to see if what you've built all works properly, eh? You start thinking: it can't be a great cosmic game of chess, it has to be just very complicated Solitaire. And don't bother to answer. if we could understand, we wouldn't be us. Because it's all - all - "

INEFFABLE, said the figure feeding the ducks.

"Yeah. Right. Thanks."

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leviathanspain · 5 months

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Hello!! Would you be able to write a request for finnick? Just like he’s the capitols darling, reader is the capitals hound dog. Known to be fiercely protective and exceptionally violent and brutal. During the third quarter quell, katniss’ group is afraid of reader because they haven’t seen her all match, but they run into her and she defends them brutally against something? Sorry I know it’s specific:) love your writing!

my body is a cage

finnick odair x reader

synopsis: his focus was protecting katniss, but he sleeps with an eye open as long as you’re still out there..

a/n: i made some changes, jus go with it lmao

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“she’s still out there, katniss.” finnick had made this pointedly to katniss, who wanted to go out hunting for the remaining victors with johanna. you were shrouded in mystery, out of all the victors, finnick knew the least about you.

“where would she be?” peeta looked at finnick, who sighed, shrugging, “the arena is different than the arena she won in, i assume somewhere low to the ground-“ finnick sweeped the beach, eye catching on a rustle in the bush, straight across from them, “and close.” he remembered now how you had won your games.

you had tracked all the tributes like prey, manipulating their surroundings to kill them, it had been one of the most invigorating games for the capitol ever. “she’s a bloodhound, probably sniffed us out before we realized.”

johanna watched the area that finnick had saw you, but still offered her commentary, “she’s brutal, katniss.”

katniss looked at them all, surrounded by skilled people yet found herself doubting their abilities, especially her own. none of them were sure they’d win, not against her.

“the careers are the least of our worries with her out there.” peeta noted. finnick looked at him and shrugged, “she might just kill them herself.”

they knew getting back on the island was a bad idea. katniss ducked at the sound of a mysterious voice, feeling as something flew past her head, stabbing cashmere right in the chest.

“get up.” katniss looked up to see you, standing over her. you had an array of weapons on you, and you were reaching for another one. katniss felt the panic in her throat until you launched it at enobaria, who had thrown herself at katniss. “get up!” your voice sounded more frantic and katniss did, struggling from keeping her eyes off of you.

suddenly the island began to spin.

your grip was loosening, and you groaned with slight fear as you felt the cold water thundering against your feet. katniss reached out for you, “grab my hand!” she screamed, but the water trashing drowned her out.

you could see her hand amidst all the water and grabbed it tightly, closing your eyes as the island slowed to a stop.

you sat on the beach, alone as the others argued over you. katniss had defended you, deciding she wanted you as an ally. but finnick and johanna deemed it too risky, “she could kill us all in our sleep, then what?” johanna had made that point as one of your methods, and you inhaled sharply.

finnick glanced at you, noticing the solemn expression on your face. he had known that expression far too many times, and it made him change his mind.

“johanna.” finnick called her name and sighed, “she saved her life. that’s not something we can just ignore, we don’t even know her.”

there was silence between them all, katniss had looked to johanna, watching as she fought internally before giving in. “i’ll go get her, maybe threaten a little.” she stood up, taking her axe with her.

finnick looked to katniss as johanna left, “i’ll keep an eye on her. for you.” he knew that once katniss settled on allies, she settled. her choices weren’t always the best, but somehow it would work itself out.

“why did you save her?” finnick had taken the first watch with you. johanna had convinced him, as just having you as watch would be ‘asking for it’.

you shrugged, “why not.” there hadn’t been much decision making on the island. it was either her or cashmere, and you didn’t see much of a choice.

finnick looked at you, “i don’t believe that.” his eyes slid themselves back to stare at the beach and you scoffed, “and why is that?”

finnick shrugged, “no one would just randomly save someone without an ulterior motive.” he said it like a fact and you smirked, “do you have one?”

“have one what?” he looked confused, obvious by the furrow in his brow.

“do you have an ulterior motive?” you repeated the full length question and watched as finnick practically whipped his head around.

“no.” he stated plainly, and you rolled your eyes, “i saw you saved katniss, similiar to how i did. you and johanna can’t just be doing this,” you glanced back to katniss and peeta sleeping, “for nothing. whatever it is, finnick, is an ulterior motive.” finnick pursed his lips, almost as if he couldn’t believe it.

“i’ll let you have yours if you let me have mine.” you finished, catching his gaze. finnick knew there were layers to you. you were different than most victors, your brutality is what made you like the rest of them, the willingness to kill. but you were turning out to be way more than what meets the eye. whatever your motive was, finnick sensed it wasn’t malice.

finnick settled to watch the sun rise upon your face, ending the conversation with a nod.

finnick watched as you sat by the beach. it had been post jabberjays, you, him and katniss had all been trapped with the birds, fluttering and screaming your names. now it seemed, like you had decided to decompress by the beach, just as he was going to.

he piled up next to you, close but far enough to give you a good amount of space.

it was then that finnick realized you had been crying, tears evident on your cheeks. he had heard katniss yell her sister’s name, and he had heard annie. you had just screamed in response, as if you were trying to drown out the birds with your own voice.

“i’m sorry.” you apologized to finnick, wiping your eyes as he settled down. you sniffled, watching as the waves moved.

“don’t apologize, there’s no need.” finnick spoke, “who did you hear?”

there was silence for a moment, until you spoke, “my best friend.” your mind shuddered back the sound of his screams and you laughed, painfully. “he’s been dead for years. i killed him.” you admitted, “he died because of a mistake i had made during the games.”

your mind flashed back to the games, where you had accidentally launched a knife to his chest, thinking it had been another tribute.

“he had spent all of his games searching for me. and once he found me, i had killed him.” it was cruel for him to be your district partner, for only one would survive, but you “never thought it would be me.” you glanced at finnick, who had been listening.

“it was supposed to be him.” you cried, “i killed everyone else to get to him, and when it was down to four, was when he came to get me.” you shook your head, “there is nothing in this world that i loved more than him, finnick. now that he’s gone, there’s nothing left for me.”

finnick shook his head, “stop. you know that’s not true.” he tried to comfort you, your words mirroring his own thoughts.

“that’s my motive, finnick.” you revealed, “my body is a cage, and i can’t stand to live in it much longer.”

johanna had woken up abruptly. she clutched onto her weapon, eyes glancing around before she settled on the two figures on the beach. she squinted and made out finnick’s hair, and you. the only two missing from the group. you had your head leaned on finnick’s shoulder, as the two of you watched the rising sun.

#finnick odair x reader #finnick odair angst #finnick odair smut #finnick odair fluff #finnick odair x you #finnick odair x female!reader #thg #thg fanfiction #thg imagines #thg finnick odair #finnick odair oneshots #finnick x reader #finnick x you #finnick imagine #hunger games finnick #finnick odair

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certifiedlovergirlsstuff · 1 year

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somewhere in the haze got a sense ive been betrayed

pairing: ethan landry x reader

WC: 1.3K

warnings: blood mentions, stabbing, this is a scream fic its a little violent and graphic. SPOILERS LIKE ACTUAL CHARACTER SPOILERS DONT READ UNTIL YOUVE SEEN THE MOVIE

summary: people aren’t who they always say

A/N: i freaking loved scream6!!!!! literally wrote this the day after i watched the movie. gonna try and pop out a mix of angst and fluff for ethan cause i love my nerdy boyfriend. lowercase on purpose, sorry if that bothers you. if the chase scene sucks... mind your business, just skim the words.

masterlist

“hello?”

“hello… y/n. i’ve missed the sound of your voice.”

it was like you heard the stereotypical horror movie music play in your mind. your blood went cold and your body seized up from the bucket of ice water that just splashed over your whole body at the voice of the horrific ghost face. the way he spoke your name made you feel even sicker.

“what is it now? gonna sweet talk me for a second before you start saying vile words and then pop out from a corner ready to stab me?” you took slow steps through the living room, trying to scope out where the killer could be lurking.

he just laughed, “well you do know how this works. after all, you already went through round one in woodsboro, somehow surviving multiple stab wounds to your stomach. impressive.”

the deep drawl of his voice only caused nausea to roll over you in waves. with quiet steps as you listened to the narcissist as they just talked and talked, you hurried to the kitchen and grabbed the biggest knife from the wooded block.

“honestly why don’t we just do this dance, huh? i was in the middle of a very good book and i would like to get to the part where the love interest resolved their differences and had hot sex. plus i’ve done this before and i’ve been working out.” you just started to blurt things out, your anxiety kicking into high gear.

ghost face didn’t say anything back and it only caused your fear to grow. so you just hung up and speed-dialed sam knowing she always answers her calls.

“come on, sam. please please plea-“

“y/n? what’s-“

“he’s in the apartment. please get here fast… i love you guys.” you hung up placing your phone in your back pocket. you hoped to make it alive again, but as mindy said, you're all expendable in sequels.

the noise of something crashing to the ground made you flinch high in the air, a small gasp slipping from your lips. the grip on the knife readjusted to get a firmer hold as you peeked around a corner, seeing nothing suspicious. so you started to make your way towards the front door, hoping you could escape the killer before he gets you.

as just as you passed quinn’s room you stepped on a creaky spot. you froze for a second before running to the door, fumbling with the five locks. and just as you were on the last two, sweat causing the metal to be slippery, your roommate's door burst open and ghost face, dressed in his black cloak and the dirty mask came dashing at you with the classic knife held high.

you screamed and ducked away needing to circle back to the door. you were able to get a quick swipe to their bicep before running to sam’s room and closing the door closed. you took a breath until loud banging slammed against the wooden frame, almost bending the door in half from its weight.

with ghost face distracted on the door, you ran through the shared bathroom, shutting and locking each door as you entered quinn’s room. you pushed her dresser against the bathroom for extra hold. when it was in place you ran, knife still in hand, and went back to get the last locks on the door free and ready for your escape.

just as you pulled the door open, ready to dash down the steps, you were pulled back with arms around your waist and pulled into a solid chest. you screamed and kicked, the knife falling to the floor. ghost face threw you to the ground, back hitting the living room chairs. you turned to your stomach to try and go for a push-up into a run, hands tight on your ankles pulled you back. your hands scrambled for purchase on something solid.

then suddenly the most blinding white hot pain shot through your right thigh pulling a high-strung scream from your vocals. then he gave the knife a twist making the pain shoot to your spine, you felt frozen. he pulled the dripping knife out and his hands grabbed your waist, pulling you further down before flipping you over and straddling your waist making you immobile.

you tried to push his arms away, but his strength was must higher than yours as he plunged the knife into your stomach then pulled out then back in. in and out, in and out. multiple more times that you knew you wouldn’t survive this one.

you tried using your last bit of strength to push his looming face away. with a solid hold, you ripped the stupid mask off the killer's face and the sight before you taking the last bit of air from your lungs.

“e-ethan?” you rasped out, blood dripping from your mouth.

your loving, sweet, handsome boyfriend of five months now stared down at you with a sickening twisted grin on his lips, teeth poking out like fangs. his thick head of luscious curls that you would run your fingers through when making out or just laying with each other were matted down with sweat, and the urge to touch them came back on instinct.

limply you lifted your left arm from the floor and cupped his cheek, you saw the look in his hungry eyes switch for a second before snapping back into place. “e-ethan… wh-why? i- i thought you lo-loved me.” with a gentle swipe of your thumb over his skin, his eyes involuntarily slipped closed at the comforting gesture.

“i do love you, sweetheart. but i have to do this.” a gloved hand held the one on his face, you were scared and confused by everything.

“i- i don’t-“ “i need to complete my brother's movie.”

you decided if you could keep ethan talking maybe the others will show up soon and save you, “br- brother? you- you said you were an- an only child.”

“sorry sweetheart, but i lied. had to get close to you and your friends somehow, and having a fake identity helps.” he whispered, “landry isn’t even my real last name.”

your anger was spilling over the brim. ethan used you to get closer to your friends, you were just a pawn in this stupid fantasy of his. and it hurt because you thought he was the one, the goodness that you needed in your life.

with both hands you held his cheeks then slid them slowly up into his sweaty curls, nails dragging over his scalp pulling a groan from his throat and usually, you loved the noise but now all you saw was red. so with a good fist full, you pulled his hair hard and then slammed your head together.

it caused ethan to fall back, dropping his knife. with the last of your strength, you tried to slide away from him, tried to grab your phone and call sam or chad, anyone at this point. but your luck had run out and ethan gained back his upper hand.

he grabbed a chunk of your hair, head pulled back with your eyes pointed at the ceiling. ethan leaned over your left shoulder and whispered in your ear, “i did love you. but family is family, gotta stick by them. so, any last words, y/n?”

with tears streaming down your face, and blood closing off your throat, you sniffle out your last words, “i loved you too,” you said with every bit of honesty, “but you're gonna get killed like the pussy you truly are.” you seethed with a blinding anger.

and the last thing you heard was the roar of ethan’s cry as you felt the cold metal slice your throat open and your head slumping hard on the wood flooring. you died at the hands of the first boy you truly loved in this twisted world.

love does kill you in the end.

...

#ethan landry imagine #ethan landry #ethan landry fic #ethan landry angst #ethan landry x reader #scream 6 #scream 6 imagine #scream 6 x reader #scream vi #ethan landry oneshot #ethan landry blurb #jack champion #jack champion scream 6

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onebatch2batch · 8 months

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i was just admiring my gorgeous header made by @darlingshane when the little gremlin in my brain told me to write about it so here we are

set during the bridge scene after “so you met madani huh?”

[ao3 link]

The bite of the wind is a physical thing on the exposed skin of her face. Karen stands with her eyes lowered, reeling from his frustration, his desperation. He’d yelled at her. Or not at her but—towards her. Frantic. Please, he says, and then steps closer. For a second she thinks he’ll only stare into her eyes in that ice pick way of his, chipping away the armor she’s built up around herself. Trying to get her to see reason, to do as he asks. To beg her to stay away from him, safe. He’s always been good at that, the asking. She’s never been good at the listening.

But then he’s closer still by the time her chin lowers and she stops moving, stops breathing because the air has shifted between them somehow and he’s going to kiss her. She doesn’t exactly know where the thought comes from, but she thinks it and knows it’s true.

Frank doesn’t reach out physically. His hands stay by his sides or maybe in his pockets, and he inches into her space—not quite touching—as if he’s convincing himself not to turn and bolt in the opposite direction. Karen doesn’t dare move, doesn’t dare look up at him, torn between a very physical ache to have him closer and a fear that if she so much as blinks, this moment will go careening over the rails and into the dark waters of the bay, swept away by the current.

His lips find her cheek and as cold as she is, the warmth of his mouth feels like a brand on her skin.

Yours, she thinks to herself, a quiet revelation.

He lingers for half a breath, and then draws back just as fast. She has the sudden urge to chase after his lips and caress them with her own; she would kiss him fully and she would wrap herself up in the wings of his jacket and let herself be enveloped by his warmth. She would press close until their bodies are trading atoms of heat. She would lick her way into his mouth and swallow down any sounds he might make. All of this flies through her mind and her cheek is burning from one gentle kiss, and before she can make her voice work to ask him—anything, to stay just another minute, to go get a coffee, to come home with her and sit on the couch and trade sorrows somewhere were they can remove these layers and be comfortable—he’s looking around for anyone who might be watching, and then he ducks past her and is gone. Her ghost dressed in black, disappearing into the night. The warmth of his kiss is gone too fast, almost as soon as it began.

She wonders if he looks back to watch her, immobile by the water. Something tells her he doesn’t, and she doesn’t turn to check. She stands there until her toes are numb in her boots and tries to commit the scratch of his stubble on her skin to memory.

Someone rides by on a bicycle, music playing from their phone, and it jolts her out of the nebula she’d been lost in. Karen turns and goes home and dreams of endings and afters, and the question of where one stops and one begins. And alone in her quiet apartment, she lets herself hope that it may just begin with a too quick, too chaste kiss by the water.

#kastle #kastle ff #kastle ficlet #my writing #darlingshane #frank castle #the punisher #karen page

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clumsiestgiantess · 5 months

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Chapter 16 of the Other-world Universe. Girls kissing? More likely than you think. Girls having a hard time moving on in life after traumatic events? Even more likely then that.

All chapters linked here

(A little bit of spicy stuff in this one; just some more passionate kissing now that they’re together and all)

[The smallest sensations]

Unfortunately, I didn't get much sleep even with Erica off my shoulder. I just couldn't. Every time I got close to dozing off, I'd get a pang of fear that somehow she had been taken again. Then I'd get up and double check the cliffside. Erica was always there, but I still checked every time. Sleep did get the better of me eventually, and I was out like a light. However, the moment the sun shone over the horizon, I was woken by the rapidly brightening sky. All in all, I probably got two or three hours of sleep if I combined all the little naps I managed to snatch between anxious surveillance.

As the new day dawned, I continued my watch over the ruins. There wasn't a soul in sight. I wasn’t sure wether to be sad or relieved about that. Once my morning scouting duties were complete, I made myself breakfast with the new box. A plate of freshly made waffles and still sizzling bacon appeared at my very thought of them. Wow, I really could’ve had this the whole time. A few minutes later, Erica awoke, no doubt aroused by the wafting smell of my conjured breakfast.

Sleepily, she wandered over to the cliffside next to me. "Can I have some of that? It smells delicious." I nodded, using one box to create the food and another to shrink it. Balancing the tiny plate on my fingertips, I handed it off to Erica. "Mmm. No offense, Alexis, but I think the box makes better food than you do." I chuckled and finished off my first decent meal in the other-world. "I would take that into offence, but I have to agree with you." As she smiled up at me, I couldn't help but wonder what was running through her head. Surely anyone from her world would call her insane for even so much as befriending me, and yet, she'd had the courage to try the first kiss. I was still baffled by the fact that she would rather live out in the ruins with me than in the secret little town I'd discovered.

After breakfast, we dug through the remains of the mansion. Erica insisted there wasn't anything left worth keeping, but I proved her wrong after digging up her old dresser. Most of her clothes had been mangled in the collapsed walk-in closet. However, there were a few older pieces still laying clean in the drawers. "Finally! I can wear my own clothes!" Erica cried as she yanked open the first drawer. "Ok, I take back what I said. Maybe there are some useful things in there." She ducked behind one of the larger portions of the house that was still standing, and returned wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a graphic tee with a logo I didn't recognize. It was probably some random brand from the other-world. "Damn, I haven't worn this in forever," Erica noted, looking herself over. "Probably because I stashed it in there," she gestured to the dresser.

We spent hours sorting through the leftover junk in the mansion. Now, Erica was convinced we'd find more useful items somewhere in the wreckage. Of course, I helped her search through everything. Most of the ruins were too big for Erica to lift herself, but with my help, she managed to get to every last inch of space.

"Hey! I found something else that isn't completely destroyed!" she called, "Come get this piece of wall off it, will you?" I happily obliged, easily pushing the three inch long piece of debris out of the way. "Oh, it's.. that." Erica's voice fell as she recognized what she'd found. The infinite money box sat in the midst of the ruins almost mockingly — a relic of the time before I recognized the awful backlash behind what I was doing. We both glanced at each other simultaneously, briefly making eye contact before quickly turning away. "I.. should get rid of it," I stated nervously, reaching for the small object. Erica watched in silence as I picked it up and pocketed it.

"You seemed so horrible back then," Erica said quietly, unmoving from the spot where she stood. "I used to think you were some invisible being from another dimension, playing god with creatures beneath yourself, using me like a character in a game to interact with my world. Seems silly, huh?" a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "I really believed I'd never have control over my own body again."

Erica shuddered, then turned to me. Her stony expression softened when she saw how distraught I looked. Silently, she motioned for me to come closer. I timidly knelt in front of her, resting my chin on the lawn where Erica stood. "You were not the first person to make me feel so helpless like that. However," she added, stepping closer to me, "you were the first to apologize for it."

I stilled as Erica walked the final few inches between us. She closed her eyes and leaned into me slightly; her forehead came to rest on my brow. "Thank you," she whispered, "for letting me rely on you. Stay with me, please. Y- You probably want to go home by now, but I’m not ready for you to leave yet." My throat began to burn with oncoming tears, but I swallowed the feeling back. Pulling away from her embrace the slightest bit, I delicately kissed her cheek. Being so big, my lips covered half her face. It was so enthralling yet so nerve-wracking at the same time.

"I wouldn't trade your company for the world, Erica,” I promised her, “I’m not going anywhere." Her eyes fluttered open as she stepped back in shock, hand raising to touch the place where my lips brushed her skin. She gave me a thankful smile and pulled a few of my fingers into a small hug. I folded the rest around her, trying to reciprocate it the best I could.

After a brief moment, Erica let go of me and moved away slightly to wipe her misty eyes on the back of her hand. Once she’d composed herself, she nodded at the pile of various items we’d pulled from the ruined mansion. “I’ll finish sorting this out, but once I’m done I’d like to practice balancing myself on your shoulder.” Before I could utter one syllable towards talking her out of it, Erica held a hand up to silence me. “Don’t ruin the mood,” she said with an air of authority, “Last night you promised me I could try it again. How am I going to get better if I don’t practice?”

I sighed; with Erica staying with me, her demeanor became fearless. A little too fearless for her own good. Now that I’d vowed to protect her, she’d been a lot less concerned with protecting herself — leaving that job for me. On the one hand, it was gratifying to see Erica so unbothered for a change. She needed time to de-stress and do whatever she wanted after so long being unable to. On the other hand, it was tiring and slightly stressful for me to take care of both of us. Then again, I was used to taking care of her.

In the mess that was once the mansion, we'd managed to find a few more outfits Erica had stashed away, as well as various other household items, though most were useless without electricity. Erica's phone had long since been taken from her, but, much to her annoyance, her phone charger was found completely intact. She was far too distracted by the promise of a ride on my shoulder to bother with many of her newfound items, however. Soon, she stood close to the cliff's edge, waiting expectantly for me to give her my hand. I was hesitant, but eventually I let it rest on the lawn so Erica could climb on. "Hold on tighter this time, alright?" I asked as I lifted her up to my shoulder, "I don't want you to fall over backwards like you did yesterday." "I know, I will," Erica responded absentmindedly as she settled into a good position.

I started by walking slowly over the empty suburbs, then swapped into a more normal gait after Erica practically begged me to go faster. It took a day or two of walking aimlessly through the other-world with Erica before she could properly balance herself without a single mistake. Unfortunately, her record didn’t remain spotless for very long.

On our last day of training, Erica fell forwards by leaning too far out after I'd pointed to something in the distance. Thankfully I'd managed to save her from falling very far. However, I reflexively pinned her to my chest in order to catch her. I held her there for a heartstopping moment, my brain still processing the fact that she hadn't actually fallen very far, until I felt Erica squirm under my grasp. Carefully, I released my grip and let her fall into my open palm. Her face was flushed as she sat stunned for a moment. "Yeah, that's what happens when you don't pay attention to what you're doing," I commented, thinking her nearly deadly mistake must have been the reason she'd froze.

Slowly, Erica lifted a hand and placed it back onto my chest, eyes widening with amazement. Suddenly, I doubted she'd even cared that she'd fallen. "Your heart's beating really fast. I can feel it; it.. sounds.. nice," she added awkwardly, drawing back slightly in my hand. Clearing her throat, she waved a hand nonchalantly and gestured to the cliff where we'd set our camp. "I'm ready to go back now. I- I think that's enough practice for today." I gave her a curious look, but nodded in agreement and headed towards camp.

The strange tension dissipated shortly after we returned to the ruined mansion. Erica and I started planning a return trip to the house with the generator so we could use the small bit of power to get laundry done. I’d have to leave for a while to wash my own clothes, or at least change into something different, but Erica let me go, understanding — at least somewhat — that some things I just couldn’t do in her world.

After dinner, Erica sat near the cliffside, watching me do my nightly check for the scientists or survivors. The moment I sat back down, she shifted closer to me. Noticing how she drew herself closer, I turned so my head rested on the cliffside. Erica glanced at me. Recognizing my silent invitation, she stood up, walked over, and leaned against my cheek, happily stretching herself out over its soft surface. We hadn’t bothered making a fire that night. It was warmer than usual, and we didn’t really need the light, so I was the only heat source available. I closed my eyes on the darkness, focusing on the small yet wonderfully overwhelming feeling of Erica’s form pressed lightly against mine. She gasped, and my eyes flew open, heart racing. My concern was thankfully cut short as I watched Erica point at the lawn behind me.

The grass was dotted with tiny lights that lazily drifted between one place to another. You could never tell exactly where they went, though; their presence could only be noticed in second-long bursts of yellow light. For someone as big as myself, they would be impossible to catch. I instinctively reached out anyway, shifting on the rocky slope. All the lights disappeared the moment I moved, my hand quickly diminishing the amount of space they had to roam. It took a minute after I brought my hand back for them to reappear. I sighed, “They’re always so.. enchanting, aren’t they? When I was younger, I would sneak outside past my bedtime just to catch them. I’d always release them the next day, of course, but that night I’d have a little sparkling jar beside my bed. I would stare at it for hours.”

Erica sat up and scrutinized me curiously for a moment. A small smile drifted onto her lips as she stepped out into the field. I watched in lovestruck awe as she paced around in the dark, clasping her hands over the minuscule floating lights in the air. Stepping back over to me, Erica offered me her cupped hands.

“I got you something.” “What is it?” I asked, playing dumb. Her smile grew wider, “Hold out your hand and find out.” Smirking, I slid my hand beneath her arms, gently brushing them with the very tips of my fingers. A small gasp echoed in the night, and I could feel Erica flinch at my touch before leaning into it. She gently opened her hands, releasing two or three little fireflies to float around my palm for a moment before darting off into the sky. I watched them go without sorrow, my gaze drifting back to the small woman in front of me, who, instead of watching the lights, had been watching me.

With a gentle touch, I eased her open hands into the palm of my own, nudging them between my fingers. “Thank you,” I whispered gently, guiding her closer. “I have something for you, too.” Easing my head down beside Erica, I pressed my lips against her cheek, breathing in the distinct unmistakable scent of her. She stood frozen for a moment, pulse pounding in her neck — thrumming against my lips like life. Moments later, it softened, and she turned to me.

Gently, Erica pressed her lips to the bottom of mine, but after what seemed like the briefest moment in existence, she pulled away. “I- I don’t want to sound greedy, but can I have a bit more? It’s so.. big. But I can tell you’re holding back.” “I don’t want to hurt you…” I mumbled. Erica shook her head slightly, reaching for me. “You won’t.”

I exhaled slightly, my breath ruffling her hair. “It’ll cost you extra.” Erica rolled her eyes, but they widened in an instant when I caught her chin on the side of my finger, tilting it up ever so slightly. We locked eyes briefly, and I was shocked by the hope I saw in them. She was so small, yet she wanted more of me. I thought anything stronger would scare her off, but looking at her — she wanted it so badly. Leaning down, my lips drifted over hers, leaving a slight gap between them that was immediately filled with the smallest sensations.

Erica groaned slightly as my tongue brushed against her lips. She stepped closer, her body pressed against mine for the second time that night. I just barely let my tongue slide into her mouth, scared that anything more would be too much for her. Erica didn’t seem to mind; in fact, she opened it wider and pulled me close. I could feel her tiny tongue slide over mine as we locked strangely together. Erica exhaled as I leaned in and filled her mouth easily.

At last, I fell away from the cliff’s edge to take a proper breath, and Erica stumbled back, nearly falling over before quickly righting herself. Her whole face was wet with saliva. “That was..” she paused with a breathy laugh, wiping some of it away. “That was a really good gift. Mine kinda sucks in comparison.” I shook my head, gently reaching out to caress her arm. With a bit of my shirt, I carefully cleaned off her face. That look of hopeful longing came over her again once I let her go. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with an idea.

Quickly dragging over her sleeping bag, Erica caught my receding fingers and held one to her chest, sliding into bed with it tucked close. I inhaled softly at the feeling. I could feel her shifting around beneath the covers, twining my finger between her arms and legs as her head came to rest on the top of it. Snuggling the digit closely, Erica glanced up at me, searching for my reaction. “I- I know it’s not normal, but I uhh.. don’t think anything between us will be. Not that that’s a bad thing!” she added quickly. “You can have your hand back if you want-” I shook my head quickly, “Keep it. At least until you fall asleep.”

Carefully keeping my hand steady, I curled up beside the edge of the cliff, sliding her little sleeping bag over until it was nearly pressed against me. “I don’t care what we have, as long as we have it together,” I told her quietly. “I’m so glad you confessed, though I know it was probably hard for you. I don’t think I ever would’ve said anything if it weren’t for that.” “Why? Were you scared of me?” I laughed slightly and she frowned. “Don’t take that the wrong way, but it was the opposite; I was worried you would be afraid of me. I didn’t want to end up forcing you into something you weren’t ready for or didn’t want… again. I do love you, Erica. I never want you to feel helpless against me. Not ever.” My voice steadily grew out of a whisper, rising with meaning. “If you ever feel like that, tell me, ok? I’ll stop whatever I’m doing. I promise.”

Erica jumped out of bed so suddenly she startled me. I barely had time to react before she ran up to me, grabbing fistfuls of my shirt and pulling herself close — her face buried in its fabric. “Thank you,” she said so softly I could barely hear her, “God, it’s nice to have someone I can trust again.” Cautiously and gently, I hoisted her up into my hand, pressing the backs of her legs ever so slightly to get her to sit down.

Turning over, I settled in with her tucked to my chest. I felt Erica sigh and stretch, readjusting herself so she was curled up in my cupped fingers. At once she seemed so much smaller and fragile. No, not fragile, delicate maybe? With my fingers pressed warmly around her, I could feel her chest slowly pulsing with miniscule rhythms — the rise and fall of her lungs and breath, the steady rhythmic beat of her heart thrumming so close to mine. I could even feel the tiny twitches of her moving just slightly, getting comfortable in my soft grasp.

There were so many nights where I dreamed of this. So many nights I spent wondering what it would be like if she loved me as deeply as I loved her. With her resting comfortably against me, I finally got to feel what that was like. And I didn’t doubt for a second that she was playing along just to keep me happy. She wanted to be as close to me as I wanted to be close to her. My heart stung, but not from longing. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it filled me up warmly until I was grinning from ear to ear.

After a moment, Erica stifled a laugh. “You look so happy for once,” she told me, straightening out until she was laying down. “I am happy. Are you?” Erica nodded enthusiastically, “Never been happier. You think we can make things work this time? I’m feeling really good about all this, which.. isn’t actually normal for me.” A soft throb eased away the stinging of my heart, replacing it with something tender. I lifted her up to kiss her, but she stopped me, holding my face at an arm’s distance. “Just.. stay like this,” Erica told me, resting her body on my lips. She whispered something even softer that I couldn’t hear, eyelids sinking heavily.

I let her sit like that a long time, even after she’d fallen asleep. Eventually, I guided her unconscious body back into my palm, thumb pressed gently in the space where my lips used to be. Erica had been trusting me with her little unconscious self more and more lately — that alone was intimacy in itself. I tucked her back in, making sure I moved her back away from the cliff’s edge before finally getting to bed myself.

Honestly, I don’t think I’d been happier in my life than I was over those few days after we learned we loved one another. Apparently, Erica felt the same way I did. The moment I got up, even before I could say or do a single thing but lean over the cliffside, she leapt up and hugged one of my fingers snugly to herself. “Oh! Erica! Good morning.” “Good morning, Alexis. I.. missed you last night.” Oh. It’s one of those again.

While we hung around the cliff as she recuperated from her time in the city, Erica had gotten into the habit of saying that phrase to me as her way of telling me she’d had one of those awful nightmare-memories. It had started with her accidentally saying that phrase to me the first time. After a bit of confusion, she’d had to explain her whole dream to me to get me to understand. Not wanting to go through that again, she stuck to simply telling me that, and I’d understand.

“Are you alright now?” I asked, gently sliding a few more fingers around her in a strange-looking hug. “Yeah… It’s.. something that won’t happen to me anymore.” I lowered myself down until my chin rested on the ground beside her. Erica stepped back just slightly to make room. “I’m here, Erica. And they’re long dead. So will everyone who tries to hurt you like that. I won’t let them.” She smiled, eyes quickly glazing over with tears. Her expression crumbled into an awful grimace as I brought my hand behind her and gently pulled her into it. I watched with deep concern as she tried to tell me something, but couldn’t make it past the tears choking her throat.

With her head buried in the pad of my pointer finger, she let out a shaking breath. “I just want it to be over,” Erica whimpered, “It’s been over a month of nothing but you treating me kindly, but I- The nightmares haven’t stopped! They- They’re further in between now, but never gone. Just when I think I’ve gotten rid of them, bam! One hits me just as I’m starting to feel better for once.” I sat and listened to her, stretching my thumb up to rub delicately over her back as she spoke. Honestly, I wasn’t sure her nightmares would ever have a definite end — certainly not anytime soon. Though I’d been trying my hardest to ensure she felt safe again, the events were still horribly recent. It had been a month or so since I’d found her. That was all.

“That must be so frightening,” I mused, coaxing her to take her face out of my skin before I could accidentally hurt her. “I- It is.” “I’m sorry those memories keep coming back. I don’t really know how to stop you from having them, but I do know how to keep you from making more of them.” Erica took a few deep breaths, then smiled softly up at me. “For that, I can never thank you enough.”

The rest of that day was spent drawing up plans on what to do next. I didn’t have to worry about food with the new box, so Erica eagerly began brainstorming ways we could hide away and live together. Despite wanting to be with her in every single one of her little fantasies, I began to get melancholy over the whole thing. Was I permanently going to stay in the other-world? I don’t want to, though. I just want to stay with Erica. Her world is becoming too messed up with the weird scientists. What about the weird scientists?! What can I do about them? How do I keep them from destroying everything?

All these questions refused to leave my head even long after the conversation on what to do ended. By that evening, my thoughts were so jumbled that I found myself longing for my own world. There were still plenty of things for me to worry about there, too. However, they were normal, non-apocalyptic and life-altering things. One crucial part of me would still be missing, though — a tiny part who would grow into an utter mess if I left her behind. There she was, laying in her sleeping bag with my finger tucked beside her.

Desperately, I wanted to fall asleep like that. No, desperately I wanted to fall asleep like that. I wanted to be beside her, not just a single finger. But it couldn’t happen, so after a moment, I cautiously slid my hand away from her until I was freed from her grasp. A wave of heartache stung my chest as I watched Erica frown subconsciously — her arms grasping the empty covers beside her. For a while, everything was blissfully simple and perfect, but I knew it wouldn’t last. I’d have to return to my own world eventually. I’ve already been gone for over a month.

#omg bonding time with the girls?#No way!#g/t #giant tiny #other-world universe

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alternate-kiza · 11 months

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Kid: I just found out something called Anatodaephobia.

Luffy: What’s that?

Kid: It’s a fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you.

Law: What!?

#one piece #eustass kid #monkey d. luffy #trafalgar d water law #trafalgar law #trafalgardwaterlaw #sap trio #incorrect one piece quotes

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voidlesslove · 1 year

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To Old Friends & New Ones

Kazuha x Gn!Reader

After the Vision Hunt Decree you felt lost. You've since been taken under the wing of Kaedehara Kazuha. The past haunts you both but that won't stop you from fulfilling your potential.

Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Combat, Mentions of death, Lots of Thunder and Lightning.

A/N: This is my first time writing for someone else! I wrote this for @thcma, my giftee of the Secret Santa event. Can be read as either platonic or romantic

Kazuha swerved to his right, avoiding the barrage of incoming arrows. He seemed to move without thought; but you knew it really boiled down to practice. He always had his hands in motion as he danced with his blade, and you couldn’t think of a better teacher for this than him. The wind blew by your face, and Kazuha’s silver hair whipped against your cheeks and neck; alarmingly close, but only for a minute. His voice sounded like wind chimes, and his movements were graceful and elegant. You wanted so badly to be just like him one day; to become a legend in your own right, rather than relying on what someone else could do for you. It was a dream you didn’t dare voice, even when alone with yourself, because that would mean admitting the leagues between your abilities.

You’ve never felt more alive in your life— the glistening purple city in the distance made you grin to your feet. You’ve been to strange places, yes, but you still couldn’t help being in awe. Your body translated the feeling into strength coursing through your muscles, and every strike of your sword felt like a blow of thunder. You were invincible; you felt—even when facing your worst fears, the ones you forced yourself to confront. They weren’t enough to keep you from being completely free.

“You’re improving!” Kazuha declared, giving you a quick nod before returning to the front lines.

“Thank you! I’m getting really good,” you said. Your words were slurred, and you struggled to speak clearly, which only made your speech seem even longer. Your breath felt like hot tar. Your muscles burned with exhaustion, and you could hear the raspiness of your breath in the back of your throat. But if that wasn’t enough, there was still something about the fight. This was exhilarating—the adrenaline pumping through your veins kept you going, pushing away thoughts of all the ways you’ll fail and all the things you can’t do right.

There were still things you wished you could control and could do better; and Kazuha could bring those to light. Every time, he landed a direct hit into your opponent’s body, sending them flying until they collapsed on the ground, unconscious. Magnificent. The way the air filled with smoke was almost magical, making the simulation more realistic. It almost looked like actual smoke billowing out from beneath their feet, and you laughed, imagining your friend using Anemo to fly through the smoke. It’d probably end up looking silly, but it sure would be funny.

The image of Kazuha flying through the smoke brought a smile to your lips. You watched him as he dodged the next volley of arrows. Each time he ducked, you were reminded of how different he appeared to be in person. You heard tales of a brave rōnin who stood up to the Raiden Shogun and deflected the Musou no Hitachi. An act that shouldn’t be possible for mortals.

The stories told of the Rōnin using dual visions to do this. They called upon the powers of wind and lightning to parry the attack. It was said they fought with the ferocity of a wild animal, but lacked the finesse. There wasn’t any precision to their strikes either, leaving openings for attacks to slip through.

You weren’t part of Inazuma, but tales of the rebellion lit a fire in you, one you couldn’t put out. They were brave and fought for their future in the face of something impossible. There were a lot of things that seemed impossible to you, obstacles that couldn’t be surmounted. And yet somehow a scraggly militia won. It proved that something, somewhere, could not only live but thrive, and you wanted that. You wanted to be able to face the impossible.

You wanted to have the confidence to stand tall as Kazuha did, even when the world shook underfoot.

It was moments like these, when you saw how different the people around you were, and how much potential they possessed, that inspired you to continue moving forward.

After a couple of minutes passed and no other enemies came your way, Kazuha spoke again. “We should stop here for a moment.”

His tone suggested you had done well, and he was pleased. He took a break from sparring and sat beside you in the grass, leaning on his elbow and stretching his legs over the grass. His posture relaxed, his face softened with contentment.

You took off your helmet and leaned on it, gazing at him curiously. He hadn’t moved since the first time he spoke; you wondered if he was even conscious anymore. If he was, he must not feel pain anymore. “What are you doing?” you asked.

“I’m listening to the wind.”

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “This breeze feels… familiar. It makes me want to rest.”

You tilted your head, intrigued. It couldn’t be true wind doesn't make you want to do anything, not even take a nap. But Kazuha seemed relaxed enough to make you wonder. There was a suitably sunny spot in the grass. You studied Kazuha's position and tried to do the same. Hopefully the wind would be generous with it's mythical properties. He opened his eyes and smiled at you as he noticed your expression.

“You don’t have to pretend to feel it too, y'know. You can just enjoy the scenery.” He's not wrong; this is nice. “Yeah,” you admitted reluctantly. The grass was cool underneath your fingers, and you traced its patterns absentmindedly.

Your gaze was drawn to the distant islands on the horizon. The view here was incredible; a mountain stretched far above the clouds, surrounded by endless terrain dotted with pink trees. It seems to boast the capital city, a place you couldn’t wrap your head around. You frowned in thought.

"What's the building behind the statue?" you asked Kazuha. You pointed towards the mountains, watching the sun disappear behind the peaks.

He turned toward the direction you were pointing. "Hmm… maybe the Imperial Palace of Tenshukaku?”

A gust of wind rustled Kazuha’s hair. He reached up and smoothed his silver locks down. “It must be pretty huge. Why’s it so close to a town? Isn’t that dangerous for the Shogun?”

He shrugged his shoulders, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "I'm not really sure. I guess the Shogun thought it would make it easier to control the population." A sigh left his mouth. “But then, it's pretty hard to find people willing to cooperate with the Shogun, especially after she tried to take away everyone’s visions.” You heard the stories of how she would rip a person from their vision. Visions are tied with one's identity, their purpose. She tried to attack the foundation of who people are. All that remains would cruelly be a husk of a person, not fully there but not really dead either. It was a fate you knew very well. According to the International Trade Association, you were once a traveler, one who got caught in the crossfire. It made perfect sense she put up the statue in front of her palace, as a warning.

You didn't understand. It's a person's will that earns a vision, it becomes something inherent to them. "How can a vision even be revoked?" you challenged.

“Isn’t it something eternal?”

Kazuha stared at you quietly. His gaze was unreadable; it was difficult to read his expression, to tell if he was serious or joking. You stared back, unsure whether it was wise to challenge him. After a few moments, his brow furrowed.

“Do you remember the Rōnin who parried the Musou no Hitatchi?” he remarked.

You nodded slowly, recalling the story.

"... Did you know that the Rōnin had lost a very good friend?" His voice became softer, quieter; it was laced with sorrow. His gaze returned to the clouds, a pensive look in his eyes.

“Kazuha,” you began, your own eyes narrowing slightly. "...Tomo. That’s the Inazuman name for a friend."

"News came that 'divine punishment' would be unleashed upon the rebellion. It is the pinnacle of the Shogun's skill, a show of ultimate power. Tomo believed that there must be one who could withstand it and challenged the Vision Decree before the throne. He faced divine punishment himself. The Raiden Shogun summoned Nine lightning bolts, each simultaneously slashing the target. He died instantaneously.”

You felt your heart ache as you listened to his tale. You swallowed heavily, staring down at the grass at your side.

"...I'm sorry." He blinked quickly, batting away tears. “When the Rōnin arrived, the duel was over and his friend had lost. All that was left was Tomo's dying vision in his hand. The Rōnin made a promise that when he returned, he would put an end to the decree.”

Kazuha shifted in his position slightly; he was looking at his hands now, fiddling with his thumbs as he tried to explain. "Visions can still fade; it depends on how strong the user’s resolve is.." Kazuha reached into his bag for something

“But, it’s said Tomo’s Vision never disappeared, even after he passed”

He pulled out a small box and placed it on top of a small stone in front of him. When he opened it, you gasped in surprise. Inside was a glass ornament. A beautiful, opalescent glass, with no distinct element.

“Kazuha… were you the Rōnin in the story?”

The words barely formed on your tongue, and yet they hung there waiting to leave them. Kazuha looked up at you, his eyes soft with memories you wished you could hear. "Yeah," he replied, almost wistfully.

It suddenly occurred to you how strange it was that Kazuha had asked you to come all the way to this island. This wasn't part of his journey; there was no reason to be near the capital. And yet, he'd agreed to let you travel with him for days, weeks, months, a year now; why would he come here without any reason?

You watched his gaze return to the glass ornament. “There’s something I’d like to ask of you, if your willing...” he said after several seconds of silence

“Anything.” You answered immediately.

He closed the lid and handed you the ornament. You held it, marveling at the beauty and intricacy in the design. He watched you closely. When you met his stare, he spoke. “Please protect Tomo’s memory for me,” he requested softly

It wasn’t much, but the sentiment warmed your chest.

“Of course.” Your tone was gentle. You didn’t really know what he meant, but you knew you could at least do that. The ornament glimmered in the sunlight, casting its shadow over you. Kazuha watched it carefully, his gaze focused and unwavering. When out of nowhere an electricity shot through your veins. It compels you to stand up and check your surroundings. The ornament thrummed in your hands like it was alive. It felt warm in your hands.

‘What’s going on?’ you wondered. Suddenly, an enormous roar sounded, like thunder rolling in the distance. Kazuha flinched at the sudden loud sound; however, your vision changed suddenly. Colors burst past you like watercolor paintings. You felt dizzy. Your breathing hitched. There was no doubt what happened. You saw Kazuha fighting against the storm. A flash of light consumed the world, and you fell to the ground.

“Y/n?!” Kazuha cried. He quickly got up, kneeling beside you. “Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine..!” you managed to say between gasps. “I just– it felt like I was being ripped in half!”

You watched him in shock, the air full of static. The colors in front of your eyes disappeared, and all that remained was your reflection in the now bright purple glass.

"Kazuha!" you exclaimed. "Look!” You thrust the Vision onto him; Kazuha took it gingerly, studying it carefully, his lips pursed tightly. He brought the vision closer for the further examination.

“It seems different.” He murmured."I think you might have reactivated Tomo’s vision." His eyes widened; you couldn’t blame him.

“I didn’t think that could ever be possible. Would you mind trying to use the vision?

If it’ll work, we might see my friend right?” Kazuha’s voice was trembling with excitement.

"Of course,” you reassured, placing a hand on his shoulder. You closed your eyes and concentrated. The same energy traveled through your veins as before, making the hairs stand up on your arms. This time, the colors around you started changing. They faded. Then, suddenly, another sensation overtook you. Lights begin to flash violently as you tightly close your eyes.

You felt your body collapse at the sheer amount of energy you were harnessed. In your peripheral vision, you saw Kazuha again, holding the Vision in his hands as he talked with a figure you’ve never seen before. He spoke about the war, the people who fought alongside him, and about the future. They were a short figure, dressed in plain, worn clothes, standing by his side.

You heard their voices, but couldn’t make out what they said. As they walked, the light intensified, becoming more brilliant; you couldn’t keep your eyes closed any longer. When finally, everything went black.

...

“It seems different.” He murmured. You leaned back against the tree. You watched him closely while he examined the vision. It seems our lives are intertwined now. Both of us share the same cord of fate.." You gazed intently at Kazuha, who seemed to be thinking deeply..

“Tomo!”

The sound of his voice resonated around the mountainside. The vision buzzed in his hands. “We are together again! We have fought for each other! Our souls remain bound together.” An intense wind picks up around you, stunned at what had just happened. Kazuha turned toward you; a small smile played upon his lips.

“This vision is Tomo’s blessing to us, so we should honor his wishes.”

#gixrsecretsanta2022 #Kazuha #Tomo #Kazuha x Reader #Lord I'm nervous #This is the first time actually posting any writing

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adtothebone · 4 months

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Anatidaephobia: The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you.

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cinnamonyup · 10 months

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Hear me out, Anatidaephobia devil.

Me and my friend were discussing this, it's the fear that someway somehow somewhere a duck is always watching you.

We came up with the idea that it would probably look like a goose with a million eyes and I am now tempted to draw this or find it somewhere out there on the internet.

#csm

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lefanartist-archive · 2 years

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Trollos pet duck, Anna

Based off of Anatidaephobia the fear a duck is somewhere and somehow watching you

#the trollge files #trollge files #the trollge files oc #trollge files oc #oc: Anna

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brucewhite · 4 months

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Backup Is On The Way | Bril

Date: January 10, 2024

Featuring: @agentgrumpy-gils

Warnings: Some mention of merm peril but nothing graphic

BRUCE

Normally, Bruce was very polite and patient when it came to his meetings with Gil. He recognized that the agents had a lot on their plates, more than Bruce even knew about. He didn’t assume his needs or his questions should take priority.

But this was different. Gabriella’s life was in danger now. And every second that passed could be a second too late.

So he showed up at Gil’s door a frantic mess, before the agent even got back from work. Right. It was the middle of the afternoon. Bruce never would have done this normally, but he pulled up Gil’s contact on his phone and pressed “call.”

“Gil, I need you to leave work and meet me at your flat,” he breathed, heart racing. ”It’s an emergency.”

GIL:

Gil was entering data in a spreadsheet when he saw Bruce’s name flash on his phone. He paused, glanced around to see if anyone was watching him, then stood up and took his phone and laptop, ducking into one of the empty conference rooms.

Before he could even say hello, Bruce spoke.

Gil felt his blood chill.

“I’ll be there in fifteen.”

He told his supervisor it was a family emergency, and because Gil was the sort of hard office worker who rarely took any time off, that request was granted without question.

He got to his flat and found Bruce waiting there. Quickly, he opened the door and ushered Bruce in.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, the moment the door shut.

BRUCE

“It’s the inbox, Gil, the one I wanted to set up for the support group, it was a terrible idea, I should have known it all along…” Bruce grimaced, a fresh wave of guilt settling in his stomach. No time for that, he told himself. He had to get through the story. He had made a promise to Gabriella.

He shook his head. “I got a message, and I stupidly messaged them back, and somehow they used it to find Whosits and Whatsits. Turns out it was reporters undercover all along, and they came into the shop and tried to interrogate us. They were convinced it was Gabriella, and she just… let them believe it. We tried to reason with them, but they just wouldn’t. And then they left. And they’re going to publish the story, any day now, and they’re going to name Gabriella, and I know I should have taken the fall, it was my fault to begin with, but I just… I don’t know, Gil, I don’t know what happened…” Bruce’s voice broke, and tears blurred at his vision.

“We need to get Gabriella out of here and somewhere safe. Ideally, home. I don’t even know if that’s possible, but I don’t want her to be on her own out there, and I know you have people around the world, so please, if there’s any chance you could find them…” Bruce pleaded. “I’ll never ask another thing again, I promise.”

GIL:

Gil did not say anything.

He felt something sink in the pit of his stomach, but he did not say anything. He listened. Because this was Bruce’s worst fear — not just Bruce’s, but Gil’s, especially when it came to the group of merfolk that they had promised would be okay. They weren’t okay.

He’d failed them.

Bruce hadn’t failed them — Gil had. He should’ve known better.

But he could make this right.

There was time. He had resources. Gabriella was not a ward of the RAS, but she was a Magick in need, and Gil could be proactive about who to extend such care to.

“Can you get her to send me any and all personal information she has?” asked Gil. “Shiftwell would be able to do this faster, but I understand if Gabriella would rather keep it directly to me. We can start looking for her home, but if necessary we can always set her up in a different RAS hub and link her up with agents there.”

BRUCE

Gil was good at his job, just as Bruce had assured Gabriella he would be. Bruce knew this because he didn’t panic when Bruce told him the story; he just jumped right into fixing things. And maybe part of Bruce had hoped that he would say something else— that he would be as angry or scared or sad as Bruce was, that he would question how Bruce could have been so gullible or assure him that it wasn’t his fault— but Bruce knew that wasn’t Gil’s job to do. And he was better at his job than that.

So Bruce tried to focus on fixing things too. “Yes, er— I think she’d be more comfortable corresponding with you. Given, er, the way things went with the reporters. Not that I don’t trust Agent Shiftwell, obviously, it’s just… you know,” Bruce explained awkwardly. “Do you… really think it will work? You’ll be able to find her family?”

GIL:

“I can’t make any promises,” said Gil, slowly. He wanted to find them, though. He didn't realize how much till he said that out loud, a standard line he used time and time again. The RAS couldn’t make promises. They could do their best, but sometimes their best wasn’t enough.

Gil wanted it to be enough. He wanted it to be enough.

“If I can’t find her family, I can at least find somewhere where she’ll be safe,” said Gil. “We have a lot of contacts and we can easily place her somewhere far away. Give her a new identity. It’s not easy to start over, as I’m sure you know… but it’s a solid backup.”

How tragic was it, Gil thought, that this was one of the best case scenarios for people like them. Thrust into a world they did not belong, hoping that it was enough.

BRUCE

Bruce did know. It was his own story, after all. A new name, a new identity, a team of agents looking out for you. Bruce was grateful for all of it, of course. But it wasn’t the same as being with your family. With your pod.

Not that Bruce wanted that, of course. He’d made his peace with losing them long ago, and he had to focus on his life on land now. Just because Gabriella belonged with her people didn’t necessarily mean the same for Bruce.

But when he pictured Gabriella leaving this place, no matter how good life could be with the RAS, he pictured her finding her way home. Because if he was being completely honest with himself, he found himself missing home too, lately, little things— making sushi with Cass, or trying to talk to the otters in the gym pool. Those moments reminded him that even if he didn’t fit in here, there was somewhere else he did fit in. And maybe, someday, he would find his way back there.

This wasn’t about him, obviously. It was just something he understood, as a merman. And something he believed Gil understood, too. And that was why Bruce trusted him.

“Okay,” Bruce said anxiously. “I- thank you, really, it means a lot. This is my fault, and I want to help fix it, but I knew you’d know what to do.”

GIL:

“Don’t agonize too much over it,” said Gil. It came out a little sharper than he intended, so he sucked in a breath and shook his head. “I mean… you wanted to help. It’s shitty that some assholes took advantage of that, but it’s not your fault. We’ll fix this, okay?”

He reached to clasp Bruce on the shoulder and looked him right in the eyes.

It wasn’t Bruce’s fault that he believed in a kinder world.

And Gil wanted to live up to those expectations.

“One way or another, we’ll fix this, and Gabriella will be safe.”

BRUCE

Bruce nodded, overwhelmed with emotion— gratitude toward Gil and the RAS, grief at what he was losing, anxiety about what Gabriella’s future may hold. But he knew one thing for certain: she wouldn’t be alone. And that was what mattered.

She was much braver than him, anyway. Bruce had learned that time and time again. She would be okay.

“I trust you,” he said, tears welling up. He couldn’t help it— he wanted to be smart and stoic and rational like Gil, but he couldn’t. Another reason to be grateful for him. “There aren’t a lot of people I trust right now, but I’m going to trust you.”

#gil #backup is on the way #<3

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