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echos-gal · 1 day

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ok i'm rapidly losing hope that Tech is still alive, and this sucks because it was basically the top thing i desperately wanted from this season. i wanted to see him survive. so here's my exhaustive and embarrassingly long list of reasons why he SHOULD still be alive, and if he isn't, why it was a missed opportunity. obviously no hate to the writers or anything, i love them dearly for creating this show!!!

(if you're a "Tech should stay dead for the stakes/so someone in SW stays dead for once/i hate delusional Tech stans" person, kindly keep scrolling, this ain't for you)

SEASON 2:

right from the start, Romar connects with Tech and calls himself "a survivor." HELLO???

in this same arc, Tech breaks his leg in a fall which he survives. he continues to walk on it, fighting off troopers to save Echo & Omega, showcasing his persistence and grit.

one of Phee's first lines is "better late than dead," and we know she shares a connection with Tech. she flirts with him later in this scene. it would be a shame not to reuse this line, i'm just saying....

Cid still owes Tech for racing for her in Faster. we see Cid looking miserable as she betrays the batch in Plan 99, so her playing a part in his rescue/comeback would be a nice way to show her growth. (i'm afraid there isn't enough time for this, though- as much as i thought a Cid redemption was on the horizon!)

Phee and Tech's departure is awkward, and although we have some context from season 3 (they talked more than we realized), the scene would do best if reconciled in person imo. it felt like it was setting up for something, and feels weird to leave hanging.

"don't go running off with any pirates or smugglers" could not have just been a throw away line. it set up for him to do exactly that. how fitting would it be if pirates or smugglers actually did manage to pick him up before the empire made it to the railcar crash site?

Hemlock's retrieval of the goggles shows that he sent a team to look through the wreckage. he thought there was a chance Tech survived, and may have him.

i won't go into the logistics, but big falls ARE survivable. in star wars especially. we have no idea what was below the layer of clouds/mist Tech fell through.

SEASON 3:

this is mostly CX-2 centric. their armor is very similar: the jaw/mouth shape, the hexagons over the ears, the rectangles on the chest, and the pouches/pockets.

"domicile." that is all.

CX-2 uses technology more than the other operatives we've seen, and he gets past the encryption on Phee's ship with ease.

"who are you?" was enunciated in the exact same way Tech says it to Trace and Rafa, which i definitely think was intentional.

CX-2 stops to use his rifle scope in the exact same spot where Tech and Phee stood to let down the ladders in the sea surge on Pabu.

he survives a waterfall plunge on Teth, which appears to have fooled Rex's group into thinking he'd died. the writers could have killed him off there and sent a new operative, but they chose to stick with CX-2 pursuing them to Pabu.

it's worth noting that while this CX is designated as "2," Tech's CT number is CT-9902. he is associated with the number even on a visual level: he's a dual-wielder, he wears goggles, he salutes with two fingers.

FROM A STORY PERSPECTIVE:

firstly, i am sorry and i LOVE the writers, but if you want people to accept a character's death, you've got to show his family and friends' grief. we saw no reaction from Crosshair or Phee, no tears from Hunter or Echo. it feels like fans were sadder about Tech's death than the characters in the story.

Tech seems to have been mentioned more in the second half of season 3 than the first half, which works if they want to bring him back in the finale.

the finale is called "The Cavalry Has Arrived." i really don't think you can have the cavalry (aka the bad batch) arrive without every member present. i also don't think it would feel right to play their theme without Tech there. idk, that feels incomplete!

we saw no body, and Hunter received Tech's goggles not from a trusted ally or friend, but from Hemlock. this calls into question the legitimacy of his claim that the goggles were "all he could salvage."

Tech alive and being held on Tantiss would provide a nice parallel to Echo in the first mission where we meet the batch, in TCW. and [ep 14 SPOILERS] we see that Echo is currently looking more like his TCW self, with his earpiece removed.

feels kinda sour that a character who a lot of people related to as neurodivergent representation would die just a few episodes after having a deep conversation with his sister about it.

likewise (and as a white woman i can't speak for WOC), from what i have seen, Black women are rarely the main love interest of a series! Phee is the ONLY love interest in this whole show, and it would suck to just cut off that romance before it could really become something. a lot of people wanted to see TechPhee become canon.

CX-2 is the one who destroys the marauder. it works well storywise for its pilot to have been the one to do that- the person who worked so hard modifying it, flying it, and teaching his sister to fly it. i'll be lowkey pissed if it turns out some random dude blew it up.

it's also CX-2 who invades and sets fire to Pabu. this is emotionally gripping on its own, but if he is Tech, it's even more so.

we have no idea what the operatives go through. Crosshair isn't telling, but it clearly put him in a really bad place. if Tech underwent this conditioning in his post-fall injured state, there's a chance he could come back from it. Emerie is probably the key to this, if they take the CX-2 route.

this show is all about a family trying to stay together as the Empire desperately tries to rip them apart. seeing the whole family together again - even if not everyone survives - in the finale is the satisfaction that the show ideally would go for. the last time they were all together was the season 1 finale. that was about 2 years ago in the show's timeline.

leaving Crosshair and Tech's final interactions be where they parted on the Kamino platform also feels off. Tech was the one who really vocalized the need to rescue Crosshair in season 2's finale. Crosshair, in the meantime, has changed significantly as a person. Tech's comment about Crosshair being "severe and unyielding," and unable to change this facet of his nature, is incorrect. leaving Tech dead would mean that he never gets to see this change in Crosshair, which makes me feel like a deflated balloon.

FROM MY SELFISH PERSPECTIVE!!!

give me Tech with cool scars and slightly disheveled longer hair. this is such a good opportunity for the creators to give him a sweet new look!

we never got to see Tech without his goggles on, despite Phee constantly referring to his eyes. he definitely doesn't have them right now (they're in the Archium), so we could get Mister Big Brown Eyes if he's alive. it's another missed opportunity if not, imo!

the goggles being placed in the Archium was a beautiful scene that makes me tear up whenever i think about it. it's symbolic, it's bittersweet, and it's exactly where the goggles belong. but was it closure for me? not really.

Tech is a character who became a LOT of people's favorite in season 2, including my own. why kill off a fan-favorite with an entire season to go?

yes, i desperately want a Rex and Echo series. yes, i want the batch to cameo in it, and yes... that includes Tech. making up for lost season 3 Tech content 😎

the finale will feature the zillo beast, and Tech loves the zillo beast. FREE HER! REUNITE THEM! he would love to witness her rampage.

FROM A "SURPRISE!!!!!" PERSPECTIVE

it seems like most people think Tech is either CX-2 or dead. it would be a great finale twist if we DID get CX-2's identity, it's NOT Tech, the audience loses hope, and then he shows up. i think this is actually plausible given the other assassin schematics Hemlock was looking at in Point of No Return. Tech might be in Hemlock's grasp, but not an active operative. having an enhanced clone to toy with is something Hemlock would want to keep under wraps. we see him step out of the assassin chamber at the start of that episode - if Tech is anywhere on Tantiss, i think it's here.

i think the writers have expected us to have all lost hope by now, so his finale reappearance would ideally come as a shock. the finale is almost guaranteed to be a very long episode, so we really might have quite a bit of time to explore his return, if it happens.

secret 16th episode: i know, i'm putting my clown makeup on as i type this. but the previous 2 seasons each had 16 episodes, with a two-parter finale. season 3 is just 15, with a single episode finale. TBB formally ends may 1st, so what if we get a may 4th surprise episode detailing how Tech survived? (that or an epilogue leading into a new series, which i think is more likely actually!)

#i definitely forgot some points but i just need to post this and be done with it #feel free to add your own observations 👀#tbb tech #the bad batch #tech lives #techphee #tbb spoilers #the bad batch spoilers

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vixstarria · 2 days

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Communication

Surprise surprise, they're no good at it.

This is a continuation of my in-game bardlock series, seeing as I left a large gap in it between an intimate and emotional scene and a whole bunch of unhinged fucking. Sorry about that.

Takes place after Intimacy but can be read as a stand-alone!

Read on AO3

Astarion x f!Tav

Early Act 3. It has been nice, but it's time Tav and Astarion actually figured out what it is they're doing and what comes next.

Tav is a half-elf bardlock. I'm calling her Tav in this fic, but if you know you know.

Hurt/comfort, some fluff and a drop of humour (I am me after all) if you squint, love, angst

TW: some very casual violence and murder

Approximately 3.9k words.

“Well?” A very giddy Astarion had appeared behind Tav. “Let’s go!”

The party had finally reached the outskirts of Baldur’s Gate and were setting up camp near Rivington, after a brief excursion in the area.

“Go where?” she asked.

“Anywhere! I haven’t seen these streets in sunlight in two centuries.”

“Now..?”

The city was flooded with refugees. Some child whose mother was definitely not coming for her had seemingly declared herself adopted by the group. There was a towering pile of corpses just outside one of the nearby gates. A circus was in town.

It was nice to finally be back in civilisation.

“Yes, now! Forget the bloody tent, maybe we’ll find an inn to sleep in for a change.”

Nothing had been arranged, set up or planned yet. They had only the vaguest notion of where they were going.

“Sure, a walk sounds lovely right now,” shrugged Tav.

It very quickly became obvious that finding an inn would be nigh on impossible. The streets were crowded with refugees, frantic citizens and all those who would either try to keep them in order or prey upon them.

“Are we going anywhere in particular, or are we just... going?” Tav asked, trying to make her way through the throng. She had never seen Baldur’s Gate this busy before.

“There is something I’d like to show you,” answered Astarion. “Some place, to be exact. It’s- hey!”

He realised that he was talking to no one, as they had been separated by a group of dwarves pushing their way through between them. Tav smiled at him over their heads, raising her arms in an open-palmed gesture of defeat and resignation.

“Can’t you keep up?” Astarion sighed, rolling his eyes, and reached for her, taking her hand and linking his fingers through hers.

This… This was new, particularly in public, and Tav bit her lip, fighting not to smile, as he guided her after him.

Astarion glanced back over his shoulder at her, to see her grinning.

“Oh shut up,” he huffed, before spilling into a smile too, despite himself, and drawing her close to kiss her.

“Half-elven whore,” a nearby elven woman muttered to her companion in elvish, tsking in distaste at the sight. Either she did not expect to be heard or understood, or simply did not care.

Astarion turned towards the woman, with a glower, but before he could retaliate with his own snide remark, Tav told the elven woman to go fuck herself with a splintered broom, in perfect elvish, and pulled Astarion further down the street before the woman thought of anything else to say.

“Such... delightful use of the True Tongue, dear.” Astarion seemed in equal parts impressed and taken aback. “Don't tell me you’ve been holding out on me this whole time..?”

“Oh, no, I only know a little bit,” laughed Tav.

“Do indulge me.”

“No, it’s really hardly anything,” she shook her head. “I can count, exchange pleasantries and profanities, know a few songs I can’t translate, and a few odd phrases.”

“Such as?”

“I can scream for help in elvish, for one,” she offered.

“Why would you need to scream for help in elvish..?”

“Men are more likely to come running if they think it’s a little elven maiden they’re rescuing,” she explained with a sigh.

Astarion mulled that over with a frown for a bit.

“I’ll have to take your word for that... What else? And for hells’ sake, just say something, I enjoyed hearing it.”

She said the first phrase that came to mind.

Astarion stopped dead in his tracks, with what Tav knew to be the expression he held when he was doing his best to keep his face straight.

“So let’s start with what you think you just said.”

“...Shit. ...Uhh.” Tav gave Astarion a sheepish look. “‘My small children have had nothing to eat for days.’?”

“Darling,” he said, cupping her cheeks, trying not to laugh. “My love. That’s not quite it... Now, how many people do you think you’ve told you’ve ‘eaten nothing but small children for days’..?”

“Ah... That explains the reactions,” Tav said thoughtfully.

“Horror?” Astarion finally snickered.

“Usually laughter... I just figured most elves were assholes.”

Eventually Astarion brought them onto a rooftop that offered an impressive view of the city and surrounding regions.

“It’s so strange to be here in daylight,” he murmured. “This was one of my spots,” he said, turning to Tav. “I used to come here at the start of my evenings, alone, and just… enjoy the peace and quiet for a while.” Astarion took a pensive look around. “Admittedly, the tiles weren’t as hot at night, and all the bird shit wasn’t as prominent.”

They found a place to sit down.

“I thought you would try to get your job done as quickly as possible,” said Tav.

“There had to be a certain balance to it.” Astarion shook his head. “Start prowling too early, and the potential targets wouldn’t be ripe for the picking yet. And even if I managed to get someone back to the manor early on in the evening, it would only mean I would have to ‘entertain’ them longer.” He shut his eyes and leaned back against a chimney. “It was better to take some precious solitary repose, when I could.”

“Do you think you might have taken me back to Cazador if you’d met me back then?” Tav asked quietly.

Astarion opened his eyes and frowned at the sudden question.

“Not if I’d ever seen you perform, no,” he deliberated. “I never went for the bards. They were almost my co-conspirators, though they didn’t know it. I couldn’t waste them.” He paused before continuing. “But otherwise, if I’d just bumped into you at a tavern… Probably, yes. A pretty, reckless stray… You would have been perfect. …Would you have followed?” He asked, glancing at her.

“Probably,” she replied, staring off into the distance.

They sat in silence until Astarion broke it with a question.

“Will you stay with me when all this is over?”

Just the sheer amount of effort he put into trying to make that question sound casual spoke volumes.

It caught her off guard. They’d spent many evenings in his tent lazily basking in vague fantasies about an ‘after’, usually concentrating on the idea of being able to stay in bed all day, or the concept of their hair and fingernails being free of dried blood and entrails for a change. They’d never actually discussed any realistic nuance of this ‘after’. Or what it might look like, other than what it wouldn’t look like.

“Are you certain you want to take Cazador’s place in the ritual..?” she asked, carefully.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Astarion immediately sounded defensive.

“You don’t even know what it entails or means, not really...”

“It means having everything I’ve been missing the past two centuries, what else is there to know?” He scoffed. “...You haven’t answered my question,” he said after a pause.

She said nothing for a while, looking down at her fingernails.

“Stay and do what..?”

“Anything!” he exclaimed. “Anything you want. We could do anything. Do you have any idea what I will be capable of? Of the power I will hold. The influence.”

“Yes, yes, legions of wolves, turning into mist,” she recited. “What else… Commanding ghouls, I think?” She threw her head back, looking at the sky. “I’m not sure why you would need to do any of that, though.”

“Unimaginable power, and you mock it…” Astarion said indignantly. “I suppose you would rather go frolic in the woods with Halsin..? …Oh don’t look so shocked, I’ve seen how he looks at you. Sleeping in the dirt, living off the land. Is that what would make you happy?”

“He looks at you the same way! And must you jump to extremes?” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Even if I were interested in Halsin, there is ample space between sleeping in the dirt and sleeping in that gothic monstrosity, in which I might find myself happy.”

They sat in silence for a while.

“I don’t think you should go through with it,” she said, finally. “Something about it just doesn’t sit right.”

Astarion looked at her with an unreadable expression and didn’t say anything. She continued.

“I know enough stories - and before you roll your eyes at me, there is usually a grain of truth to them – and I’ve read between the lines of enough history texts, to know there is no such thing as a jolly vampire lord that just has a grand ol’ time carousing in their castle. It’s always centred on cruelty, misery and violence.”

“I suppose you know plenty of stories of jolly vampire spawn,” he spat.

“Some, as a matter of fact. They usually revolve around romance and redemption.” She sighed and continued, as he let out a bitter laugh. “I’ve never heard of any demonic deals that ended in anything that wasn’t disastrous, either. The point is, nothing that involves blood or soul sacrifice has ever made anyone happy.” She looked in the direction of Cazador’s palace. “We should kill Cazador, burn it all to the ground and dance on the ashes. I will be by your side. And yes, I want to stay with you. Of course I do.”

“For how long?” Astarion asked quietly, after a pause.

“...What?”

“How long will you stay by my side? You have another... 100 years, 150 at best? I can’t offer any solutions to that as a spawn.”

She blinked, realisation dawning in her eyes.

“...Astarion Ancunin, did you just say you want to spend the rest of eternity with me?”

“Oh don’t you bloody dare turn this into a joke,” he bristled. “Just for once.”

“Not a joke, but…” She paused and gave her head a brisk shake, as if to snap herself out of a daze. “Just so we’re absolutely clear, what are you saying?”

“Isn’t it obvious..?” The grin that had crept habitually onto Astarion’s face felt like a suffocating mask. She only stared back into his eyes, unblinking, waiting for him to continue. “I could turn you. Grant you an eternity.” ‘With me’, he wanted to add, but the look in her eyes made the words die on his tongue.

None of this was going the way Astarion had expected. Not that he had planned any of this… Still, he’d made certain assumptions. He’d anticipated the conversation and day would flow somewhere along the following lines: re-affirm his plans for Cazador. Exchange words of undying love and devotion. Maybe, maybe make love to her again, later, in celebration. Instead everything was slipping like fine sand through his fingers. Words simply wouldn’t come out of his mouth. Everything he thought he might say suddenly felt pathetic.

“Turn me? To become one of your spawn?” Astarion opened his mouth to speak, but she talked over him. “Two centuries as something you say is less than a slave, a puppet, and you would so easily offer the same fate to me..?”

“First of all,” he sputtered, “I don’t know why you immediately assumed there would be others. Secondly,” he continued, slowing down, “there is another way, or so I’ve read. You wouldn’t be a mere spawn, but a-” Astarion winced, cutting himself off. “Never mind,” he said, shaking his head. This was rapidly spinning further and further out of his control. “I thought you trusted me?” he asked instead.

“It’s not about trust,” she said. “If you had the choice between a hundred years of absolute freedom or being enthralled to someone for eternity - doesn’t matter who - me, Gale, your long-lost grandmother, anyone! What would you choose?”

“I would never compel you,” said Astarion, his voice tinged with a hint of pleading.

“That’s not the point,” she said, looking away, running her hand through and tugging at her hair. “Let’s just head back. We still need to set up before it gets dark, and I promised Karlach we would visit that bloody circus…”

Something inside Astarion shattered and spilled, ice-cold, over his heart as she got up and walked away.

Not even an hour had passed since some of the happiest moments he’s had in centuries.

They walked back in silence.

Eventually they came upon an outpost of Flaming Fists and steel watchers, who had appeared on the road they had taken into the city. They were apprehending everyone trying to pass through, whether they were leaving or entering.

“Let’s try a side street,” offered Astarion.

They found and made their way through a narrow alleyway. It was empty. Suspiciously empty, in fact - no children running through, no one out for a quick smoke, no drunks pissing on the walls.

Sure enough, once they were halfway through, three goons intercepted their way, stepping out of a doorway. Two humans and an enormous half-orc wide enough to block out most of the passage.

“Alley toll.” One of the thugs flashed a malicious grin, eyeing Tav up and down. “Better pay up, doll.” Three more jeering hoodlums appeared behind them as he spoke, armed with crude but lethal weapons.

“Attempting to detain a Council battlemage on duty? Bold but stupid,” she said gravely. “Hand over your profits and Lord Gortash won’t learn of your little enterprise. This is your only warning.”

Trying to bluff and deceive her way through, per usual. Was there even a Council anymore? Did it employ mages? No matter. Whether due to the fact that she and Astarion had decided to wander the streets of the city in civilian clothes, without armour, or simply because the lust for money and violence had gotten the better of the would-be muggers, they paid her attempt no heed.

The leader laughed.

“Or, how about we have some fun with you, and your Lord Gortash can come and collect your body from the river once we’re done with it?”

Astarion’s blood boiled.

He reached for his daggers, thoughts racing. Why in the hells had they come here barely armed..? They were surrounded, but perhaps if she blasted the three in front of them they might run through..? But they were probably too close for that… Could she misty step behind them and get away? His undead body would most likely survive whatever came, even with the tadpole.

“Take the ones behind,” Tav snapped, and Astarion followed her lead, as he had grown used to, silently praying to no particular deity that she knew what she was doing.

He ducked as one of the goons bellowed and swung a sword at him, dodging the blow to come up next to his attacker, burying a dagger between his ribs and another in his guts, for good measure. At least the alley was too narrow for all of the bandits to come in on them at once. Behind him, Tav spat some incantation that he wasn’t familiar with.

The next lout came at him, only to stop short, as Astarion scrounged up his meagre magical abilities to hurl a firebolt at his face, making the man yelp and grind to a halt in shock and pain. Astarion’s dagger followed through his eye socket shortly thereafter.

The entire altercation with the two thugs took mere seconds. Another controlled shout from Tav followed behind him.

The last of the muggers on Astarion’s side backed away, looking at the scene unfolding behind Astarion with a horrified expression, before breaking into a run and disappearing.

Astarion turned back to witness Tav standing with her arms crossed, looking unaffected, just as the half-orc who had been behind the group’s leader pulled his sword back out from the leader’s stomach, having impaled him from behind.

Tav barked another command as the leader collapsed, and the half-orc slammed the head of his other cohort, who hadn’t understood what was happening yet, against a wall, with a resounding crunch.

A domination spell.

Astarion felt nauseous. If his body had been capable of producing bile, it would have crept up at the back of his throat. For once, the smell of freshly spilled blood all around them was repulsive to him.

“Kneel,” Tav commanded, calmly. The half-orc’s body immediately dropped to its knees, with a thud that spoke of damaged kneecaps.

“I’m running out of time. Do you need him?” She stepped over the body of the group’s dying ex-leader and walked around the half-orc, to stand behind him.

Disgust and revulsion continued to claw at Astarion’s insides.

“…What?”

The half-orc’s eyes were void of any emotion. A small mercy.

“Blood. Do you want his blood, before I spill it?” she said nonchalantly.

“…No,” he swallowed. Not like this…

He watched as she slit his throat, carefully standing behind him to avoid blood spraying over herself. Comprehension returned to the man’s eyes just as he made his last gurgling sounds, before stilling forever.

“That was despicable,” Astarion hissed, finally breaking his gaze away from the body. “Compulsion? Really?!”

She gave him an incredulous look, momentarily speechless.

“This is what I do!” she exclaimed. “This is how I protect myself. You know this! What the fuck did you expect - that I would set off a fireball in an alley?! Or make one of them have a fit of giggles?!”

“You didn’t need to do anything, I could have handled all of them,” he countered.

“Oh, stand behind you like a meek little lamb?” She scoffed. “While neither of us are even wearing armour, and they’re on both sides? Don’t be ridiculous.” She crouched to wipe her dagger on the dead man’s clothes. “What does it matter, anyway,” she said, offhanded. “Dead is dead - who cares how they got there?”

“It was just like Cazador all over again,” Astarion said, bitterly. “Watching my siblings torture each other, for his amusement, waiting for it to be my turn to be compelled.”

She stilled as she crouched, not looking up at him.

“You fucking hypocrite,” she said, finally, rising.

“What in the hells are you talking about?” he grimaced.

“Comparing me to Cazador, when you’re planning to take his very place.”

“How dare you?” Astarion felt the last of his composure leaving him. “I am nothing like Cazador, and I never will be,” he growled.

“No?” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re already thinking of your own spawn. Maybe you would keep your word and not compel me, but you would be curious. All that power that you’ve been wishing was yours for 200 years...” She gesticulated, tilting her head. “First just one teensy little slave - someone who’s wronged you, maybe, someone who deserves to bear your ire. Then, perhaps someone convenient, in a place of power. Someone like what you would have been, had Cazador not botched your death so bad that it became public. Then another. And another. And what will you do with them once you have them? Take them for midnight picnics and host slumber parties?”

She spat on the ground.

“I’m going back to camp.”

She stormed off, fuming, exiting the alleyway and mixing into the crowd. Astarion followed at a distance, discreetly wiping the blood that had landed on his hands on the shirt of a random passerby that stumbled out in front of him. He gritted his teeth, watching her.

It had taken every last bit of his self-control to not snap back at her during her little tirade.

He wanted to stalk off in the opposite direction, but frankly all his things were at the campsite, and he still needed the group’s help, both with Cazador and the tadpole. And he couldn’t discount something else happening to her on the way back.

No, none of this was what he thought would end up happening today. Was this the end..?

It didn’t matter, he thought. Let her be stubborn. Let her accuse him of gods know what. He would do what he had set out to do. Hells, even if she changed her mind later - it would be too late. Let her live out her “hundred years of freedom” in regret.

And how fucking dare she?! Insinuating that he was or could ever be anything like Cazador. After all he had given her. His trust. His love. He didn’t have anything else. Not as a spawn, anyway.

But perhaps she would change her mind, after she gave his proposal more thought..? He could talk her into it, couldn’t he? He’s talked so many people into doing exactly what he wanted them to do…

There was no point in anything otherwise. It was all for her. All he wanted for himself was revenge. Freedom. Safety. But all the power in the world was meaningless if he couldn’t share it with her.

Astarion winced at the thought, hating that it even crossed his mind. If only he could claw it out of his brain and smash it against the cobbles beneath his feet. How much simpler life would be.

He would not grovel. He would not apologise. He would not change his mind. And he would rather die, again, than be caught running after her like a dog.

Astarion cursed, slipped into the shadows and turned invisible, breaking into a sprint. He wouldn’t be able to replicate the trick for a while now, if the need arose, but he couldn’t care less.

He raced up sets of stairs, speeding through a terrace, dodging the patrons of whatever establishment it was he was going through, and leaped, unseen, onto the next building’s, until he was ahead of her, descending back onto the ground and losing his invisibility around the corner from the main street, stepping out just in front of her.

He caught a glimpse of her scowling and furiously blinking away tears just before she crashed into his chest with a light gasp, as he wrapped his arms around her. She was stiff and rigid, but at least she didn’t try to push him away. Still, a part of him was screaming that it was already too late.

“I don’t want you to have to commit those atrocities when you’re with me,” Astarion murmured into her hair, holding her close.

“You’d rather commit them yourself?” she retorted, her voice weak.

“I don’t want to,” he said quietly, as she seemed to become more malleable, and sank into his embrace, slowly wrapping her own arms around his back. “But I will if I have to. For you.”

“That makes two of us, I guess,” she managed, sounding choked up.

Astarion took a deep breath, relieved. Mine… Still mine… He thought to himself, touching his forehead against hers and stroking her cheek. Someone in the street heckled them, yelling something about getting a room.

“I already don’t have much to offer, beyond all my burdens,” he whispered. She looked up at him, eyes glistening. She tried to protest, but he pressed a finger to her lips. “I want to do what I can, for you. For us. What good am I if I can’t even keep you safe?”

He pressed his lips against her forehead as she hugged him tighter. He had no idea whether he had convinced her of anything, or if she simply didn’t have the will to argue anymore, but for now it didn’t matter.

“I will love you no matter what,” she breathed.

Another jeer followed from the crowd, and someone cursed at them to get out of the way.

“A legion of wolves sounds tempting right about now,” she added, as he smiled.

“Do you still want to get Karlach and go to that circus?” he asked.

“Fuck the circus,” she mumbled into his shirt. “But I guess we should.”

They made their way back to the camp, fingers interlocked again. The silence that stretched once more almost felt comfortable this time.

~~~~~

Thanks for reading!

Series master list

Next in series - A night at the inn

AO3

~~~~~

Tag list:

@littleenglishfangirl @something-pithy @darlingxdragon @tallymonster @tragedybunny @spunky-89 @acourtofpenandpaper @yoonshope @lariatbunny @whiskeyskin @asterordinary @wingsy-keeper-of-songs @spacebarbarianweird @brabblesblog @littlejuicebox @icybluepenguin @snowfolly @ayselluna @mj-bites @bardic-inspo

#astarion #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #astarion fanfic #astarion fanfiction #astarion x tav #astarion x f!tav #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fanfiction

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oneofstarkskids · 23 hours

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saturn

pairings: bucky barnes x reader

summary: bucky just likes to spoil his doll. you shouldn't expect any less on date night

genre: do you even have to ask anymore? ofc it's fluff

*not my gif*

it was your favorite night of the week. date night. you and bucky promised to spend one night a week just for yourselves. no missions, no avengers, just the two of you.

you would switch off planning every other week. today it was bucky's turn, and he always had the most romantic ideas.

you always loved spending time with bucky, but you especially needed it today. you felt inexplicably exhausted and wanted nothing more than sweet kisses and soft whispers from your blue eyed soldier.

his hands were resting on your hips and he had this teasing grin that told you he was up to something. "sam's letting us borrow his truck and it's already packed up."

you arched a brow, "how long are we going to be gone?" he kisses your forehead, "just for the night. don't worry, doll. i've got everything under control."

his words melted your heart and a smile spread across your lips instantly. "you can't tell me anything? not even an itty bitty clue?" you asked with a pout.

he gave you a stern look, "no, because that would ruin the surprise."

you groaned, but bucky just wrapped you in his arms and kissed all over your face, "you can wait a couple hours. trust me, it'll be worth it."

you grinned and shook your head, but you believed him.

he set you down carefully, "now go pack an overnight, so we can get out of here." you laughed and started walking away, but jumped as you felt bucky slap your ass. you turned around and shot him a glare.

the drive down was long and unfamiliar. you practically sighed in relief when bucky finally stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine.

you stepped out to stretch your legs and look around, but there was nothing to see. nothing but miles of fields and distant trees.

"hey, bucky?" you shouted to him as he got out too.

"yeah?" he shouted back, digging in the cargo bed for something.

"did you drag me out here to murder me?" you joke bluntly.

you turn to meet his disappointed scowl. "really?" he asks as you walk towards him.

you laugh, "i'm kidding! but seriously, what are we doing all the way out here?

bucky starts unfolding blankets and making a pallet in the back of the truck, "well, ever since we watched the one movie about the girl who falls in love with the boy but doesn't tell him she's dying, you haven't stopped talking about how romantic star-gazing is. so..."

he pulls out a large telescope and has the cutest grin on his face. you can hardly contain your excitement, "bucky! that's so sweet!" he gently sets the device down before you run into his arms.

"anything for you, doll face," he chuckles and places a kiss on your temple.

you help him finish setting the scene before laying in his arms and talking for a couple of hours. and of course, he brought snacks. could he be anymore perfect?

once it finally gets dark enough for you to see the stars, you look up in awe. you'd lost complete track of time with bucky. he stands up in the bed of the truck and reaches for your hand to lift you to your feet.

bucky brings you close and positions the telescope just right for you. he stands right up against you as you gaze at the sparkling sky. every now and then you'll ask him about a constellation and he'll look at this book that he brought along to give you the answers.

one could say it was the perfect date, but what really made it perfect was him.

a/n: i low key rushed the ending but its fiiiine. it's 4 am, give me a break.

#marvel #mcu #fanfiction #avengers #marvel fluff #bucky barnes #james bucky buchanan barnes #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x reader #a walk to remember mentioned!!#saturn sza

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queen-of-hawkins-why-ler · 19 hours

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Am I the only one who thinks that the thematic and narrative climax of s5 (and low key the whole show) will be almost a direct parallel to the "You said yes" scene from s2?? Like same exact narrative and cinematic setup of Will being controlled by Vecna to the point where he's nearly gone or on the brink of death, and Mike being able to bring him back to reality with words of love???

Like I low key feel like that scene in s2 was supposed to serve as a precursor and foreshadowing to the climax of Byler rather than just standing on its own as an isolated event. We always talk on here about how Mike's monologue to El in s4 was supposed to directly contrast that scene and demonstrate how false and unnatural Milkvan's supposed "love" is, but we never really talk about just how awkward of a placement it is for the true and "authentic" love confession (Byler s2) to precede the clunky and false one (Milkvan s4). Like, imo it kind of leaves things on an awkward note and kind of hanging.

The only way it wouldn't be awkward or unfinished is if there ends up being a followup scene/parallel to the "you said yes" scene, and I think this is what's going to happen. I think Mike's monologue to El comes after the more romantic, authentic confession not only because it's supposed to contrast it but because the show is serving us two different "choices," two different options for Mike, two different scenarios. Not just for the sake of his character arc but in a meta sense as well, kind of like asking the audience, "which choice makes the most sense for Mike given the events up until now and the themes of the show? Can he be his most authentic and happiest self with Will or El?" And the natural followup to posing this dichotomy would be to answer this question for us by showing us in no uncertain terms why Will makes more sense for Mike as a long-term love interest.

The other reason why I believe this to be the case is because of the blocking of the s2 scene and the way it's set up: with Will being unable to move, unable to say anything or regain any control, and with Mike opening up and being vulnerable about his true feelings for Will [here comes the most important part lol] IN FRONT OF the other characters like Jonathan and Joyce (I can't remember if it was the entire rest of the cast in this scene or just those two?? I think it might've been everybody bc weren't they trying to get Will to communicate with them using morse code? I don't remember lmao) but anyways, I don't think it was a coincidence that Mike gave his grand "Do you remember the first day that we met?" speech not only to Will himself but in front of the other characters. Remember as well that Mike also confessed his "love" for El in front of an audience, and I don't think that's a coincidence either. I think it's leading to a final confession from Mike that will also take place in front of an audience and will serve as the "choice" that Mike makes between El and Will as well as the "choice" the Duffers present as being the correct narrative and thematic choice for the show. It's important that Mike's initial two confessions took place in front of an audience and also that his final one will, because this will also serve as Mike's "coming out" moment to the rest of the characters and to the audience. I think that Mike is going to have a second speech to Will that isn't just "I love you I love you I love you" over and over again like it was to El. It will be sweet and unique to Will and Byler's relationship except this time it will be explicitly, undeniably romantic so that no one will be able to even think that what he feels for Will is anything short of genuine, passionate, romantic love.

I wouldn't even be surprised if what Mike says closely parallels what he said to El except basically the opposite, alluding to the fact that it wasn't "love at first sight" for him but a slow, gradually building and gradually cultivating love that blossomed over the course of his entire life. Instead of "I knew then and there that I loved you" like he did to El, he could say something like, "I didn't realize it yet when I met you, and I'm not even sure I know when it happened, but I think I've spent my entire life slowly falling in love with you." And he says it with tears in his eyes and in front of all of the rest of the characters, who will also be crying (especially Joyce lol). And of course Will will just be sobbing even through Vecna's control over him, but it will be Mike's love that ultimately frees him from Vecna's hold over him. This would make sense, because unlike El, Will's story has never been about independence and breaking himself free, but about him and Mike breaking themselves free through teamwork a la "I think that we should work together. I think it'll be easier if we're a team."

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smytherines · 3 days

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I love One Step Ahead for all the obvious reasons (gay angst), but also because it is so packed with little storytelling moments. Also it just seems exhausting. So much happens in that song:

1. Motorcycle chase (with office chairs)

2. Boat chase

3. Staff fight

4. Sword fight

5. Vigorous musket loading

6. Run up the staircase

7. Hang glider chase

8. Fistfight

9. Run halfway down the stairs again

And the entire time they are doing all of this, they're belting out a vocally demanding song. I mean, no wonder Curt Mega had to take a breath during that final note. That's a feat of endurance. I simply would've passed out and died.

One Step Ahead is one of my favorite setpieces of all time. In anything. Ever. It is so impressive, and it is even more impressive when you realize this was done by a tiny little independent company with the theatre budget equivalent of $1.50. Unreal. It should not be possible.

And the thing is, One Step Ahead is the perfect narrative counterweight to A1P1 (Spies Are Forever). The amount of thought they put into this is just stunning. Because here's the thing: A1P1 is also incredibly physical. For most of the song Curt and Owen are on the move, they're going up the ladder, they're fighting goons, they're going down the staircase, they're running.

But more importantly, Curt and Owen are touching a lot in A1P1. And yeah, that's fun in a swoony curtwen vibes way, but its also incredibly important to the narrative. They are touching a lot, and when they aren't touching they are standing just a little bit too close together. Its subtle enough that you initially dismiss it as a stylistic choice, but once you have the full context it is remarkably intimate.

Those are important details- like the way Owen has his arm around Curt and is literally holding his hand when they're talking to Cynthia. Its meant to tell us that they are together. In the romantic way, yes, but also they're just aligned, working together, on the same page. They are partners here. They literally have each other's backs.

And that's down to Curt Mega and Joey Richter selling the absolute shit out of these roles, and genius choreography by Lauren Lopez, and Corey Lubowich being the director of all time.

The digital download BTS has a part with Joey and Curt rehearsing the bit where they do the hug, and right after that they're trying to figure out what cool action poses to move into and Corey says that he wants to see something with them "connected," which is just... yeah, that's the perfect word to describe what is going on in A1P1. These two are connected.

So then we get to One Step Ahead. At the very beginning, Curt does the arm clasp with Tatiana. The first time they did this, Curt had a flashback of Owen. Owen was still his partner in his heart. But this time that bond is severed. Curt thinks of Tatiana as his partner now.

We get into the action of the song, and Curt and Owen do not touch. Even when they are very physically close together, there are weapons between them. In A1P1 they had lots of moments with their backs turned to each other, trusting each other, working perfectly in sync. In One Step Ahead they are facing each other head on. They are literally and figuratively fighting. They are breaking up.

The only moment during this sequence where they are actually touching each other is when Owen slaps Curt, Curt punches Owen twice, and they do that lock up move. They're only touching to hurt each other now.

And its so subtle and well executed that you don't really think about the parallels between these two scenes the first time you watch them. But you feel it on an emotional level. They had about ten minutes to establish the relationship between these two, and they used that ten minutes so effectively that the staircase scene ends up hitting like a ton of bricks.

Just. I love this show. I love how much TCB and Curt Mega and the rest of the cast care about this show. I'm so grateful they keep coming back to it. I cannot wait to see what they do with these scenes for Spy Another Day.

#spy another day #spies are forever #owen carvour #agent curt mega #tin can bros #curtwen #saf #tcb #tinlightenment world tour #saf rants

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bangficsx · 2 days

Text

DON'T GO TO STRANGERS

CHAPTER 1

previous | index | next

Genre: slow burn, romance, angst, smut, college setting, corrupt families, revenge, bodyguard, lots of parties, reckless hookups, denial, etc

Pairing: jungkook x reader

Warnings : consensual protected sex, slight mention of masturbation

As the flight takes off, Jungkook's arm shakes matching with the turbulence of the airplane. He closes his fists tightly trying to calm himself and takes a deep breath.

It's not the turbulence that causes his anxiety, it's fuelled by the uncertainty of the mission he is leaving his country for.

He has protected far more dangerous things than you, and been rewarded greatly yet he feels as if nothing he does will ever suffice to efface the doubts of those who don't believe in him.

He knows he's capable but this time what he's supposed to protect is a living, breathing person with her own will and ability to move around. It's you. He's being sent to Harwell to protect you.

Sitting on the seat behind yours, it's difficult for him to catch a glimpse of you. The sitting arrangement had been meddled with deliberately to have you in close proximity to him.

He hears you talk after the take-off with the guy that sits beside you. If he tries to focus he can hear the conversation that you two have going on.

You talk about your bachelor's subjects then why you have chosen to do a master's, and what your plans are for after you get the degree. Soon the conversation segues into things like dating and exes and quickly becomes NSFW.

"Morning sex or night sex?" You ask him and he titters before answering. Says it's different on different days and situations.

A blonde guy sits beside Jungkook on the aisle seat who leans over to the front, and says, "Hoseok look at this bro" he shows him something on his phone and the guy beside you laughs.

"Crazy humour" He settles back in his place.

Jungkook side glances at him before looking away. He's not shy and wants to stay away from becoming too attached to people because he's not here for the college experience but on a mission.

"Read this" Jimin turns the phone towards Jungkook's face. It's some webtoon panel that has a scene so freaking funny Jungkook wants to roll on the floor laughing. He somehow manages to just let out a little giggle.

"You also going to Harwell for uni?" Jimin asks keeping his phone face down on his thigh. Feels an urge to befriend this guy who sits beside him. He can't fathom why the cool looking guy is keeping quiet.

"Yeah, master's." Jungkook answers. He makes sure to not tell him too much about himself.

"Me too" Jimin smiles. "Psychology," he adds.

"Sociology," Jungkook replies. Bites his tongue, to punish himself for talking again when he didn't even ask.

"Where did you get your bachelor's from?" Jimin asks. Jungkook utters a curse in his mind, wanting to yet not wanting to continue the conversation.

"Yonsei," he answers. Knows the guy's gonna be like oh you must be so smart but he hates how he didn't really deserve it, and went there as a result of nepotism and power misuse.

They talk about some other things before becoming silent.

Jungkook can still hear you talk with Hoseok. His assumptions start to break down into little pieces slowly and slowly. With each line that he hears, another fact about you reveals itself to him, he feels how wrong he was.

Thinks he'd underestimated you. You weren't all that naive and reserved. He could tell that much with the way you were openly flirting and talking about anything and everything with Hoseok.

Your father had portrayed you as an innocent delicate doll-like creature in his descriptions. Jungkook had ignored the fact that fathers barely come to terms with their daughters growing up.

If your father could control it all he would still like to have you as a five-year-old throwing pretend tea parties in your princess-themed bedroom.

But you aren't five anymore, you're twenty years and five months. You graduated college with honours and finally got the ticket out of your father's house after an ugly fight with him.

Two years of your adulthood, you spent still bound by your father's rules. Now you were out, ready to live your life on your own terms.

You want what your friends had, which you had to struggle to get, freedom, and independence. You want to enjoy your youth that only lasts an hour.

Now it dawns upon Jungkook all at once, if you've been able to do things hidden from your father, what you would do now that you are going away?

You already have the boy by your side being all giddy and needy for you.

He realises his hands are full. It's gonna be almost impossible to keep an eye on you at all times.

You and Hoseok watch a movie together. None of you say it out loud, but it's like a date in very peculiar surroundings. You had just met him in the waiting area. Found that you two had adjacent seats. And he took it from there, his friendly demeanour soon blended with his attraction for you. You are everything he likes in his women.

Your excitement for a new beginning withers away when you grow tired of the slow-moving time, your body feels cramped, butt numb from sitting for so long. Even after a trip to the restroom, it doesn't go away.

Hoseok drifts off to sleep as you choose to read a book after the movie ends. Your father had insisted on getting you a business class seat but you insisted on getting the economy class experience like other students who were headed to the same destination as you.

It is a government-funded programme. Your parents could easily pay for the expenses but you don't want to take anything anymore from them.

Jungkook had gotten his place again through corrupt practices just like his undergraduate programme. Only going there to protect you. He did get to choose a subject of his liking. Concluded that if he were doing a degree, he'd rather study something he likes and actually learn a little.

He stands and politely wakes Jimin up to go to the bathroom. As he passes by, your gaze falls upon him.

You wish for a second, he'd been the one to sit beside you. The tattoo sleeve and the piercings only amplify how perfect he is.

You watch as he walks away, observing his broad shoulders, his veiny hands, his shiny nose, his starry eyes, and his silky hair. He stands out.

Then your gaze falls back upon the guy who sits beside you. He's perfect in his own way. He made you laugh like you hadn't in years. Talking with him was better than many other dates you have had.

You do happen to like him but he doesn't ignite that burning desire in you which that other guy had just threatened to.

You don't notice but when he comes back to his seat. He glances at you too. Tries to stop his brain from recalling your face again and again.

He noticed too much than he intended to just in that one glance towards you. Your dark orbs, long hair, slender neck and perfectly manicured hands that flipped through the pages of the book you are reading.

The long-haul flight finally comes to a stop as you reach the land where you are going to live for a while and make memories, learn from mistakes and gather life-changing experiences.

As you walk out following behind Hoseok, a little fluffy bunny face charm that was tied to the strap of your backpack, falls off. You walk away ignorant of it.

Jungkook picks it up and reads the letters written on it in handwriting that seems to belong to a child — ROMI.

"Romi" He calls after you pretending to assume that it is your name.

You don't hear him at first but when he calls again, you're standing numb at your spot, confused and startled at who is saying that name. It isn't a common name at all.

It's the name that your little sister gave to her bunny charm.

Jungkook walks up to you and says, "This fell" he hands it to you.

"Oh, how did this..." You are confused wondering how it was there. Then assume your sister must've tied it to your backpack while playing.

"It's not my name. This bunny is called Romi," you tell him. His lips curl up into a small smile.

You notice that the queue ahead of you has already cleared up and quickly run ahead.

A bus takes you to the campus where you are welcomed and shown around a little.

A university representative counts all the students who have arrived and checks the details on your documents with the ones that all of you have provided with your application.

All the students receive their student IDs and a booklet containing necessary details about classes and the campus.

Soon after all the boring things end, you finally go to the apartment that your father had arranged for you.

After a nice shower, being jet-lagged you decide to take a nap. You lay in your bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about how you were finally free. Obviously, you have to study hard but your freedom is exciting.

You don't have to worry about getting too drunk anymore, worry about how far a party is, look at the clock in fear you'll get home late or the worst, rush sex. You've had your share of sex but they've only been hookups so far. You know how much dedication and time, committing to somebody takes. And you just didn't have the liberty before.

Now you're ready to play the field. Find who you want to be with or who you definitely do not want to be with.

When you wake up and grab your phone to dismiss the alarm that was ringing, you find notifications from a text chain titled Oliver's Party.

Your number must've been shared by Hoseok.

The guy had sent details about a party at his apartment in the evening. He had asked for a response from whoever wanted to come.

You quickly type a Me!, thrilled by the idea of a party. Finally, an opportunity to enjoy yourself to the fullest.

You look at the other members of the group, there are some recognizable faces that you saw at the campus, then you find him. Him. The guy who sat behind you on the plane. The guy with a tattoo sleeve and a lip piercing.

You get to know his name, Jeon Jeongguk, it says on the screen.

His profile has a picture of him, a selfie with him pouting and making a peace sign.

You look at the picture for far too long than you know is appropriate. Stare at his lips and his doe eyes.

You shake your head goin back from his profile to the group chat and check the new texts. He hasn't replied so he might not be coming. He did seem a bit of a reserved type of guy to you. You didn't hear him talk too much, just once or twice with Park Jimin, he even denied Hoseok when he offered him chocolate, who is actually the type you think most people would like to talk to.

More than a guy, you also feel the need of a girlfriend when you are unable to decide what dress you should wear to the party. After getting into some and tossing them away, you finally opt for a white slightly oversized t-shirt and black skirt to be paired with boots.

You comb your hair nicely before you pick your purse up to leave. Switching off the lights, you check your phone for updates on the cab you had booked. You lock your door properly before going down the stairs.

There's an apartment across the hall from yours. You wonder who lives there. Most units in the building are occupied by students from nearby universities or young people who are singles.

When you reach your location, you find a group of girls moving inside together. They seem to be best friends, must've been together before they came here.

You don't wanna become part of a group because then you'll always be treated like an outsider somebody who doesn't know the fun times from the past or the inside jokes.

You want a loner who won't have many others to talk to. Somebody who if you lend an ear to them would lend one back to you.

You went through a friendship breakup at seventeen. She was your best friend since middle school. You only realised how one-sided it was once you grew older.

You heard her ran about her problems even at 2 am with full attention but if you told her about yours, she would make some excuse and change the topic or cut the call or pretend that she was busy.

You look around as you enter the house. You find those recognizable faces present, chattering away in different corners. Then your eyes fall on Hoseok.

He stands with a drink in his hands and a grin on his face. The people around him laugh. You recognise the blonde guy that was sitting beside Jeongguk.

You walk straight to him. Nervous about talking to strangers.

"Hoseok," You tap his shoulder and he turns towards you with a smile.

"Oh hey" He gleams when he finds you.

"I was waiting for you. Saw your text saying you wanted to come," You nod.

"Everybody came except Jungkook," Jimin says.

"Isn't it Jeongguk?" You ask. Thinking he must've gotten it wrong.

"Yeah, but he said he goes by Jungkook amongst friends," Jimin tells you.

"Oh," you tilt your neck slightly. He offers you a drink which you accept.

Taking a sip, you make small talk with them.

Your eyes wander, scanning the room for a girl you might want to befriend. After a few minutes pass by, you find someone.

You walk upto her as she stands near the counter where drinks were kept. You pour beer for yourself. One could take as much or as less as they want.

She turns towards you when you stand by her side. Hesitates before she asks, "Are these all alcoholic? I don't drink," she says.

"Oh no, they do have fruit beer. It's non alcoholic," you tell her.

"By the way, I'm Teja. Political science. And you?" She asks. You smile at her as she introduces herself. You can understand the hesitancy and nervousness in her tone because you feel the same emotions too.

You tell her about yourself and talk about some other stuff. Both of you share about your previous educational qualifications and other interests.

Soon you get her into the informal stuff. Ask her what she thinks about Hoseok. Her thoughts match yours. He's a decent guy, seems respectful and loveable.

You excuse yourself and go near him. He excuses himself too. The two of you stand in a corner to talk.

He tells you about how he met Jimin. They'd been in the same university, different majors but met through mutual connections and ended up applying and getting selected in the same uni for master's.

You think how lucky he is to have a friend accompanying him. It can be scary alone. It is for you somewhat, but you mentally prepared for months.

"I wanted you to come to the party so bad," He says.

"I knew you shared my number," you say and he agrees, nodding.

Hoseok keeps leaning closer and closer as you two talk. For a second, you fall silent, he looks in your eyes before he takes the final lean in and closes the gap.

His lips are on yours, you gently bite on his lower lip when you feel his tongue trying to push inside your mouth. You let him.

With his tongue in your mouth, you are pulling him in, grabbing his hair. His hand rests on your waist. He pulls back slowly. Looks at you. He's breathless.

"Wanna get out of here?" He asks getting all sorts of ideas he wants to execute.

You bite your lower lip before you nod.

"Before Jimin sees... let's go." He swiftly takes you outside. Asks, "mine or yours?"

"Mine," you answer. You trust him a little but not so much to be able to go sleep with him at his place. It's just the way you were brought up, you're always trying to protect yourself even when you are trying to have fun.

The cab ride to yours is silent, he passes a playful smile at you a couple times but mostly you two look out the windows, trying to learn and adapt yourself to the names of thed streets and such.

He rests his hands on your waist when you unlock your door. Turns you towards himself, once you two are inside and the door is locked.

"You are sure about this right? I mean you are a bit drunk so," He scratches behind his ears as he speaks.

"Hoseok, you have my full consent. I wanted to do it since before I got drunk." You reveal the secret to him. He smirks before kissing you.

Hoseok isn't the type to just sleep with anyone without knowing anything at all about them. It helps him that he does know something about you. Knows that the university does background checks and everything.

He isn't wanting to have sex with you just for the sake of sex, but because he likes you. Likes you far more than he should. Someone he's met less than twenty four hours ago.

There's just something about you that strikes right. You're just his type.

After a good amount of time spent kissing and stroking, you get down to business.

You're too aroused already. Thinking about how you don't have to rush anything. If you decide you can lay with him in bed later.

More so thinking about if he's gonna be the first guy to give you an orgasm. You always have to leave before it happens.

This time you don't have to.

It's not that you are a complete stranger to an orgasm, you have given yourself uncountable.

You look down at his cock wrapped with the condom. He's long, not as thick but long. You know he's better than the guys you've been with before when he asks you for consent again.

He's so sweet, you press a kiss on the tip of his nose. You pull your skirt up as you align yourself with him. He's sat on the chair by your study desk. You can't believe you're doing this here before you got the chance to sit on it and learn something.

Truth remains, you are here more for other things than studying. You know you'll do that too, because you are you. You are always on top of your work. Ace your exams. Complete assignments always at time. And once you start studying a topic, you don't stop until your brain can barely take in more information about it.

Hoseok moans as you slowly start to grind. It's been a while since he's had sex. Still he manages well to not just trip over the edge too soon. You feel good, too good. Your pussy, tight and warm.

There's a small square-shaped glass pane on the wall behind your desk. It gives a narrow view of the hall outside your room. It's one-way glass, meaning nothing can be seen from the outside but you can see a red colored view of the outside world.

The door across the hall opens and a guy steps out. You immediately recognise the tattoos that adorn his arm. He stands with his back to the wall and lights up a cigarette.

His all black outfit suits him better than the denim combo he was wearing earlier. He looks sexy when he pushes his hair back. Even sexier when he blows smoke out. You notice the flex of his jaw as he sucks in. His eyes have a hint of danger to them which has you clenching your jaw.

Well, something else clenches too, has Hoseok groaning, biting on your shoulder. Your pace increases as you finally feel yourself getting closer to a climax. And what's making it happen... you'd rather not acknowledge it.

You can barely believe he lives across the hall. Wish he is just visiting a friend. If he actually does, then you reckon, it's gonna be hell living in this apartment for you.

He stands there not just to smoke a cigarette. He knows that you've got a guy inside with you. He knows the guy's gonna leave. He's counting minutes before he'll have to make up something to check if you're still alive.

#jungkook fanfic #jeon jungkook #jungkook #jeon jungkook x reader #jungkook angst #jung hoseok #jung hoseok smut #jungkook smut #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook fic recs #bts smut #bts fanfic #bts series #jeongguk

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shebsart · 14 hours

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iirc you once said you liked subtle romance are there any movies or books that fit that description you can recommend?

hii sorry i forgot to answer this!

Please do recommend me stuff with similar elements, especially movies and books :))

I don't remember what I said this about but yes! The levels of subtlety might differ but I also really like when romance between two people is expressed in a non-direct way.

Some of these are not romance-focused but have a small part of it in them, some that I can think of for now: -Las Acacias (2011) - saw this one recently and some might call it boring but i was super invested in the minimal-dialog comunication between the two characters

-Leon Morin, Priest (1961) - i think my friends are sick of me talking about this one but you just HAVE to give this a try if you're into repression and melancholy in romance. Also hot priest <3

-I Dream in Another Language (2017) - it has magical realism! it has resentment! it has old people! Really really really reccomend this one, its a fave!

-Moonlight (2016) - not particularly a romance film entirely but it has a very touching moment of confrontation.. i need to revisit this one

-Fallen Leaves (2023) - anything by Karusimaki can be called subtle romance i think but i especially like this one :) The tone is very light and i like the northern humor

-The Lunchbox (2013) - also kind of slow but full of nice little moments

-Compartment No.6 (2021) - starts out as somewhat annoying (at least for me) but i warmed up to the characters later on. I like watching outcast people bonding over the story :)

-Phantom Thread (2017)- when you find the perfect someone who can handle your issues in their own unique way :3

-Amour (2012) - A different approach to love between an old couple. Theres one scene in this one that just makes me really sad but i wont say which.

-Love Letter (1995) , Brief Encounter(1945) , Frantz (2016) , The Appartment (1960) , Patterson (2016), Pain and Glory (2019) , In the Mood for Love (2000), Happy Together (1997), Portrait of a Lady on Fire(2019) , Before Trilogy (but especially Before Sunset, the second one), Last Life in the Universe (2003), A New Leaf (1971), Silence of the Lambs (listen it IS romance to me.), Sabrina (1954)- i put this here solely for the boat scene :)

I don't read many romance books but here are some that have romance i like:

-Stardust

-The Queen's Thief series(oof course :3 especially books 2,3 and 5 are my faves)

-Spinning Silver (has 2 seperate couples but i like one more than the other :3)

-Persuasion (by jane austen)

-Howl's Moving Castle (a fave!)

-The Mirror Visitor series

-Keturah and Lord Death (idr this one very well but it's a death and the maiden theme and pretty short!) , Curse of Chalion and it's sequel Paladin of Souls have some slowburn in them, Eyes of a Blue Dog (its a very unique short story by gabriel garcia marquez) , Chang ge Xing (manga)

#i also love when lovers cant get together or stay together for whatever reason !! and unrequited love/obsession :3 #this is kind of difficult to reccomend bc its kinda subjective and many romance i like is in movies that are not about romance o7 #and the ones that are about romance is not always subtle LOL i do like me some classic It Happened One Night type of romcom :3 #answered #books #movies #reccomendation

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imagines--galore · 2 days

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||The Thread of Fate|| Part Seventeen

Summary: Soulmate AU. They say the Thread of Fate connects you to your one true love. It may tangle. It may stretch. But it will never break. Wrapped around your little finger it tightens when it feels your soulmate is close and loosens when they are far. And becomes visible with the colors of your soulmate’s Nation when you finally fall in love with them.

Pairing: Zuko x OroraOC (ATLA)

Rating || Genres || Warnings: T+ Romance. Adventure.

Previous Chapters - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen, Part Sixteen,

A/N: This is just pure fluff. Plain and simple! Also I don't know just how those kissing scenes turn out? Like are they alright? I would really like to hear your opinion on them! I'm a little rusty with those scenes :/

It was late in the afternoon when Orora finally woke. She sat up, the blanket Iroh had covered her with pooling around her legs as she did. Yawning and rubbing her eyes, the young waterbender could still feel a strange tiredness emanating from within her. She'd definitely over-exerted herself when she'd given Zuko such a long healing session. It would take some time before she would be able to recover completely.

For now though, her stomach was rumbling, and all she wanted was food before soaking in a warm bath.

Finally able to blink away the last remnants of sleep from her blue eyes, she frowned curiously when she saw Zuko standing in front of the stove instead of laying down as he had been the past couple of days.

"Zuko?" She called out, voice still heavy from sleep, hair tousled, clothes rumpled and blinking up at him in an adorably half-asleep half-awake state.

He turned at the sound of her voice and smiled.

"You're finally awake. Uncle told me to let you sleep in. You've been sleeping for a long time." As he spoke, Orora slowly stood up. On instinct she walked up to stand in front of him and placed a hand on his forehead.

Zuko fell silent, amber eyes blinking at her in surprise.

Heaving a sigh of relief, coupled with a smile and her body relaxing, she shut her eyes. "Thank the Spirits the fever broke." She muttered, her body swaying slightly. "I was afraid it hadn't." Her voice sounded weak as she fell against him, her head feeling heavy.

"Woah!" His arms came up to grasp her shoulders, steadying her. "Maybe you should sleep some more?" He suggested, not at all opposed to the way she leaned against him, her eyes closed and her breathing relaxed.

She didn't seem to hear him as she nuzzled her head against his chest, arms lifting to loosely wrap around his waist. "I'm so glad you're alright Zuko." She whispered against him, feeling his arms tighten around her, holding her close. "Uncle told me how you stood for hours to help bring my fever down using your Healing Abilities." His voice was slightly muffled where he had his face buried in her hair, inhaling her scent and just basking in her presence. All of which Orora was reciprocating.

"Had to make sure you were alright. Who else is gonna annoy me every single day?" He pulled back from the gentle embrace to playfully flick her forehead. She batted his hand away, smiling at him, looking a little more awake then a few moments ago. Her eyes shone with an emotion he could not identify. "You're my friend." She said, the tip of her finger tracing along his scar, a touch that prompted him to close his eyes and just savor it, committing it to memory. "And I care about you. I would never have forgiven myself if something happened to you."

Her voice hitched at her own admission, and she finally allowed herself to feel the worry and fear she had bottled away during the course of his sickness. She sighed, dropping her gaze to his chest instead.

Anything to avoid looking at him.

Anything to avoid expressing just how scared she had been.

"Hey?" The sound of his voice, so soft and gentle, had her burying her head in his chest once more. There were no tears, it would take more then him getting sick to having her sobbing, even he knew that. That was something he admired about Orora. Despite the hardships she had faced, and all that she had endured, she never cried about it. "I'm fine now. We're both alright." He reassured her.

It was strange.

Where he would've felt awkward and uneasy at having someone be sad and anxious around him, he instead felt a sense of understanding and patience. She'd been like that with him for so long, the least he could do was reciprocate the feeling when she needed him.

Once she'd calmed down, he felt her take a deep breath to gather herself. "Where's Uncle?" The words were slightly muffled, prompting Zuko to smile at her though she couldn't see it. "He went out to get everything set up at our new apartment." The young Prince responded, gently guiding her towards the small futon sofa and lowering her down so she could sit.

The waterbender made a small sound of confirmation, shaking her head. She felt Zuko move away from her, only to return a few moments later with a steaming cup of tea in front of her. "Here. Uncle said this would help you recover. Its been helping me too."

Grasping the clay cup between her hands, and savoring the warmth that came with it, Orora took a small sip. Zuko, satisfied that she was drinking, took his own cup and sat down beside her. The futon sofa was big enough to fit three people, and yet the two teenagers found themselves a mere inch away from the other. Though Orora only became aware of the fact as she began to regain her strength with every sip she took.

The warm liquid helped revive her, and slowly she felt the fog of tiredness and anxiety lift from her mind, and the heaviness that weighed her down began to dissipate.

"Is this magic tea?" She asked, lifting the cup and sniffing at the content within. Zuko laughed softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if it were. I've had two cups already and I can feel my strength coming back."

Orora smiled. "Don't drink too much though. I don't want you to get too arrogant." She paused. "Well not any more then you already are." Zuko rolled his eyes though there was still a smile on his lips as he did.

"Whatever you think, I have to get my strength if I am gonna resume my position of protector." Orora frowned, turning to look at him.

"Did you get a new job?" She asked, confusion evident in her eyes, which had Zuko laughing softly. "You're still tired aren't you?" He said, his gaze so soft that she actually felt herself blush and look away.

But he stopped her, grasping her chin to guide her back to her previous position. "When I meant my position of protector I meant you Orora. Your protector."

Her mouth fell open, her eyes widened and she stared at him. Oh she could actually feel her cheek growing hot! Zuko raised an eyebrow. "Why're you so surprised? Isn't that what I've been doing since we came to Ba Sing Se?" He asked, his fingers moving from her chin to trace along her soft jawline.

"Well yes." How she regained her ability to speak, Orora had no idea. "But you always said it was annoying, having to look after me like a nanny." Spirits, his touch was distracting!

He shrugged. "It was, at first, but you somehow always made it fun." She rolled her eyes, though a small laugh escaped her. "What every girl wants to hear from their soulmate, that they had fun." Her tone heavy with sarcasm.

A thrill ran through him when he heard her call him that.

Soulmate.

"Well coming from me that's a big thing since I've rarely had any fun." Never once did he stop the gentle stroke of two fingers along her cheek. "I focused so much on making sure I didn't offend my Father that I never really had time for fun." He shrugged.

Orora pursed her lips, pouting slightly as she pushed his hand away with a small humph. "Why do you have to go and do that?" She grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. Zuko frowned at her in confusion. "Do what?"

Inhaling deeply, the young girl dropped the harshness of her expression to instead look at him softly. "Make me sad by reminding me just how much you've missed out." A pool of guilt settled in his stomach as he turned away from her. "I'm sorry." Her heart very nearly broke at the sadness in his voice. "I don't mean to."

Now it was her turn to guide him to look back at her. Though she did so with a firm hand against his cheek. "Well since I didn't have much fun growing up either, maybe the both of us can make up for it together?" She offered. Zuko simply nodded in acceptance, smiling at her, so open and unreserved with his feelings. "And it wasn't your fault. None of whats happened in the past was your fault." She reminded him, hoping he would somehow come to believe it as well. Zuko sighed. "I know it'll take time for me to accept that." He said, much to her surprise. She'd expected him to say something along the lines of her being wrong.

Her forehead creased. "You seem different, Zuko." He shrugged in response. "I feel different. Like some sort of weight has been lifted from my chest." Not liking how idle his hands were, he grasped her free hand between his own and began to play with her fingers.

She smiled shyly. "Well, I like this new you." She admitted, to which he raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And you didn't like who I was before?" He asked, his tone teasing as he intertwined their fingers together while her hand moved to stroke along the bottom edge of his scar. "No, I did. But I like you smiling and relaxed." She smirked, a teasing glint shining in her blue eyes. "Rather then broody and uptight."

Zuko let out a sound of protest. "I was not!" He denied to which she just laughed, before closing whatever distance was left between them and pressed her lips against his.

And this was one caress that did not stop there. Because when she tried to pull away, he followed her lips with his own, melding them together once more. And this time, to make sure she didn't pull back too quickly, he raised a hand to place at the back of her head. Orora had to tilt her head back slightly, eyes fluttering shut as she lost herself to the simple, yet somehow, exquisite pleasure of just kissing him.

Her arms moved to wrap around his shoulders. Zuko let out a sigh of contentment when the act had her pressing more firmly against him. He leaned further into her, pushing her back slightly, distracting her with his kisses until little by little, she was leaning back completely and was laying on the futon sofa with him hovering over her.

Their legs were still hanging over the side of the futon, but that didn't stop the new position from becoming more intimate. Breaking the kiss to allow them both to breath, though he didn't pull away, Zuko's eyes asked a question that needed no words. Understanding, Orora gave a small nod, despite the blush that blazed across her cheeks.

Pulling his hand out from behind her head, he placed it against the side of her face. His lips grazed hers, but only briefly. Slowly he began to trail them along the side of her jaw, placing sporadic kisses as he went. His eyes were closed, but he felt her reaction. Her breath hitched, and a shuddering gasp left her lips. But that wasn't what he was focused on. Zuko was more focused on just how soft her skin was, and how warm she felt against him. A raging fire seemed to burn within him, slowly growing with each kiss.

Something he hardly noticed.

His attention was on his Soulmate as he kissed along her forehead, moving down to her nose, skipping her lips in favor of pressing a kiss to her chin instead.

The first press of his lips against her skin had her gasping in surprise. She hadn't expected it to feel so warm. Not a very apt description, but then her brain was a little too overwhelmed with emotions she had never felt before, so coming up with proper vocabulary was out of the question.

Gentle and slow, two traits that were so unlike him, and yet, he found that they came so easily to him when it concerned Orora.

Her hands moved from his shoulders to the back of his head, and remembering the sound he had made in the alley, she let her nails run along his scalp. Once again, the reaction was instant. Though his sound of approval was followed by a particularly deep kiss.

And not on her lips.

Somehow, his mouth had slid down to the sensitive area just under her jaw and had continued to slide down until it reached that soft juncture of her throat. And that was where he kissed her, teeth gently sliding along her skin. The area proved a little too sensitive, prompting an entirely new wave of feelings to overcome her every sense.

Overwhelmed, but not wanting him to stop, she placed a hand on his cheek, urging him to shift upwards, where she lifted her head to meet his lips in one final kiss. "We should stop." She whispered against his lips, eyes opening reluctantly. Though she was glad she did. Her blue eyes fastened on Zuko's face hovering above her. Committing that image to memory, she watched as he gave a reluctant nod. Sensing his disappointment, she brushed his hair away from his forehead.

"Don't worry. We can pick up later." She winked, grinning at him. Smiling back, Zuko slowly sat up, pulling her along with him as he did, not letting go of her hand even after she was up.

Finishing the last of her tea, she glanced around at the still unpacked apartment. "Come on. Lets finish packing up. I'm sure Master wants us to move into the new apartment sooner then later."

"Oh yeah, he actually said we would be moving in today."

"And you're telling me now?!"

"Well yeah? I wanted to keep talking to you."

".........."

"And kissing you."

".........."

"What?"

"Just shut up, Zuko."

————————–

It didn't take long and between the both of them, they had everything packed and ready to go. It was mostly kitchen utensils, clothing and blankets. Iroh had told Orora they would be buying new furniture when they moved to the Upper Ring. Of course everything that was of sentimental value was packed up.

Within an hour, Iroh had returned, and glad to see Orora already up and about, he had declared they would be moving that very evening.

And so, the next morning, Orora opened her eyes to the sight an unfamiliar ceiling and an empty room. Yes, she had her own room. Granted it was small, but it was her own to do as she pleased.

Excited to begin the new day, she splashed water onto her face, having bathed the night before, and after making sure she was presentable, exited her room.

"Morning Master." She greeted, adjusting her comb so it would keep a few unruly strands of hair away from her face. "Good morning my Student. I hope you had a good nights sleep." He picked up a bowl to pour in the Jook he had been preparing. "Today is the grand opening of the Jasmine Dragon." Orora couldn't help but smile at how excited Iroh was.

"Of course I did and I'm certain it will be a huge success." She added, as she accepted the bowl and sat down at the table, her eyes content as she gazed out of the open window. The new apartments were far bigger then the ones they'd been living in. And though Orora would never complain, she preferred the apartment they had now. She had grown up as the daughter of a noble, so she was accustomed to certain luxuries. And while Zuko had voiced his disdain about the small size of the apartments in the Lower Ring, she had stayed quiet. She'd just been glad to have a roof over her head, and had taken note to point it out to Zuko every chance he had complained.

Footsteps sounded from behind her, prompting her to glance over her shoulder to see Zuko exiting his own room.

"What's that smell?" He asked. Iroh looked up from where he had been stirring the pot. "It's Jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." He added, knowing his nephew's preferences.

Zuko, however, walked up to the stove, bent down slightly and sniffed the steam that rose from the pot. "Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle." He said, holding up a bowl and smiling pleasantly.

Iroh frowned in confusion, though began to ladle the food into the bowl. "Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow." He said, handing Zuko back the now full bowl.

"It's a new day." The prince stated, moving to stand behind where Orora sat so he too could look out the window while he ate. "We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop." He smiled at the older man. "Things are looking up, Uncle."

Master and Pupil glanced at one another in surprise as Zuko began to eat from his bowl. Iroh only smiled before turning his attention back to the stove. Orora sipped from her bowl, smiling at the taste as she did. It was simple, but whatever Iroh had added to it elevated the flavors somehow.

Though that smile turned to a look of utter shock and surprise when she felt a pair of warm yet familiar lips press to her temple. Zuko had leaned down over her shoulder and stolen the kiss.

And though Iroh's back was turned, Orora couldn't help but stare at him, a little shocked at his bold move. Zuko's lips were pulled into a smug smirk. Her mind conjured up images of his face when he had been leaning over her just yesterday. It didn't help that all those feelings she had felt yesterday came rushing to the front. Her cheeks to reddened and her heart leaped in her chest at his gesture and the reminder of her promise to him.

Later, they would continue later.

Iroh turned at that moment, and caught the shift in her expression.

"Are you alright Orora? You look a little flushed." He observed, making a bowl for himself as well.

She straightened, turning to look at him. "I'm fine Master!" She all but squeaked, prompting Zuko to let out a small chuckle. Orora, cheeks still red, pursed her lips in annoyance and pushed her chair back purposefully, catching Zuko in the stomach as she did. The Prince groaned, clutching his stomach, while the girl smirked in satisfaction and finished off her breakfast. Iroh raised an eyebrow in question, though neither teenager answered his silent inquiry.

"I'm going to go get ready then." She said. With one final annoyed look at Zuko, one which he returned with a smirk, she walked off to her room.

————————–

The grand opening of the Jasmine Dragon was a success.

Several dignitaries came, including their sponsor, not to mention the crowd of loyal customers Iroh had attained since working in the Lower Ring. Of course they were the ones from the Upper Ring since Lower Ring citizens were not allowed in the Upper Ring. It had bothered Orora a little bit, but nothing could be done about it.

Instead, she focused on fetching tea, brewing tea, making sure cups and plates were clean. Then there were the confectioneries Iroh had ordered to serve at the opening. Her Master was busy speaking with future customers, so he had put her and Zuko in charge of making sure that everything went smoothly.

Wearing a new green floor length silk kimono in dark green with gold accents, Orora smiled and chatted politely with anyone who addressed her, taking orders and making sure every kind of tea was hot and freshly brewed. Zuko was in charge of the rest of the staff. The other servers, hosts and cleaners in the back. It was rather fascinating to see him take charge like that. He had only been introduced to them in the morning and yet he had taken charge as if he were made for this role.

Then again, he was a Prince. He was taught how to take charge his entire life. Maybe now he would take charge of his own destiny as well. Realizing that perhaps she was staring, Orora moved to look away, only to pause as his amber eyes caught hers.

Despite the din of the chatting patrons around them, for a moment, everything seemed to fade away. She raised a hand, waving at him almost shyly, which was ridiculous because when did she ever feel shy around Zuko?! Still, he smiled and waved back, feeling his heart jump in his chest at her smiling back at him.

She looked so pretty in the dress she wore, he thought to himself, as she turned her attention to the tea she was making. Maybe later, when things had calmed down, they could both sit together and talk like they always did.

Or kiss, his mind supplied, reminding him of their little encounter yesterday. He had no idea where his boldness had come from, but she seemed to like it. And, truthfully, he had liked kissing her. Every aspect of his being had been focused on her, and just her. Her mere presence had that effect on him, but kissing her had only increased it tenfold.

And not only that, but he wanted to kiss her again because he liked it.

Seeing color flicker at the end of his finger, he wasn't at all surprised to see his string flickering a soft blue hue.

It reminded him of something.

Something niggled at the back of his mind, something that had happened while he'd been sick.

Something that involved her.

Maybe a dream?

Or a dream within a dream.

He wasn't sure.

He couldn't remember.

Before he had time to contemplate any further, a server called out to him, looking more then a little lost. Loosing his train of thought, Zuko walked over to help, forgetting about what had just happened.

After a few hours, the excitement died down significantly. The huge crowd started to dissipate, and now there were only a few customers sitting, drinking tea and chatting. Iroh and Zuko both stood at the head of the room, with Iroh smiling proudly.

"Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd end up owning my own tea shop?" He said. "Follow your passion, Zuko." He advised his nephew. "And life will reward you."

Zuko smiled at him. "Congratulations, Uncle." Iroh nodded, closing his eyes briefly in satisfaction. "I am very thankful." He admitted.

"You deserve it." The young Prince continued in a warm tone. "The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city." His Uncle had worked so hard to make a good life for them, and now it was all paying off.

His Uncle shook his head. "No." He stated, turning to look at his nephew. "I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know." There were tears in his Uncle's eyes. Tear of happiness. Mirroring that joy, Zuko was not at all opposed to the loving embrace his Uncle pulled him in.

"Well now I'm feeling left out." The laughing voice of his Pupil chimed in a little behind them where she had just exited the small kitchen where she'd left some tea brewing. Iroh simply let out a hearty laugh, opening his arm in invitation. Orora, smiling joyfully, wasted no time in wrapping one arm around her Teacher and the other around her Soulmate, bringing them all together in a warm embrace. "I am honored to have you as my pupil, Orora. Thank you for filling our lives with such joy when we sorely needed it."

Zuko could see the utter joy in Orora's eyes when she heard his Uncle say those words to her. Coming from a family that had wanted to bend her to their will, having two complete strangers accept her was surely something she had never imagined. "And thank you for accepting me Master. It means the world to me."

Iroh smiled at her in return, the young girl he considered his own just as much as Zuko was.

His little family.

Pulling back from the embrace, the young firebender nodded in determination. "Now let's make these people some tea!" He said, already walking away.

Iroh nodded. "Yes, let's make some tea!" He stated joyfully, moving to man the several burning stoves alongside Orora.

————————–

The day was finally done, and the last of the customers had left. Iroh had just waved them off while Zuko sweeped the front steps of the shop. A tedious task, but he had seen Orora do so multiple times throughout the day, and had only followed her lead on it.

An approaching figure had him frowning in confusion as the man reached his Uncle and held out a scroll.

"A message from the Royal Palace." He stated in a dignified tone. Iroh glanced at Zuko in confusion, though he took the scroll. As he untied it, the Messenger was already walking away. Zuko watched as his Uncle read through what was written, a shocked expression overcoming his face as he did.

"I ... I can't believe it!" He gasped out loud.

A little worried, Zuko stepped forward. "What is it, Uncle?" He asked, barely having taken a step before his Uncle turned to him, smiling from ear to ear. "Great news!" He exclaimed, waving the letter in the air. "We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!"

Zuko stared at his Uncle in shock as well, before smiling at just how excited he was. Before he could even offer his congratulations, his Uncle had rushed off, probably to prepare for tomorrow.

Shaking his head, Zuko continued to sweep, almost missing the familiar steps as Orora approached him. "Whats got Master so excited? A new Pai Sho Tile?" She asked, laughter evident in her tone as she looked over her shoulder to where the older man was rummaging through cans of tea and such.

She was still looking at his Uncle, hands on her hips. Standing right next to him at the entrance, Zuko was, once again, given the chance to simply stop what he was doing at look at her.

After the long day, some of her hair had escaped her comb, but she was hardly bothered by it. Her clothes were a little rumpled, and she had removed her apron, but she looked just as beautiful as, really any other day.

Leaving the broom to lean against a corner, he reached out to gently take her hand in his. Orora glanced at their hands before looking up at him in confusion. She wasn't given any time to voice her thoughts though, since he tugged her outside the shop and behind one of the front doors where it was significantly darker.

But more importantly, where no one could see them.

"Zuko, wh-"

"You said we could pick it again up later." His smirk had her going weak in the knees as she stumbled back, her hand finding purchase on the wall behind her.

Zuko stepped forward, resting his forehead against her own, noses brushing, lips just barely apart, bodies grazing.

"Its later." He whispered.

Their eyes met and held. Her hand reached out to grasp his. Their fingers intertwined. Their breaths mingled.

Neither of them knew who was the first to lean forward, to initiate what could only be labeled as a heated kiss.

Whatever hesitance and shyness either of them had felt had gone out the window the moment their lips fused, meeting fervently, over and over, leaving them both light headed and panting for breath.

But it wasn't enough. It still wasn't enough.

She pulled him against her, wanting to feel him against her, though she miscalculated her own strength, leading to Zuko stumbling into her, their feet nearly tangling before her back found the wall, and they steadied one another. Neither of them were bothered by the slight stumble.

It didn't take long for Zuko to leave her lips and move to kiss her jaw, but she overtook him. So instead of Zuko kissing along her face like he had the day before, Orora began to brush her lips along his face.

She had to push herself up on her tiptoes to reach him properly, but she didn't mind. So long as he kept holding her like that, and allowed her to shower him with affection. And Zuko? He was adoring every moment of having her attention on him.

"You don't have to...." He muttered, pulling back briefly to gesture at his scar.

He had been a little nervous as her lips traced along his scar, but those feelings were quickly pushed to the side when her lips pressed against his scarred eyelid. "Your scar is only a reminder of your kind heart Zuko." She pressed a hand to his chest, feeling his heart beating rapidly just under her fingertips. "No matter how people might view it, or how you might view it, to me its the most beautiful part of who you are."

A hopeful smile brightened his features, as he brought his hands up to grasp her face and kissed her passionately, leaving her all the more breathless as he began to trace a path of kisses down her jaw to her neck.

This time when Orora trailed her fingers to his head, she didn't just stop with just a simple scrape her her nails against his scalp. Instead, she gripped the soft strands of his hair, and once Zuko's mouth pressed a kiss against that small sensitive area of her neck, she couldn't help but grip tighter.

Zuko let out a muffled growl against her throat, never letting up from his sweet ministrations. "If I pass out, its because I can barely breath." She whispered breathlessly, to which he smiled against her throat.

"Don't worry, I'll be more then happy to carry you back inside." He teased, to which she giggled, though the sound tapered off into a low moan as she felt his hot breath against her ear.

The sound of a throat being cleared rather loudly had their moment cutting short.

Both teenagers sprang apart, wearing mirror expressions of horror and embarrassment at the sight of Iroh standing there, hands on his hips. "If we are to meet the Earth King tomorrow, then I shall need both of you to help me." Though he tried to appear stern, neither of them could deny the laughter in his voice at having caught the them.

Orora blushed a bright red. "We'll be right there Master." Iroh simply humphed in reply. "See that you do." He stated sternly, though the twinkle in his eyes was a clear indication that he didn't really mean it.

He moved to step back inside the shop, but then stopped and peaked out briefly. "Though I am glad you two finally decided to let fate take it's course." With a wink that had Zuko groaning, and Orora hiding her face in her hands, Iroh walked off, chortling to himself.

"That was so embarrassing." Orora's muffled voice reached his ears. The mortification of being caught started to dissipate and he turned to pat her shoulder. "At least we have his blessing." Still more then a little humiliated, Orora punched his shoulder lightly. "I would've preferred he gave us his blessing over dinner, not while we were kissing like we were." She gestured between both of them, prompting Zuko to smirk at her words.

"And how exactly were we kissing?" If she were a firebender, Zuko was sure steam would be coming out of Orora's ears. For someone who adored physical acts of affection, she could get rather unsure and embarrassed about then when it began to get intense. Then again, he was just as unsure as she was.

This was a first for him, just as it was for her.

"Just shut up Zuko." She grumbled, stalking past him and back into the tea shop. He followed after her, coming to a sudden halt when she stopped just as the threshold. "Wait! What did Master mean, meeting the Earth King?"

Zuko shrugged. "Oh, yeah, we got an invitation to serve tea to him tomorrow."

"What?!" She screeched, rounding on him. "And you're telling me just now?!"

"Yeah?"

"Couldn't you have mentioned it before?"

"I was a little distracted by a certain waterbender."

"Argh! Zuko."

"A very pretty waterbender."

"Stop it!"

"Why? I thought girls liked this sort of thing?"

"Not out in the open like this!"

"Well I can always whisper in your ear."

He stepped forward, a teasing smile on his lips as leaned down towards her ear, almost as if he were about to whisper a secret.

And all he got for his trouble was a sudden bubble of water to the face, courtesy of a very flustered, but pleased looking, waterbender.

————————–

Tag List - @wavesofchaos @violet-potter @rennysketch @emma-andrea1 @lovesammikinzz @fuzzyfestcat @msrawog @notsaelty @lust-for-pan @aces-tattooartist @jinxxangel13 @lotr-got @bitterspoons @realrintaro @gatorgirl151 @inutheangel @heartfully10 @lucaaahhh @juniper-july19 @anuttellaa @gfksz @bussyvussy @punksnotdeadbutiam @ablofftoneverland-blog-blog @slut-for-menn @vyliie

#zuko imagine #zuko x reader #atla zuko #fire lord zuko #prince zuko #zuko x oc #prince zuko x oc #avatar the last airbender fanfiction #avatar: the last airbender #av #avatar the last airbender #ava #avatar #netflix avatar #iroh #the thread of fate

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cevansbaby-dove · 2 days

Text

Labor of love.

Pairing:Chris Evans X Ofc Ellie Evans.

Warnings:Freaking out Chris (yes he is a warning no joke!) Birth scene.

A/n: thank you to @hollybee8917 for the mood board!! Also a huge shout out to my bff for writing part of this for me, bff it was perfect thank you so much! @cutedisneygrl I love you!

Ellie was sipping on water as she cleaned up a bit. "Ellie what did I say?" She heard Chris say. "I'm ok cleaning right?" he walks over to her and says. "Come on sit down and take a break"

He takes her hand in his and leads her to the couch. "Chris why don't you go back to work?"

He smiles. "And let you get back to cleaning uh?" He asked raising an eyebrow. Ellie is now two days past her due date and Chris was keeping a very very Close eye on her.

"No I just want you not forget about your work" Chris kisses her head. "okay but i'll have Ava help you around ok?" Ellie nods. "okay okay" he walks to the stairs. "Ava Maxine Evans get your butt down here"

Ellie smirks. "take it easy Evans" he looks at her and is about to shoot her back something when Ava walks down. "What did I do this time?" She huffs in this oufit.

Ellie is in this outfit

Ellie smiles. "Your father is beyond worried about me darling you didn't do anything wrong"

Chris says. "What the fuck are you wearing?" She looks at her outfit. "it's just a skirt and shirt" Ellie rolls her eyes. "Chris behave" "No I will not stand for my daughter wearing this shitty slutty outfit! go change right now"

Ellie stands up. "Christopher that's enough!" Chris looks at her. "do you want her dressing like this? really Ellie!?" Ellie Crosses her arms tapping her foot. "She's old enough to wear whatever she wants" Chris rolls his eyes. "Fuck that!"

Ava says. “Mom did you just pee yourself?” Ellie looks at her feet and says “nope, I think your father just broke my water.”

She looks at Chris and says “Okay don’t freak out we are only sixteen minutes from the hospital.”

Ava says “I think us girls aren’t going to freak out but you sure will.” Ellie smiles. “nice one.” Chris rushes around. “Oh my gosh! Your…your…we need to go now!”

Ellie looks at Chris. “Chris calm down it will be okay. We aren’t far from the hospital remember.”

She says calmly. “I know but…” Ellie puts her hand on Chris’s shoulder. “Its going to be okay. We have been through this three times already.” “I know but…”

“I’m going to go grab the bag for the hospital. Call your mom so she knows what’s going on.”

Ellie heads to the bedroom and grabs the hospital bag that she already had ready and heads back to where everyone was.

Ellie says to Ivy. “I need you to look after your brother and sister okay?”

“Yes mom.”

“We will call you when we can.”

Ivy nods. Ellie looks over at Chris who is pacing back and forth while on the phone. “Ellie’s water just broke! We heading to hospital now!” he says anxiously.

“Okay. I will head that way. Calm down Chris. You got this. This your fourth child. You should be used to this by now.”

“I know but…I….she…” “Chris, breathe. It’s going to be okay. You need to be there for Ellie. She needs you.”

Chris takes a breath. “Yes your right. Okay I’m good. I will you soon.” Chris hangs up. Chris looks at Ellie. “Mom is meeting us there.”

Ellie nods. “Well you ready to go? You got the bag?” Ellie holds up the bag. “You got everything you need?”

Chris looks around. He grabs the keys on the end of the kitchen counter. “Umm yep. Lets go!”

Ellie looks back at Ava. “We will call you. I will have to stay in hospital at least one night. But…”

“Mom, I will be fine. I’ll call if I need you, but I will be fine.” “El lets go!”

Chris says anxiously Ellie looks back at Ava and then takes Chris’s hand and they head out to the car.

Chris helps Ellie in and then climbs into the driver side.

He quickly pulls out of the driveway. He has just pulled out when a contraction hits Ellie.

Chris looks over and takes her hand. Ellie squeezes it hard. Chris bites his lip a little because she squeezes it so hard. “It’s okay El we will be there soon. Just remember how to breathe and…” Ellie squeezes it again. “Shit! El!”

He starts driving faster and drives through a stop sign. He reaches the hospital and quickly parks the car and then runs around and gets Ellie out and walks with her into the hospital and up to the desk.

“My wife is in labor! We need the doctor!”

The receptionist is really nice and speaks calmly to Chris. “Okay sure we will be right with you. Just remain calm."

After a few minutes Ellie is taken to room and hooked up to a monitor to monitor her contractions.

After about an hour they get to 3 minutes apart and she gets moved to the delivery room.

Chris is holding Ellie’s hand as the doctor walks into the room and gets ready.

She smiles at Ellie and sits down in front of her. “Okay Ellie are you ready?”

Ellie nods her head. “When I tell you to push I need to push for me okay?” Ellie nods her head again. The doctor leans down in front of her and gets ready. “Okay Ellie push for me.”

Ellie starts to push and screams as she does and squeezes Chris’s hand hard. Chris ignores the pain and talks Ellie through it. “You got this El.”

“Keep pushing Ellie, your getting there.” The doctor says. Ellie pushes again and screams again “Ahhhhh!” and squeezes Chris’s hand harder “Shit! El!”

“I see the head, give me two more big pushes.” The doctor says. Ellie pushes again hard and screams again.

Chris looks over and see the baby coming. “I see her! I see our daughter!”

The doctor looks at Chris. “Would you like to cut the cord?” Chris nods and cuts the cord and smiles.

The doctor then holds her in her arms and washes her off and wraps her in a blanket then hands her to Ellie.

“Here is your daughter. Congratulations.” Chris looks down at Ellie and smiles.

A few hours later Lisa brings Ivy, Ava and Matty over. Ellie is watching the newborn sleep on chris's chest who is also sound asleep.

Ellie turns and says softly. "Hey" Ivy sit by Ellie. "did dad lose a hand?" Ellie laughs. "I think I broke his pointer finger." Ava smiles. "What's her name mom?"

"Chrissy...wake up" Ellie says looking at him. He slowly opens his eyes and looks at his newborn sleeping on him. "i'm up you ok?"

Ellie nods. "I'm fine, how's the finger?" Chris chuckles. "just dandy" Ivy and Ava giggle. "so the girls were asking about a name"

he sits up slowly. "You can tell them if you'd like" Ellie smiles. "okay okay" Lisa sits next to Chris on the sofa and says. "She has your hair color chris'

Ellie smiles. "Her name is Christina Grace Evans" Lisa smiles. "Oh that is a wonderful name" Scott and Steve walk in and Scott says. "What about my middle name?

Chris and Ellie say at the same time. "No!" Scott walks over to Chris and says. "oh my God she's cute!!"

Lisa smiles. "well we wanted to just pop in and see how you guys are" Ellie smiles. "thank you Lisa" Mathew says. "I like her already mom" Ellie laughs. "glad to hear it"

"All though I wish I had a brother, way to much girly stuff in the house as is" Chris laughs and says. "goodness your picky"

matthew says. "Next one better be a boy" Ellie says. "Oh god no thanks no more kids for a longggg time worst pain in my whole life" Chris flashes her a smile.

After everyone leaves, Chris says. "Were you serious about no more kids? like...for good?" Ellie looks at him. "Not for good but a while like ten years..."

He nods. "right" Ellie looks at his hand that has a band-aid on it. 'How's the finger?" he looks at it. "Oh it's broke for sure but it'll heal' Ellie laughs. "Good to hear"

Ellie and Chris stay at the hospital for a few days then head back home to the rest of their family with Christina in tow.

All though Ellie did break chris's finger during labor she is grateful for him being right by her side.

Tags:@nicoline1998enilocin @armystay89 @patzammit @angelbabyyy99

#chris evans x reader #chris evans x female reader #Chris Evans RPF #chris evans characters #chris evans cute #chris evans drabble #chris evans fluff #chris evans imagine #chris evans imagines #chris evans married #chris evans one shot #chris evans x ofc #chris evans x pregnant!reader

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