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#villainous dictators!au
aimasup · 9 months
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Dictators!AU is back as a short bit of audio involving Ranboo and Aimsey but it's used for truth or dare in a cartoon au
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magicalgrimm · 1 year
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Drew some fanart of some villanous aus
Dictator and valiant au’s are by @aimasup
Prison Flug is from @zomibom
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musicb33nsstuff · 1 year
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I have a new AU obsession 😀
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Meet Experiment WK 2.5.1
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She is another version of Magnolia in the Villainous Dictator au and everyone switched places!
This Dictator switch au was created @aimasup, please check their page out and like their art posts cause their good!
I have no idea what the creator of the original au’s name is if anyone knows please comment on it
Tbh it's fun making her expressions even if she can't move her mouth lol
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oceanera12 · 1 year
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So, a few, random personality traits for these boys.
Shadow
Will not put up with your nonsense, determined to fight to restore his old world (because that was his promise and he's going to fulfil it if it kills him), will beat up anyone that stands in his way, stands on some morally gray morals and virtues, and does not trust easily.
He only says what needs to be said, doesn't really want any friends, but sees the value in having allies (especially when it comes to skills he himself may not know/have such as building a dimension-jumping spaceship).
Nine
Will not put up with your nonsense, wants to be left alone to work and build what he wants and will do anything to ensure that (and I mean ANYTHING), quick to anger, slow to forgive, and if Shadow is morally gray, then Nine is dark gray. He does not trust easily and will attack and eliminate anything he views as a threat to his goals or life.
Basically, he's as messed up as you think he is, and if you push him just a bit too much in any direction, he will have his villain arc and no one will stop him.
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villetteulogy · 4 months
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There's no rule that says Coriolanus Snow can't be a romantic and a gentleman to his girlfriend while at the same time as being an evil dictator villian with the blood of millions of teens and children on his hands. He can be both. It makes him more intriguing that he can be both. That he has empathy for a certain number of people, but can't spare more than that(I headcanon that he was a good grandfather to his grandchildren)
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PREACH!
If things had gone slightly different in canon, I’m convinced Snow would’ve had a loving marriage while still becoming the villain we know in THG. After all, his decision to forsake romantic love after the events of TBOSAS is in itself a testament to the depth of his feelings for Lucy Gray.
Love doesn’t equal redemption or goodness, and the fact that he’s a fundamentally selfish person in a position of power doesn’t mean Snow isn’t also capable of human emotions and attachment. Especially when the prequel makes the opposite argument. I agree with you that in canon he seemed like a loving grandfather even as he reached unheard of levels of cruelty as President.
His innate possessiveness would on the contrary make him a very doting and protective husband (to the right woman, sorry Livia). Whether the relationship would have stood the test of time (and of his thirst for power) is another matter entirely. Most AUs where Coryo and Lucy Gray go back to the Capitol and he goes into government have her betraying him in the end, and I also think that would the most likely outcome. Theirs is a monstrous love, etc etc
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hiraya-rawr · 1 year
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— dark alhaitham au .
based on this post.
the reason why hoyoverse made alhaitham a simple man was because if he were the slighest bit ambitious with darker intentions, then sumeru would have fallen into his hands long ago
whether or not he's the grand sage, he'd be the manipulative character pulling all the strings
if he could create multiple strategies for a tiny team to rescue a god from the government— THEN HE CAN COUNTER THAT in the reverse situation
imagine sumeru arc just dropped, and alhaitham is the villain in the trailer
him with a dark green background? glowy eyes?? DEEP VOICE INTRO something about watching the world burn???
curiosity knows no bounds. he does things to entertain his thirst for knowledge because as a smart man, everything has become so so boring.
meeting with him in port ormos still applies but he's a little more cruel in his negotiations.
remember that fight with cyno in the desert? where cyno makes you doubt alhaitham's intentions?
yeah, you realize he isn't just part of the akademiya— he is the akademiya. it's a battle between the general mahamatra and someone who's technically his ex-boss.
he has the army at his disposal, he wouldn't hesitate to use the people of sumeru themselves against you
climactic scene where you scream at him, asking him why he's doing all this and he answers "It's simply interesting. Wouldn't you want to know if humans could create gods?"
alhaitham finding out all about you losing your sibling to an unknown god, finding ways to convince you to be on his side; "If you could have the power of gods at your disposal, wouldn't that speed up your journey more? Aren't you exhausted running around as everyone's errand boy/girl?"
after all, alhaitham isn't exactly a bad ruler. he's quite good at it— much of the public leans to his side, he knows better than to be a cruel dictator yet he wields his authority without fear of consequences. he even let's nilou's theater do whatever they want!
I feel like alhaitham would figure out how to reverse public opinion against you.
REMEMBER HIS STELLAR ACTING IN THAT SCENE WITH THE GRAND SAGE? yes!! THAT!
A public display of his acting. Everyone witnessing (and misunderstanding) as you argue with him and just so happen to "intentionally hurt" him. that's attempted murder against their grand scribe.
Or maybe he pleads with you. He knows you're a powerful force on your own, so he switches the cards and tries to ask you to spare sumeru's people.
all of a sudden, you're the bad guy out to destroy sumeru's peace.
kofi / gen.mlist
all of a sudden, you're the bad guy trying to destroy sumeru's peace.
which is why it comes as a surprise when you try to encourage everyone to go against the akademiya. you explain that he's trapping lessor lord kusanali, or that he's collaborating with the fatui, but they simply tell you "hmm. . . if it's grand sage alhaitham, perhaps he knows what he's doing?
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thekatebridgerton · 3 months
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So you guys know the trope where the hero turned into a villain because he wanted to resurrect his dead wife?. I just love the idea of the villain actually succeeding because then he'd have a lot to explain to said wife. And it got me thinking about this but in a Bridgerton context
So here's my fantasy Villain Au,:
Because I think the #1 male lead who would burn the world to bring back his dead wife would be Anthony, in a fantasy setting this guy was a Viscount with magic in his bloodline whose beloved Kate, died in a tragic carriage accident, before he could apologize for ignoring her during their first month of marriage. So yes, he 100% turns to the powers of darkness and goes full evil conqueror path to necromancy to bring his Kate back. Which is the start of his fantasy villain arc.
His brothers also start out as heroes, but Anthony, in true fantasy villain fashion goes after their most beloved ladies and kills them so Benedict and Colin 'can see things his way' and have a bigger incentive to help him achieve dominion over the darkest of magics and revive the dead. Colin was the easiest really, his idiot brother thought he could stop Anthony with some magic spell book and some foreign wizardy learned in his travels but all it took to drive Colin over the edge was dangling little Penelope Featherington Infront of him and cruely letting death take her away before Colin could confess his love to his dear Lady Whistledown. All Anthony had to do was give Penelope push and his would be sister in law misscast a deadly spell from her own spell book. And Colin was convinced that Anthony's way into the dark arts of bringing back the dead was the way to go.
Sophie was perhaps the easiest person in the world to dupe. A maid with a heart of gold, so easily convinced to help Anthony find his beloved Kate.. in the underworld. That she never understood why Benedict seemed to be going on so many quests trying to stop his brother. Really Anthony quite liked Sophie, she would rather die than accept Benedict's offer to be his mistress and adding to that the fact that his seemingly worst enemy happened to be his elder brother, tragically misunderstood for trying to use magic to revive his true love. (Give or take a few subjugated kingdoms and a lot of war over some sacred magical artifacts he absolutely needed) Made Sophie very keen on volunteering for a little trip into the underworld. And Benedict very keen on bringing her back.
Hyacinth and Gregory were children easily led by their only father figure, and their wise mother only needed a nice tower where she could remain imprisoned. because really Anthony never worried about his sisters, the death of John guatanteed that Francesca would be on his side from the start. Daphne loved her children too much to oppose him and Eloise who was the only one strong enough to stop him, was persuaded to join him with in the same blow that took out Colin (Penelope, dear Penelope, what a nice friend for his Kate to have in Anthony's new world order).
The fun begins when the villain succeeds and Viscountess Kate Bridgerton is resurrected, along with fellow friends Penelope and Sophie. Only to find the world in darkness and her once kind and responsible husband as it's new evil dictator.
Because Kate is still very surprised at the fact that Anthony conquered all the magic nations and plunged the world into the new dark age of magic, apparently all because loved her. Last time she saw him, he was running away from his feelings and leaving her alone in the marital bedchamber without so much as an explanation. But sure, her heroic, family first, by the letter husband loves her enough to plunge the world into a dark age, sounds fake but okay.
Then there's poor Penelope and Sophie who never even got to see a love declaration from Colin and Benedict. As far as Penelope was concerned Colin joining the evil brother he was trying to defeat just because she died didn't make much sense. Let alone becoming one of Anthony's main force of terror. Someone has got to explain, how exactly kissing Colin once and not accepting his horny marriage proposal in a carriage before she died...led to this
Sophie, well she's just mad that she was pulled from the fantasy world version of heaven. (Valhalla? Elysium?) All because Benedict couldn't accept that she didn't want to be his mistress, and would rather leave the whole Buisness of the masquerade behind. She was happy in the place where good souls go. How was she supposed to know her death made Benedict into the worst version of himself? He went from charming masquerade ball gentleman, to kinda rude hero, to... A bit Unhinged and obsessed with her, dark magic supporter. Sophie really has no idea how trusting the bad guy once and helping him get his wife, could have gone so terribly wrong for her.
This au has been in my mind for a while for the potential drama and hilarity. I don't think about high fantasy Bridgerton scenarios often. But when I do, you know they're fun. Tagging @sea-owl and @bellascarousel because I need your thoughts on this
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lifeform286 · 5 months
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Hard Love.
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CWS: Canon au, Talks of Dabi and the league, Dabi/Spinner, Shiga/Dabi, main goal, sex addict, drinking, faking, PTSD, panic attacks, two dicks, sub space, dom/sub themes, top Shigaraki, bottom Dabi, spanking, gore, blood, dirty talk, degradation, anal fingering, forced overstimulation, cummings a lot, blowjob, brat Dabi, brat tamer Shigaraki, death kink, pain kink, scars, cuming untouched, hand kink, I think I tagged everything forgive me if I haven't.
This story is for 18+, If you enjoy and want to fallow me age must be in bio and if not, I will block as soon as I see it
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Being in a relationship is hard enough when you are just a regular average human being. When you are both villains in a world filled with heroes. Things can get messy, and fast. Then top off the cake of crazy with one large fat fucking cherry. It is the emotional trauma that comes with being the victim. Dabi was indeed a victim and the victim of a hero no less. 
Growing up in a house that was dictated by a man that ran off his own hate. Was, pure hell and it left him a broken shell of a man that didn’t know what his feeling were. He went for many years only feeling malice and his own pain. Hating anyone that stepped too close. That was until he joined the LOV, they slowly became somewhat like a family. Even if it didn’t start out that way.  
Matter-of-fact Dabi hated almost everyone. Most of all Shigaraki, Dabi isn't sure if it is the child like fits or the way he stared at him all the time. It didn’t bother him; He would be fine and just needed to keep his anger in check. He really didn't want to be on the other end of those deadly hands. Or did he? 
Dabi didn’t want to think too hard on things. He was already so close to his goal and if he slipped just once, the whole carefully placed stack would fall. Ending things fair too soon and he couldn’t afford that. Not when he had worked so hard to be where he was today. 
So, he keeps to himself and his eyes on the finish line straight to his death. Being a part of the league was just temporary and feelings happen, and he could get over them when the time comes. That was the plain, before they kidnapped some blonde brat and ended up having to go into fucking hiding.  
The two-room place was small and cramped. Since only Toga could go out, he was forced to get along with everyone and was forced to deal with feelings. When he just wanted to be left alone. It was hard enough keeping up his fake role as the perfect villain. His body was already betraying him and brought out his old urges. Since being almost locked up, his options to starch these itches are very limited. Just needed to decide and fast or things would get hot and not in a good way. 
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He wasn’t picky when it came to people he’d fuck, or so he thought. Until he tried to go about thinking who he wanted to sleep with and the longer he thought the pickier he became.  
Toga was out of the question with being a child and all. Then there was Mr. Compress, he was in the running for sure. However, Dabi couldn’t see the man being into anything but soft vanilla shit. Most likely wouldn’t be up to Dabi’s speed of things. 
Mange quickly jumped off the list. Her height, it was way too close to his fathers for his liking and his daddy issues aren't those kinds. Teice was sweet, his looks weren't too bad if he would keep that mask off long enough and he doubts that would happen. Then there was the double way of speaking, would become frustrating and most likely piss him off. 
That leaves him with Spinner and Shigaraki. Spinner was cute, in a weird way and he had two cocks. This more than interested him. All he had to do was get him alone. Witch was rather easy, just had to get him drunk and start something up at Stain. He is pretty sure that Stain was his gay awaking.  
Now it was time to make his move, getting him willing was even easier than getting him outside. His cocks were just what he thought and then some. But he didn’t consider that he was very much a virgin and ended up spilling 10 minutes in. He was frustrated and to top it off. He was fucking pissed. That night he didn’t sleep, to many thoughts of Dealing with his so-called boss and how he was going to go about getting him into bed. 
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The lack of sleep was more than enough to make him start drinking earlier than normal. He hopes Shigaraki is into drunk sex. When he tried the first time, Shigaraki yelled at him and sent him outside to cool off or something. Dabi thought that he had blown his chances and would need to maybe sneak out. 
That was till everyone left. This was enough to make every hair on his body raise. There is no reason that Dabi could think of to why Shigaraki would risk everyone getting caught. He raises an eyebrow when his mind goes wild, he lets out a relived sigh and pushes open the door. Shigaraki clears his throat when the door flipped open. Dabi looked over at Shigaraki sitting on the beat-up sofa. Teal eyes lock with red for just a moment before Dabi walks across the room to grab his jacket and mask.  
“Sit.” Shigaraki orders as he leans forward to rest his arms on his knees. “Going out. Can’t.” Dabi says in a cold voice and slips on his coat. 
“I gave you an order.” Shigaraki says in a displeased voice. Dabi rolls his eyes and starts to walk to the door without saying anything. A hand grips his arm tightly, pulling him down over the back of the sofa, with his ass still over the back and his face down into the sofa seating.  
“Fucking!....” He yells before getting cut off when one of Shigaraki’s gloved hands smacks his ass, making him freeze in place and bite his lips to hold back a moan. The hand stayed in place for a few moments, then moves slowly down his ass and in between his thighs. 
“I said sit down and of cores you had to do it the hard way.” Dabi shacks his head as he pushes up off the sofa. Clearly in a battle with his inner horny and realizing that Shigaraki was a threat to his life.  
The hand in between his legs moves up to his rapidly growing member, griping him hard and sliding him down into the sofa. Dabi lets out a moan when the hand on his cock, starts to grope him through his pants. His voice then comes out shacky as he grips onto his wrist. “Hey, what the fuck!?” 
Shigaraki looks at him with a questioning look. “Isn't this what you wanted?”  
The hand on his groin left and now was being placed on the back of his neck. He let out a grunt when he was pulled forward into Shigaraki’s lap. “You tried to fuck Spinner of all people. When I know what you need.” Shigaraki states with anger. 
Dabi’s hands start to heat up when panic kicks in, as he scrambles to get up, he is pushed down repeatedly and forced to stay in place. “I was going to. Then everyone went out. Though it would be easier to just go out and fuck some rando.” 
The hand on his head presses his face down into the rough fabric of the coach. “To try and find someone else!?” Shigaraki snaps out and he pulls down the back of Dabi’s pants.  
Dabi’s eyes go wide when Shigaraki smacks his ass hard enough to leave a blooming red handprint on the unburned skin there. He bites his lower lip for a moment, and once he gained his composure, he speaks with a sarcastic teasing tone; “What? You jealous?” 
He isn't sure why he is trying to make Shigaraki worse off. He was probably going to end up regrating even thinking of doing this. 
His smart-ass replay earned him another hard smack. Dabi grits his teeth as he speaks and his hands grip the cushion under him; “Yep, hit the nail on the head.”  
The hand on his head grips tightly and lifts him up by his hair, just to slam him back down onto the sofa. “Shut up bitch!” Shigaraki growls out as the leg under his hips lifts to rest on the small table in front of the sofa. Forcing his butt further into the air and making it harder for him to move his hips. His hands heated up more, burning fabric filled the air, and his cock gave an interested jump at the harsh words. 
Shigaraki chuckles out evilly; “I would try and calm down if I were you, pet.” Shigaraki moves his hand up and down his backside as he pauses. “Or do I need to remind you what happens when I fully touch something, Hmm?”  
Dabi wiggles under his grip, when he feels Shigaraki rip his glove off with his mouth, when he doesn’t get a reply and when his fingers touch his skin. He rubs them slowly up and down the curves of his ass.   
“You wouldn’t?”  He truly didn’t know what had gotten into him, but how pathetic he sounded. He was losing it and much faster than usual. 
Fingers rub up his spine, pushing up the back of his shirt as they feel every dip of his spin his speaks soft and yet dark at the same time. “Are you going to start acting like the good whore we both know that you are?” 
Goose flesh rose to his skin, he lets out a chocked moan when Shigaraki rubs the seams of his burns along his back and sides. “Hmm, so you like being my little whore. Don’t you?” 
Once his throat cleared, Dabi snaped at him; “I’m not a fucking whore!?” Dabi takes a dep breath calming himself, He spits back with as much venom as he could; “Even if I was, I wouldn’t be your whore.” 
A finger digs in between his burns, the pain makes him moan and dots flutter in his vision. Shigaraki wiggles his finger in the wound making it bleed. “Don’t try and fool me. Everyone knows how you get your money.” 
Dabi tries to hold in his quirk as his body heats up with both anger and arousal.  
“How, did you know?” He says in between pants and whimpers as the pain took over him. It was so much and still not enough. 
“I know everything you do, Patchwork. You are an important part of the league. I the boss, can’t have you fucking things up for me.” Shigaraki says in a calm voice as he removes his fingers from Dabi’s back. “I can’t have you doing anything that could fuck everything up. Now, could we?” 
Another moan leaves his parted lips when a hand slaps his ass again. Shigaraki making sure to keep a finger up to not dust him. 
Dabi’s cock jumps with excitement, body shivering as he tries to get his next words out. His voice came out shacking; “Fuck off! I can do what I want, you don’t fucking own me.” 
A loud smacks echos throw the room, followed by Shigaraki’s demanding tone; “Oh, believe me. If I owned you, things would be very different. For one you wouldn’t have such a bad attitude.” Shigaraki states when he strips Dabi’s ass a few more times with his hand.  
With a hard bite to his lower lip, Dabi gets ahold of himself and snaps back again. “You couldn’t handle owning me. So just fuck off!” 
A dark chuckle sends heat pooling in his lower belly and his head shooting off into a clouded fog. 
Shigaraki pushes him down by the back of his head as his hand strips Dabi’s butt a few more times. Once Dabi gives into his desires and lets his hips grind as much as he can into Shigaraki’s leg.  
He could hear the smirk in Shigaraki’s tone, “Oh, really?”  
Shigaraki then moves his leg away from Dabi’s engorged member. His voice laces with lust as he pulls the back of Dabi’s hair. “From the feel of it. I think I'm doing a good job with owning such a disobedient slut.” 
“Just shut up and hurry on with it.” Dabi says in a muffled way, when his face is shoved back into the sofa. Shigaraki slips his hand off his cheeks, his tone comes out in a command; “I’m in control. Now, be good and say it for me whore.” 
Every time he has begged before, he didn’t mean it and this time feels different. The mix of the teasing and his already rapped rising horniness was getting to him. With a steady breath, Dabi lets himself slip into his role of desire. 
Dabi musters up what will he had left and speaks in a soft rasp. “Please, Fuck me.”  
“Oh, so now you are begging. Hmmm,” a finger then digs into the burn along his left hip, and he leans down to whisper into his ear. “But that isn't what I wanted you to say.” 
The finger wiggles under two of the staples and pops them free. Blood drips down his thigh and into his pants wrapped around his knees. Words come out in between heavy breathing; “Fine, you are in control.” 
Shigaraki quickly removes his hand from in-between his scar, it moves softly up his hip bone and then leaves his skin all together. “Thats it, good boy. What else?” 
With another smack to his cheeks, Dabi moans out his next words. “Fuck it! I’m your whore.”  
With a pleased grunt, Shigaraki lifts his hand to his own mouth, sucking on two of his fingers, making sure they are nice and wet.  
“Thats a good little slut.” He says as he slips those fingers out of his mouth. Those now wet fingers slip in between Dabi’s ass cheeks; “I think I will give you a little prize for being so good and listening.”  
The sting from his ass and the soft press of Shigaraki’s fingers makes his body shake with pleasure. His breath quickens, when Shigaraki lets goes of his head and forces those long fingers into his eager hole. Dabi arches down into the sofa, his eyes roll back, when his walls clamp down around those long fingers and he bites down on his hand as he tries to hold in his moans of pleasure. 
The harder he bites, the more the staples on the side of his mouth rip and thick drops of blood drip down his chin. Dabi lets out another moan when some of his blood gets into his mouth. Only adding to his bliss, he tries to grind his hips into Shigaraki, tiring to get any friction he could get and yet he was denied again.  
Shigaraki gives him a cruel chuckle, his other hand not working on his ass, moves up and hooks into the corner of his mouth. Dabi’s tongue falls out of his mouth as he is lifted off the sofa. “Let's give you something to keep this pretty mouth busy.” 
With these words Shigaraki puts his leg down, this action makes it easier for him to move Dabi’s face into his lap. His fingers still working at his ass and the other hooked in his cheek.  
“Get to fucking work.” Shigaraki says harshly. Dabi nods slowly, grunting when another staple pops out of his flesh and his hand fumbles with Shigaraki’s pants. His cock flops out and smacks his face, Shigaraki chuckles, pulls his mouth more, and humming when blood smears onto his shaft.  
Dabi sticks his tongue out further, lowering down onto his shaft and lets out a moan when the taste of salty pre cum mixes with the blood in his mouth. Shigaraki pulls his hand free from the side of his mouth, then grabs his hair, nice and hard. 
Dabi didn’t have time to brace himself when his head was shoved down all the way to base and he gages slightly as course hair tickles his nose. Shigaraki helps him move up and down his throbbing shaft. “Hmmm, yeah. Just like that.”  
The hand on his head loosens its grip when Dabi started moving on his own. He was so into his role he forgot the fingers in his ass, that was until they crook and rub right into his good spot.  
He jerks up his head, only to be pushed back down. “Shh, just stay still and breath through your nose.” 
The hand on his head holds him down as Shigaraki keeps rubbing his insides slowly. Dabi moans around the cock in his mouth, eyes rolling back in his head when his first orgasm hits him, his body shacks with pleasure and spilling thick white cum into his pants. He tried to pull away but lost to the dizzy feeling from the dick in his mouth and it was hard enough trying to hold back from not freaking out. Not ready to see how pissed Shigaraki would get over him burning down their hideout. At least not yet anyways, He isn't sure he will make it out alive this time yet. All he knew was it felt good, maybe even the best sex he has had. 
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Dabi lets out a pitiful moan, when his head was forced up off Shigaraki. His glazed eyes clouded with blood like tears, drips down his cheeks and mixed with the drool falling out his opened mouth. Dabi’s body shivered when Shigaraki rubbed his fingers over the popped-out staples on his cheeks. He is sure how long it has been; he had blanked around the 4th time coming. Shigaraki holding him just enough above water for him to make it a 5th time.  
A gurgled moan left his lips, when his vision started spotting and turning white. Getting shocked out of it by a firm tug on his hair and a hard slap to the ass. Shigaraki rubs his ass a few times, before his hand rubs softly down his upper thigh. His back stiffens, as four fingers dig into the numb flesh of the scar there, they rack up his flesh, popping all the staples away as his good skin is pulled away from the dead. Dabi gives a shacky moan, when his mouth clamped shut when the warm blood blooms from under his burns and trickles down into his boxers.  
“There you are patchwork.” Shigaraki says in a soft rasp, he moves his hands down his sides to his front, as he helps move and strip him of his pants. Now facing away from Shigaraki and his feet on either side of Shigaraki’s legs. 
“MMmhu, please, no more. I can’t move.” he says in a pathetic whimper, blushing at the thought of how embarrassing it was to blush at something he has done many times before.  
Shigaraki lightly rubs two fingers along his spine; “Don't be like that, Dabi. I know you can do it.” His tone was demanding, his hands grip one of his legs and helps hold him up slightly. The other grips his own cock, he strokes it a few times as he clears his throat and the fingers on his hip move in a un each patter. Dabi lowers his head, grips onto the back of the sofa to steady himself. With a low whimper, he lowers himself down, back arching when the head slips into his abused walls. His body stiffens halfway though, making his legs give out under him, and forces him to take all of Shigaraki when he wasn’t ready. 
Shigaraki stops moving his fingers; “I didn’t say you could stop, patchwork.” He says with an unpleased grunt. 
Dabi panted heavily as he tried to calm down when he smelled burning fabric. The pain of fingers sticking into the seam along his hip, jolting him out of his panic and sends him right back into numb void. His head flings back, his eyes roll back into his head when his cock hardened from the sensation. The fingers wiggle under the skin and keep Dabi’s mind clean enough to help him push past the weakness of his body. Shigaraki giggles when he lets out pathetic grunts, while he moves his knees up and down, fucking himself of Shigaraki’s thick shaft. 
Shigaraki lets two of his fingers rub up Dabi’s side; “Who knew you could listen so well. Keep it up just like that and Maybe I will give you a treat.” 
“Yes, Boss.” He says in a pleading tone, Dabi was no longer here, his body now on audio pilot and he was nothing more than southings for Shigaraki to use as he sees fit.  
He let go of the sofa, when his legs were lifted into the air, making him fall onto the other man’s frame. Moans echo through the room when Shigaraki starts thrusting at a deep pace. His body goes rigged, takes a long breath the second Shigaraki’s grip tightens and cuts off his breath.  
“Hmmm, feels like the slut likes when I chock him.” Shigaraki says lustfully, his hips never slowing their pace, only drives both of them to their breaking points. Dabi’s mouth drops open, his whole body buzzing with pain and pleasure. The cock inside him, rubs just the right way, sending him furth into the fog of bliss.  
Every time Shigaki would thrust his hips into his ass, heavy balls smacked into his cock that bobbed uselessly between is spread leg. He grabs the other, holding it up with his shacking arm, he lets out a breathless moan as Shigaraki’s cock dives deeper into his velvet walls. He could feel himself pulse around his shaft, the harder Shigaraki pounds into his body and carve his shape into his hole.  
“Fuck, you're so tight. Feels better than what I thought.” Shigaraki says as he nuzzles the crook of his shoulder and makes his shirt slip off his shoulder. The feeling of chapped lips kissing over each staple along his back and shoulder. This softness sent shivers over his body and warmth though his body. He lets out a raspy sob, due to his cock throbbing and his vision blinking in and out as his breath is not given back yet.  
Shigaraki’s voice was labored, he speaks in between each huff; “Thats it, sweetheart. Cum for me.” Dabi’s cock weakly twitches in between his legs, his walls paused around the cock inside, Shigaraki growls and his hips falter. Pleasure took over him, already held back for this long and the flood gates were close. He forgets about Dabi twitching from fair too much stimulation to his overused body. 
His hand grips and un grips around Dabi’s throat. Tring anything that would keep the walls pulsing around him. His hips slowly start to shake once he licks Dabi’s skin. Dabi whimpers and his body becomes weak. Shigaraki bites down onto burned skin, humming in pleasure as blood filled his mouth, his member throbbed with every thick rope of cum he spills inside those velvet walls. 
He smirks at Dabi shacks a few times before he is out cold. Shigaraki kisses his neck a few times before he slips himself out and lays Dabi down onto the sofa. 
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The warm feeling of someone hugging him, the soft cresses of cool hands rubbing his overheated flesh and the sounds of pleased humming was enough to push him the rest of the way out of whatever daze he was put into. He pulls away, stiffening, when white curls danced across his vision and the hands around his waist tightened.  
Shigaraki yawns, sitting up slowly, a hand comes up to brush a few stray hairs out of his eyes as he speaks in a calm tone; “You, ok? I didn’t go to hard, did I?” 
The buzz of panic sets in, as the hand now on his cheek, starts to move in slow patters when Shigaraki keeps talking. He couldn’t clear his mind to really pay action on the words, he gulps and looks over the other man’s face. Dabi almost let out a whimper at the worried look that took over once happy soft features.  
The longer he looked over Shigaraki and his surroundings. His body filled with heat, brain fogging over once again at the thought of Shigaraki moving him and setting up the pullout from the sofa. He was either so out of it or Shigaraki moved him with so much care that he didn’t even notice.  
With a valent shake of his head, Dabi gets the will to move his head, he looks down at his clean and dressed body. The once fuzzy feeling turns to dread, and he does what he has become so good at or so he tried too anyways. 
Shigaraki keeps him still, pulling him back down onto the worn-out mattress. “You need to rest. if you need to smoke? you can do it inside.” 
 He wasn’t sure if he wanted to really smoke. His brain was too frantic from the shift in Shigaraki’s mood and everything he just woke up to was starting to get to him. Dabi’s body moves on its own, rolling over away from Shigaraki, and he tucks his knees up. Making himself look way too small for how tall he is. 
Shigaraki looks at him as his mood switches, He doesn't lay down, only watches him as he tries to keep his body temperature at a normal level. Dabi slightly jolts and turns his head around when the bed dips the second Shigaraki got up of the mattress. He watches him open the door; he speaks softly; “Rest up. I will need you to be at full health for our next move.” 
Dabi watches him leave, he wanted to be alone, so why did his heart hurt when the door closed behind Shigaraki and cut off his view of him. With a heavy heart and a fuzzy head. Dabi grabs his coat, flings it over himself and curls back up. No since in over thinking, he closed his eyes and forced himself to shut off the screaming in his overactive mind. 
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Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed it. If you did please read over my pin post and also the warning of this post. <3 <3 <3
Dividers by: @cafekitsune
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yonemurishiroku · 5 months
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(tags via @smartichokes) In light of new addition to my Luke & Nico replacement post, I have so much to say about this.
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Firstly, there is a fanfic in which Kronos switched to Nico as his host halfway through the series. I said fic, Nico went to Tartarus wayyyyy sooner than he should (which is sometime right after TTC I think?), and got captured by Kronos' force. The Titan considered seizing him, so Luke left the Titan Army and returned to the light side.
With that being said, the Nico in said fic didn't become the host, as Luke (and Ethan) got him out before the taking-over.
In another fic, which is about Nico's apotheosis, It is established that Kronos has been taunting Hades to become his host since he is his eldest child, and as a result, Nico would suffer the same fate should he become a God. Nico didn't, of course, but we can see that he can be a great candidate for the position of Kronos’ host Due to the potential he possesses as a child of Hades. I have talked so much about how powerful he is so I suppose this goes without saying.
On the other hand, the child of the prophecy was supposed to be the son of an eldest god, so let's imagine: Nico is a child of an elder god and now is basically One of the main factors that dictate their fate being the central of Kronos' power. Can you imagine the thrill of having both the antagonist and the protagonist a child of the big three, knowing both of them have the power to change the flow of the story? Nico might as well be the child of the prophecy and now he is in the hands of the big bad villain? Who is to say he wouldn't choose to raze the Olympic to the ground? Please, I cannot be the only one seeing the thrill of second-guessing yourself and watching Percy second-guessing himself, page by page.
Back to our AU.
- Absolutely invested in Nico with Kronos' golden eyes.
- Idk if you have noticed, but there are a number of people who would very much be delighted to see Nico joining the Titan Army - so that's a plus. Though we haven't thought as far as putting him directly in Luke's place, this is such a fun territory to play with.
On the other hand, we should have thought about that lmao what's with Minos having done exactly like this in the canon. The King did manipulate Nico in order to accelerate his uprising (tho Rick wasn't unhinged enough to give the Underworld ghosts the benefit of possessing living things except for the eidolons).
Minos failed ofc. But surely the scenario is there. Furthermore, a big reason that hindered Minos was Nico's true control over him, which returned to him upon his enlightenment, thus breaking the fake power balance. But Nico didn't have any control over Kronos. Once he's in, there's no way out. Kronos is on another level compared to Minos. Luke had one way out and that was his death. Who to say the arms of Hades wouldn't be Nico's ending should he succumb to Kronos anw.
- I like the way you mention Percy - because as it turns out, Nico can perfectly mirror Luke regarding how Percy's fatal flaw is portrayed.
Percy's fatal flaw can be summed up in one sentence - "You would sacrifice the world to save a friend". Now, for Luke, it was thanks to the guy's friendly facade at the start that Percy had trouble deeming him as the enemy at first. For Nico, that's a little different. It's not friendship - bc surely Percy didn't consider 'friend' at that time. So what could it be?
The guilt. And the Loyalty from which it sprouted.
But loyalty to what?
To Bianca's promise.
And this varies between perspectives, but I suspect this can be much, much worse than what transpired with Luke if you know how to play it right. Why? Because it weighs on Percy's kindness, his conscience, his loyalty, his morals. It feels heavier. For Luke, it was a personal betrayal. For Nico, it would be a repeated failure that resulted in two deaths.
And I doubt Percy is fond of failures and deaths.
Do you know the saying that we tend to remember bad things rather than good memories? That. Failures stuck with us, whilst success paled in comparison (Not to mention the vague depiction of Percy's lost self-esteem, but I digress).
For Luke, it might be easier: the guy's now an enemy, Percy just had to put him down - straight and clear. For Nico, it's a little bit different. The kid's obviously an enemy - but he's also that: a kid. Whose sister died in front of Percy, whom he blamed still. You can tell that the setup itself might make it harder for Percy to just straight-up consider Nico an enemy - because as it was, Nico could very well be a victim of Percy's broken promise. Percy is half a reason he fell into the hands of Kronos - as you've said.
And Percy isn't evil. He's a protagonist and he's kind. His morals would prevent him from seeing Nico as an enemy that must be taken out - not before trying restlessly to bring the kid back.
- Percy aside, Hades’ support - and all the little benefits gained from Nico's side quest - should also be taken into account. Without Nico, there wouldn't be the Curse of Achilles. Without Nico, there would be no undead army rushing to save them in the last minute in the last Olympian, but rather a flock of unbeatable enemies that would persist like Nico’s grief for Bianca.
I wouldn't say that guarantees their failure but you have to admit that it would make things hella more difficult for them to win this war.
So that is for the advantages. Now let's talk about the drawbacks. Because obviously things wouldn't be so fun if everything goes that smoothly. 👍
The most noticeable difference between Luke and Nico is their ages, and further, their experiences. At the time he was chosen, Luke has lived until his 17, 18 as a demigod, has seen the mythological world more than Nico ever did. He would know better how to navigate the system, which would benefit Kronos more than a clueless Nico. You can argue that Kronos can properly train him as Minos did, but the fact remains that Luke has experiences that can only be gained through living, aging, and seeing.
On the same topic, after losing his sister, Nico was just a rage-driven, angry, lost 11-12-year-old kid. He could barely take care of himself. He obviously cannot govern and command an entire army. Luke, on the other hand, has many skills required to be a leader. I have talked about this once. He has the tongue, he has his charms, he's manipulative enough. As a tool and a weapon, Luke proves to be a better choice to be the pioneer of Kronos' revolution.
Of course, unless you need a puppet, in which case Nico proves to be a better choice. He was naive .he didn't know better. Luke try to resist because he saw how devastating his actions were/ would be. It should be much easier to fool a kid like Nico rather than an adult, thus limiting the chances of rebuke. I cannot recall exactly what Kronos was trying to do though, so I'll just leave this here.
The best method is of course to keep Luke while getting Nico ready, however, it would put kronos plans back a few years and I'm not really sure the guy would be that patient provided that he has been waiting thousand years to make a come back. So we will just leave it like that.
All in all, it's fun to think about a scenario in which the one whose contribution directly leads to their victory in the original series now becomes the main antagonist, the main reason they will likely fail. Thank you @smartichokes for the delightful idea!! 🥺🥺🥺
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anonymous-dentist · 7 months
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GOD I LOVE YOUR AU ok question time
- who is in the federation of heros? What founded the federation? Are they powered like cellbit?
- how is cellbit one of the first few born? I feel theres a science experiment plot caught in this and he broke containment. I wonder if he found this out due to being able to scare himself, and that fear immediately projecting to others, making THEM just as scared. Id imagine hed be diagnosed with severe paranoia/etc and then like. Oh SHIT its not. That. Oh fuck.
- what was that leadup that made him a supervillain? Something so minuscule yet so big as fear, to be considered one of the high villains of the city is insane. Some people would probably laugh it off an say physical destruction was scarier than mental, until they see what he actually does.
- who did he murder?????? I wonder if it was someone who defied the "everyones fears projected back to them" ability. Someone unaffected by this, like maybe their own ability counteracted it. One of the federations lower ranked heros attacked... as a citizen... i feel theres more than meets the eye here..... but of course it ended with murder. I feel there could be done with something of luzu and his look alike there.
- i still keep thinking about breaking dawn and how forever is also considered richas's dad, and just thinking about it being kinda switched in this scenario. Cellbit walked into forevers life again an now richas has another dad to annoy the piss out of. Though i do feel him an jaiden would be at each others throats in investigation. She would totally be a foh member to me. He tries to take down them through HER.
- why jaiden? Shes probably the most visible with her apparent ability. I imagine her having hummingbird like abilities. Flying at such a fast rate it can change the force of wind itself, etc etc etc (running on coffee an headaches atm sorrie) but she KNOWS something. She knows the foh is fucked up. She knows its dictating the definition of right an wrong, but she doesnt have the power (YET!!!!!!) to kill them from the inside out.
- heros who are seen as the light amongst the city, vigilantes who are the underbelly of a growing problem/an antibiotic refusing to kill the infection, and singular villain who wants to put a stop to it for all. God. I am jn love with this au im sorry can u tell
- and then theres fucking SPIDER MAN. nobody knows who he may work for since, by the logic of q city, if your a vigilante, your working for someone else directly related to the foh, and being sponsored as such. But theres no calling for spiderman, theres even active "have you seen this person" signs around the city, marking them as a non verbalized threat to the standing of foh. Cellbits key.
- now he needs to convince his friends to help him find spiderman. For....... research. Yes. Totally. He wishes to interview spiderman in hopes to figure out "who he works for", which not really. Hes not the best at lying, nor was he really trying. He wants to crack down the foh to its rotten core.
- he even tries to ask roier for help at some point, right? He talks about the signs around the city, says its a shame that hes on a watch list- and how he swings around to actively web heros against the walls to stop them from hurting another person.
- and its convinent theyre on a coffee date (cellbit didnt even notice, roier did, an hes just awkwardly like... hahahahabah thats really weird why would spiderman stop him but also yeah i get that- why would thet get rid of MY hero <:((("
- cellbits subconsciously like. Shit. Pretty boy is pouting about the vigilante. More reason to find the motherfucker.
SORRY ITS SO LONG ENJOY THE RAMBLEEEE
WOW OKAY so let’s see:
1. It’s a lot like the Federation from the canon qsmp, but it’s also more overtly focused on ‘Protecting the City’ from superpowered threats. It stepped in to fill the shoes of the former police state, and by getting rid of the majority of police officers it both opened up opportunities for villains (and thus heroes and thus the Federation) and for heroes (see: previous parentheses.) The founder is anonymous, a “Mister Duck”.
2. I’m actually lowkey playing by MHA rules. Basically, at some point a couple of decades ago, kids started being born with superpowers. It was the more obvious ones that were discovered first, like a girl in France being born with little duck wings. Cellbit’s ability is less obvious, but his parents were constantly overly worried about him because babies and children are always very very scared of everything. Eventually he realized what was up when he was around nine or ten, but he didn’t really tell anybody because even back then he knew that he would “get in trouble” for it.
3. As for villainy, it was an accident. He needed money after his parents died (of sudden heart attacks, and he pretends he doesn’t know what that actually means), and he isn’t a very intimidating guy on his own, so he kinda… helped himself out a little. And it worked super well, so he kept doing it. And he kept doing it. And then he started going a bit overboard with it and the people he was robbing started dying, too.
4. And as for the murder, Cellbit and the hero were both civilians when they got into an argument. The hero, new to the whole thing, ended up using their ability and actually attacked him. He attacked back, notably without using his ability, and he accidentally killed them. The Feds were NOT happy about this, so they messed with the court proceedings and got him sent to prison for three years. But, hey, at least he got therapy there?
5 and 6. Jaiden is 100% working with the Federation in this au. She and Spider-Man are taking very different approaches to what is fundamentally the same issue here. I think her ability is more parrot-y, but she does work for them now. (It’s a very recent development.)
8-10. Spider-Man is a fan-favorite and the Federation does NOT appreciate him ruining their image!! And he knows that he isn’t well liked by them at the moment, and he doesn’t care because it’s fine if Spider-Man dies. He has a job to do, and he is going to do it.
11-end. And it’s a good thing that Cellbit is such a big Spider-Man fan! It’s something Roier thinks they can use to bond. Definitely. Bonding.
…Can you tell superhero aus are my guilty pleasure lol
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idk why I thought of this
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… A Mario Bros AU where Jade is Mario (because mushrooms, duh), Floyd is Luigi (except instead of being a massive coward, Luigi!Floyd is every Koopa’s worst nightmare). Azul is the Princess Peach they have to rescue from Bowser!Trey cuz Floyd calls Trey a sea turtle… and Azul’s dress can be modeled after what Vanessa (human!Ursula wears in The Little Mermaid!!
Bowser!Trey is the most mild villain ever, he even offers to just casually return Peach!Azul after seeing how much trouble he’s causing the Leech Brothers. But Mario!Jade and Luigi!Floyd keep prolonging the princess’s suffering by purposefully taking the scenic route 🤡
bcjsbsjdnsks And while imprisoned, Peach!Azul ends up hearing Bowser!Trey’s woes about how he doesn’t want to be an evil dictator, he’s just a normal Koopa that wants to live a humble life as a baker 🥲 Peach!Azul would be trying to convince Bowser!Trey to start his pastry empire by signing a contract with him and getting the patronage/backing of the Mushroom Kingdom’s royal family…
So the bad guy acts more like a good guy than the actual good guys 😂
Grim can be their Toad because they both have annoyingly ear grating voices—
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aimasup · 7 months
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Dictators AU doodles
Context for last doodle: P.E.A.C.E still exists in opposition to Flug. Only reason he lets hero organisations still exist is because he knows he'd go out of business without them
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magicalgrimm · 2 years
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Man, I love these dudes.
The plan for this was to have it be digital but it didn’t really work out. Still I made this as appreciation for @aimasup au.
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musicb33nsstuff · 1 year
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Swap Dictator AU Magnolia in progress
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With some doodles
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Sonic prime reference
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Hope you all enjoy!
NOT MY AU!
This is @aimasup au
The versions of the villainous characters belong to her
Magnolia or WK-2.5.1- belongs to me
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hollyethecurious · 8 months
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CS AU: The Law of Surprise (2/3)
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Summary: The Law of Surprise: a custom as old as humanity itself. The Law dictates that a man saved by another is expected to offer to his savior a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties. In most cases, the boon takes the form of the saved man's firstborn child, conceived or born without the father's knowledge.
A/N: This is NOT a Witcher AU. The idea for this fic WAS inspired by the show, however. I’m not sure if the Law of Surprise was a show/game creation or if it existed before. Regardless, this fic is my spin on the concept and will be posted in three parts.
Much love and thanks to the @cssns mods for keeping this event going year after year! A HUGE shout out to my artist @eastwesthomeisbest for the AMAZING pieces she made to accompany my fic. Go give her ALL the flails! Finally, all the hot chocolate, rum, and grilled cheese sandwiches for my amazing betas @ultraluckycatnd and @kmomof4. LOVE YOU LADIES TO BITS!
Rated T (for now) / Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me!  
Part One
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Part Two
Ten years later…
Hook trudged his way through the Neverland jungle, the humidity dampening the ends of his hair - long overdue for a barber’s hand - and collecting along the bones of his collar and the hollow of his throat. He grumbled beneath his breath as he sidestepped booby traps left by the Lost Boys. Most of them had probably been forgotten and left abandoned when the miscreants’ whims had shifted from whatever depraved game they’d been playing to some new nefarious venture.
During his decade of service, Hook had been tasked a dozen times or more to ferry boys from the accursed realm where Pleasure Island existed. An island that lured boys to their doom with promises of wild frivolity, their fate sealed when they found themselves aboard the Jolly Roger, never to be seen or heard from again once they set foot on the new island of hellish delights. Most didn’t seem to mind, giving themselves over to the feral, lawless ways of the island, following in Pan’s deviant footsteps. Others, however… Well, Hook did not make it a habit of spending time thinking of the others, or their nightly woes that were carried to him by the vindictive Neverland winds as he attempted to find some measure of peace on his ship. Besides, after tonight, he would never have to endure those sobs, or the whoops and war cries, or the perils of the island, or the dangers of its master ever again.
After tonight, he’d be leaving the island of nightmares behind him for good. Too bad the same could not be said of the nightmarish reputation his years of service had crafted.
Pirate. Villain. Void of pity or compassion. Callous. Heartless. Merciless. Barbarous. Cruel.
These were the words he’d seen splashed across countless wanted posters, all demanding his capture - dead or alive - with bounties that had increased exponentially over the years. Posters and decrees that hung in every port, every tavern, displayed on every ship he’d waylaid, and carried in the pockets of every officer or crewmen he’d crossed blades with. Even those from a kingdom in which he’d never committed his crimes. A kingdom he had avoided at all costs, hoping that when his time was up he might still find himself a safe harbour upon her shores of refuge; a place he still might belong, despite his dastardly deeds and fearsome reputation.
Misthaven. His adopted homeland. A place to which he had sworn vows of fealty and devotion, not simply to its sovereigns, but the kingdom as a whole. He had done all he could to maintain his oath, even to the point of waging his own war in allyship as he fulfilled Pan’s ruthless commands by targeting King George’s ships and cargos, even if easier pickings had been available to him, protected by the Misthavian coat-of-arms.
The deck of the Jolly Roger had been bathed in the blood of King George’s men numerous times over the course of the war, which had waged on for the better part of these ten years. It was only in these last few months that peace had finally been achieved. Some sort of deal struck with a sorcerer who ruled a far off kingdom, his dark magic laying waste to George’s forces and ending the king’s reign in, what Hook had been told was, a resounding display of brutality that rivaled his own.
Though he shuddered to think of the deal his sovereigns had willingly made with a madman of such dark proclivities, Hook understood the necessity of desperate measures during such desperate times when those you loved and served were on the brink of death and destruction. Who was he to judge them? They had done what they felt they must in order to safeguard their people. A task made more complex by the fact that the entire conflict had begun with the atrocity of robbing Queen Snow of the ability to conceive an heir. Without a progeny to pass the throne to, Misthaven could have found itself under George’s rule had anything happened to Their Majesties. Hook knew they could not risk their subjects’ futures to such a fate, though he did wonder what the future held for a kingdom with no heir.
He supposed he’d find out for himself once he returned. Assuming he was not killed on sight when he made berth, feeling relatively certain, given the bounty King David himself had set upon his head, that neither his sovereigns nor his brother knew of his true identity. He did not relish the idea of revealing that truth, and could only pray he would find pardon once their shock and disgust subsided. That is… if he even found the courage to return at all.
There was no use denying that he’d considered, on many occasions, leaving the island and sailing as far from the realm as he could. Starting anew in some foreign destination where the names Killian Jones and Captain Hook held no meaning. He could not do that to Liam, though. Could not leave his brother to wonder after his fate, or worse, come looking for him on the island of nightmares where last they saw one another. Plus, he’d made a vow to honor his accords so long as they were honored in kind. He owed it to his sovereigns to return. If the king and queen chose to sever the ties that bound them, by both his oath and the unfilled Law of Surprise, then so be it, but he would not break his oath, not when he’d gone to such lengths to preserve it.
Skull Rock held the same oppressive and imposing heaviness it always did as he marched up the damp stone steps, each bootfall echoing the dread that pounded in his chest. Every time he’d presented himself here, Hook wondered how much more of himself he’d lose while implementing Pan’s bidding. This time was different, though. This time there would be no bidding. No demands. No nefarious schemes or dark dealings. This time, he was being summoned because their deal had finally come to an end. Ten long years of torment would be fulfilled this night and by dawn he would once again taste that which had eluded him for most of his life.
Freedom.
The same, however, could not be said for the poor unfortunate sat cowered in the dark corner of the cavern. A new toy for Pan’s amusement, no doubt. With no sign of Pan just yet, Hook casually glanced back at the small figure who appeared to be trapped in one of Pan’s giant hourglass prisons and was startled to realize it was no boy sitting with their knees curled into their chest, tears streaming down their cheeks, but was in fact… a girl.
Curious. Pan only ever wanted boys to join his little tribe of miscreants. What possible reason could he have for bringing a girl to--
“Ah, Captain! I do hope you have not been waiting long.”
“Only ten insufferable years,” Hook muttered under his breath, though he knew Pan heard him. Pan heard everything. “So we can dispense with the pleasantries if it’s all the same to you.”
They were squared off with one another, each taking on the posture that had become habit. Hook’s stance was always casual yet formidable, his thumb tucked behind his belt buckle with his weight shifted to one side, while Pan leaned against the craggy interior of the cave, his arms and ankles crossed as though he had not a care in the world. However, there was something off about Pan’s comportment this time. Hook could only surmise the change in demeanor was due to the ending of their arrangement and the little bastard’s loss of an errand boy.
A summation that proved wrong when Pan narrowed his gaze and hissed, “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
Hook’s brow pulled together and his head cocked to one side. “Find out… what?”
Pushing off from the wall, Pan slithered his way towards Hook, circling him in a way that made the pirate’s skin crawl, inquiring again, “Did you really think you could keep it from me?”
“Pan,” Hook sighed. He was so tired of the brat’s games. “I’ve no clue what you’re on about.”
Coming to a halt right in front of Hook, Pan crossed his arms over his chest, and though his feet were in a wide stance, exaggerating their difference in height, he somehow leveled his eyes with Hook’s.
“Did you think I would not discover the boon you were entitled to by King David himself?” Pan asked in a casual but dangerous tone. “The Law of Surprise you were promised for saving the man’s life?”
It took all of Hook’s composure not to react, though his jaw did betray him when the muscle beneath twitched. How could he possibly know about--
“Did you really think I would not keep tabs on your brother? On those whom you had served before me? It was part of our original arrangement that they would not interfere, and I had to make sure they made good on that promise. Imagine my surprise when my Shadow returned from his most recent reconnaissance with the news. The Law of Surprise bestowed upon you long ago.”
Trepidation filled him as Pan set off circling again, his mind spinning even as it tried to comprehend the words that followed.
“You never did find out what that surprise entailed, did you?” Pan made his way to stand next to the golden haired girl who was still trapped, her cries for help unable to penetrate the glass as he practically crowed, “Surprise! It’s a girl!”
“What?” Hook exhaled on an incredulous breath. “No, that’s… that’s impossible. She’s--”
“Princess Emma of Misthaven,” Pan stated. “Her existence was kept secret all these years for her own safety. Of course, now that Misthaven’s war with George is at an end the truth was finally revealed to its subjects. Although, I’m pretty sure only their Majesties and your brother are aware of her special connection to you. Well… and now me, of course.”
Hook’s gaze had been fixed on the young girl throughout Pan’s crowing. Her hair was a bit lighter than the king’s, her complexion not quite as porcelain as the queen’s, yet there was no denying her parentage. Her nose, her chin, her eyes… all features he could attribute back to King David or Queen Snow. She was theirs. Their child. But how? The Queen was barren. George had seen to it that she be unable to conceive and produce an heir, which made her existence a surprise indeed.
His surprise. His Child of Surprise according to magical law. She was his.
Drawing his sword, Hook advanced on Pan, thundering, “Let her go!”
With a flick of his wrist Pan immobilized Hook, leaving him virtually paralyzed in place and unable to move.
“I think not,” Pan sneered. “She’s my keepsake. A little token to remember you by… unless…”
“Unless what?” Hook spat through clenched teeth.
“Unless,” Pan drawled, “You agree to stay… indefinitely.”
Hook’s eyes cut to the princess - his princess - and the fear he saw shadowing her face tore his heart. Had Pan ripped her from her bed? Had his monstrous spectre dragged her here through the night sky with the potential horror of falling to her death whipping over her as they sliced their way through the air? How long had she been trapped in that corner, encased in a glass prison? What must she think of the scene playing out before her? How desperate must she be to return to her parents? Her parents. The King and Queen must be frantic. Almost as frantic as he was over the prospect of her being trapped here. Forever.
Over his dead body.
“Deal,” Hook agreed, casting his gaze once more on the demon boy. “On one condition.”
“What condition?”
“You let me take her back,” Hook demanded. “You let me ensure she gets home safe, tucked away once more in her bed. You let me reassure Their Majesties and inform my brother of our new deal. Give me that at least.”
Pan gave him a bored look, an almost disgusted sneer pulling at his lips as though he were disappointed by the sentimentality of the request. “Very well,” he said, dismissively. “I’ll have my Shadow ready the sail, but you best be headed back here before dawn,” he warned, pointing a bony finger towards the pirate. “And remind that brother of yours, he’s not to interfere. Him and your… sovereigns.”
Pan vanished before Hook’s eyes and the weight of what he’d just agreed to fell heavy within his stomach. The glitter of magic pulled his attention towards the hourglass, its walls dissipating, allowing freedom to its captive, but the princess shrank back further into the corner. Clearly fearful, but doing her best to put on a brave face, she stiffened her posture and lifted her chin, her eyes fixed on him as he tentatively approached.
“Have you come to ransom me to my parents?” she demanded, a quiver of fear trembling in her voice and manifesting in her bottom lip.
“No, Princess,” he assured her in a calm and soothing tone, dropping the timbre of his voice as he extended his hand towards her. “I’ve already paid your ransom. I’m taking you home.”
“You? You paid the ransom?” she asked incredulously. “Why?”
He tightened his jaw, making the muscles twitch, and contemplated how much to divulge to her. “Because I… I once served your parents, and between us there is a debt owed. It is my duty to see to your safe keeping.”
“You owe my parents a debt?” she said, taking a step forward.
He said nothing, letting her keep her wrong assumptions, and beckoned her forward with a quick gesture of his hand. “Come,” he said, taking her hand once she was clear of the opening within the glass. “We have a rather long journey ahead of us, and your parents must be worried sick.”
The princess followed along beside him, her little hand tucked tightly in his as they made their way to the cove where the Jolly Roger awaited them. The main sail was already darkened by the Shadow, and Hook wasted no time casting off once he and the princess were safe aboard. As soon as they were far enough away from the island Hook felt the ship begin to lift out of the waters and take flight. He curved his hook around a spoke of the wheel, bracing himself for the transition from sea to air as he held firm to Emma’s hand. The turbulent ascent and the way it made his belly fall was expected, but the arms frantically wrapping around his middle, attempting to squeeze the life out of him was not.
Looking down, he chuckled at the way the little princess buried her face in his leather coat, barely able to discern her muffled, “Tell me when it's over,” as she held on for dear life.
“You’ve nothing to fear, Princess,” he assured her, stroking his hand over her hair. “We can go below if it’ll make you feel better.”
Tilting her face upward, she stared at him with concern and apprehension swirling in her bright green gaze, and if there had been any doubt before, Hook knew in that moment there was not a thing in any and all the realms he would not do to ensure her safety and happiness.
“Don’t you have to man the helm?” she asked.
“No,” he told her, already leading the way towards his quarters. “The ship can manage without me.”
He hovered in the corner by the hatch steps as she perused the room, giving her space to grow comfortable with her surroundings..
“I’ve never been on a pirate ship before.”
“I should think not,” he responded to her off-handed comment, unable to keep the appalled tone from underpinning his words.
“Actually,” she said, studying the maps and charts that littered his desk. “I’ve never been on any ship. I’ve never even left the castle until yesterday.”
“Aye. Pan mentioned you’d been kept a secret all these years.”
“Mama and Papa said it was for my protection. They said King George could never know or else…”
She let the statement trail off and busied herself with inspecting his books, obviously uncomfortable with where the conversation was headed.
“Forgive my curiosity,” Hook began tentatively, the need for answers gnawing at him and waging war against the instinct to keep her from having to recount anything unpleasant. “I was under the impression that Queen Snow was barren. How is it… that is. How did you…”
“The waters of Lake Nostos,” she informed him, making her way to his bunk and plopping herself down to sit on its edge with a small bounce.
“The what?” He crossed his arms and ankles, reclining further into the corner, heartened by the way she seemed to be relaxing in his presence and unwilling to make any sudden movement that might put her on edge once more.
“Lake Nostos,” she repeated, fidgeting with something in her hands. A seashell, Hook realized. She must have plundered it from his desk without his notice. She’d make a hell of a pirate someday, he thought wryly.
“My father acquired a barrel of it, hoping its powers might restore what King George’s poison took from my mother,” she went on to explain. “That’s what the legend says it does, anyway.”
Hook’s brows furrowed as a long forgotten piece of knowledge made its way from the recesses of his mind. “Its waters were said to have magical properties that could return something that was once lost.” The princess nodded, but Hook’s skepticism deepend. “I thought those waters had dried up.”
“They had,” she continued, turning the seashell over in her hands, “But Papa found a merchant that had one remaining barrel of its waters, and was able to acquire it. Although, his search for a cure was almost for naught.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because Papa’s ship was ambushed by King George, with the barrel still aboard, and it sank to the bottom of the sea during the battle. Papa himself almost perished.”
Flashes of that battle erupted within Hook's mind. The smell of the gunpowder, the coppery taste of blood in the air, the excruciating pain in his wrist, the frigid bite of the dark waters, and those last moments just beyond death’s cold grip before he…
“Fortunately, a sailor hooked himself to the barrel and used it to keep afloat. Otherwise… I wouldn’t be here.”
All the air whooshed from Hook’s lungs, but he barely had time to process that astonishing twist of fate before the ship lurched and a tell-tale shade of green began to colour the princess’ features.
“There, there, lass,” he cooed softly, managing to get the basin to her in time and rubbing soothing circles over her back as she retched. Leaving the basin in her lap, he crossed the cabin and mixed up a tonic that would help settle her stomach, as well as put her to sleep for the duration of their journey.
“Here,” he offered, giving her a soft, encouraging smile as she brought the cup to her lips. “This will help with the queasiness, but it’ll also make you drowsy.”
Hook was humbled by the trust she showed him, swallowing every last drop of the tonic before handing the empty cup back to him.
“How long will it take before we get back to Misthaven?”
“A few hours,” he replied, grabbing a soft blanket from the chest at the foot of his bunk and encouraging her to lay back.
She yawned as he covered her, seemingly unaware as he removed the seashell from her grasp and placed it in his pocket, then she turned onto her side and tucked her hand beneath her head, her eyes following him as he settled into the chair behind his desk.
“You know… Papa doesn’t care for pirates much.”
“Is that so?”
“Mhmm,” she uttered wearily, the tonic already taking effect. “Make sure to wake me when we get there, so I can ensure your safety when you bring me back to the castle.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Hook’s mouth, and he couldn’t deny the warm feeling seeping through his chest at her insistence that she would protect him. Him. The fearsome Captain Hook.
“Do you believe your father would have me in irons the moment I set foot within the castle walls?”
“Yes,” she yawned. “Unless Uncle Liam gets to you first.”
The warm feeling turned to ice at the mention of his brother’s name. Uncle Liam. She’d been raised to regard his brother as her kin. It should not have surprised him. Of course his brother would have filled the void and stepped into the gap his absence had left behind. The Law of Surprise was dictated by the fates - and if he’d ever held any doubts over just how destiny driven that ancient magic was, the princess had all but wiped them away with her confirmation that her very existence would not have been possible had he not tethered himself to that barrel with the very hook her mother had later gifted him. The one still affixed to the brace on his left arm - it stood to reason that providence would provide a surrogate until such a time that destiny could be fulfilled.
Hook wondered what the fates might have in store for her now that he’d bound himself once more to Pan, this time… indefinitely. Perhaps that was fate's design as well. Who else but his brother could best help prepare her for the path that lay ahead as heir and future queen of Misthaven. Liam was a much better candidate than he, even before they’d sailed to Neverland. Before he’d failed to protect his captain from harm. Before he’d made the deal. Before Pan made him a pirate. Before he’d succumbed to the persona of Hook and, at times, many more times than he’d care to admit, had reveled in it.
Aye. This must have been the fates plan all along. A way to correct the error of the Law of Surprise ever being bestowed upon him in the first place. A way to ensure Emma’s safety and protection, her happiness and contentment. A way to set her on the right course so she could reign and rule her people with love and patience, mercy and justice. Virtues he’d long buried until they’d suffocated under the weight of his vices.
The fates were right. What use was a filthy, murderous, villainous pirate to one such as her? She was better off being looked after by his brother. Better off without him tarnishing her life and legacy, corrupting whatever goodness the fates had in store for her.
Hook left the little princess sleeping contentedly in his bunk, making his way back to the helm with his flask unstoppered in his hand. With each long pull of rum he took his eyes scanned the stars until he saw the two familiar flickering lights that signaled their passage from one realm to the next. The ship steered towards the star on the left and new heavens opened above him, revealing constellations he’d spent many a night in recovery mapping from one of the castle’s towers.
The Jolly Roger set down in the Misthavian waters several leagues from port and Hook moored her in a small cove not far from the castle. Gathering the still slumbering princess in his arms, he secured her to his person then swung down from the deck with the aid of the rigging. The sleeping draught he’d added to the tonic was proving quite effective, and Hook pushed away the guilt he felt over drugging her, knowing it had not been only for her own comfort that he’d added the sedative.
It was an arduous trek to the castle with very little of the waning moon’s beams to help guide him. Its illumination proved enough to alert the tower guards of his approach, however, for no sooner had he stepped onto the path that led to the back gate than a voice cried out a commanding order.
“Halt! Unhand the princess!”
“I have come in peace,” Hook told them, adjusting the princess’ weight in his arms.
“Not likely,” the guard scoffed. “You were spotted the moment your ship, with its unnatural black sail, descended. Since when does Captain Hook ever do anything in the name of peace?”
Hook sighed and leveled his gaze at the young knight, all the while clocking the other guards that were beginning to surround him. “Since he is here, not as Hook, but as the man he once was before becoming a pirate.” Swallowing heavily, he announced himself by the name he’d abandoned long ago. A name that felt more like a moniker than the one he’d earned wielding the weapon that had become his namesake. “Killian Jones.”
A few of the guards balked. “Jones? As in Admiral Liam--”
“I demand an audience with Their Majesties and my brother,” Hook barked. “I will only turn the princess over to their care. No one else.”
“Now see here, pirate! Who do you think you are to make dem-”
“Let him pass!” a familiar voice called out from behind the line of knights and guards. Pushing her way through the assembly, Tink emerged, a stunned and elated expression beaming from her features.
“Lady Bell,” Hook murmured in greeting, a wash of something like shame cascading over him as her eyes took him in and her expression soured into something more like shocked horror than pleasant surprise.
Whatever her final estimations of him, she shook off her stupefaction and rounded on the guards once more. “Did you not hear me? I said let him pass. Captain Jones is a faithful servant to the crown, evident by the fact that he has returned the princess to us. Escort him to the throne room and awaken Their Majesties at once!”
Hook had no idea what power Tink had carved out for herself within the Misthaven court this past decade, but that did not keep him from enjoying the spectacle of knights and guards tripping over themselves to carry out her orders as he was ushered to the throne room.
“Wait here,” his escort instructed, securing the doors behind him as he exited to stand guard until Their Majesties’ arrival. Hook was astonished that the man had left him alone with the princess, though he was grateful for the solitude, knowing he’d need these few moments to collect his thoughts and figure out how he would tell them about the new deal he’d struck… and because he knew these were the final moments he’d have with the princess - his princess - before he’d have to say goodbye to her.
Potentially forever.
He did not wish to linger on that thought.
Hook lowered himself onto the edge of the dais and cradled the princess in his lap while he waited for the king and queen to arrive. It felt strange to be back in this room. Not much had changed, based on the cursory perusal he gave the space upon entering. He wondered how much he would find King David and Queen Snow changed, to say nothing of his brother. They would be older, no doubt. Bits of gray peppering their temples, a few wrinkles beginning to etch themselves around the eyes and across their foreheads, but despite their outward appearance, Hook doubted very much that the years would have altered them as they had him.
No. If anyone was different, if anyone had undergone a drastic change to the point they might find themselves unrecognizable to those who had once known them best, it was him. Glancing down at himself, bedecked in his typical black leather and adorned with all manner of accessories unbecoming an officer, Hook wondered very much if any of them would recognize him at all.
The throne room doors banged open, causing Hook’s head to shoot up. The king and queen rushed in, hand-in-hand, followed closely by his brother. The three of them, darned in their nightclothes with their chests heaving from the exertion of sprinting from their respective bedchambers, stopped short at the sight of him sitting there with the princess wrapped in his arms. Gently, Hook laid Emma down beside him, then moved away, averting his eyes so as to not see their shocked expressions.
“She is well,” he assured them. “I gave her a sleeping draught to help calm her nerves on the journey home. It will wear off in due course.”
Stepping further back when he heard the stampede of footfalls coming towards him, Hook watched with a pained sort of contentment as the king and queen dashed to their daughter’s side. His meticulously honed skills, developed from years of having to navigate past dangers lurking within the Neverland jungle, alerted him to the soft pads making their way, not to the princess, but to him, and Hook braced himself to face his brother.
“Killian?” Liam's tone of pure exhilaration tore right through Hook. “Little brother, is it really you?”
“Aye,” Hook replied, his gaze, growing misty from the emotion welling beneath his lashes, still cast downward as he felt the weight of his brother’s hand upon his shoulder.
“After all this time,” Liam began, a sob choking his words. His hands cupped Hook’s face and he tilted his head upwards so he could look fully at his brother’s features. “You look just the same and yet, I hardly recognize you. Whatever are you wearing?”
Hook could not help the amused huff that left his lungs, matching his brother’s cheeky smile before allowing Liam to pull him into a tight embrace. Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes as he desperately clung to his brother, wishing with all his might this didn’t have to be another good-bye.
“Oh, Killian!” Snow wailed, launching herself into his arms after Liam had released him, and he soon found himself in the bear-like grip of the king as his arms wound around both he and the queen.
“You found her? You brought her home? But how?” King David inquired, prompting their assembly back towards the dais so he and Snow could sit with Emma as they waited for answers. “She went missing only yesterday, when her maids found her bed empty. We hadn’t even sent word to other kingdoms yet, so how did you--”
“Charming,” Snow interjected, her eyes scrutinizing Hook with the practiced eye of a caring mother. “The tale can wait until Killian has had a chance to rest.” A warm smile graced her lips as she lovingly admonished, “You look dead on your feet. Allow us to have a room made up for you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am afraid I must decline,” Hook responded heavily. “I only have until dawn before I must return.”
“Return?” Liam exclaimed. “No! Your years of service to Pan expired yesterday! I thought… I thought that’s why you were here. Because you are now free.”
“It’s true, my original agreement with Pan ended yesterday,” Hook said, his eyes cast back down towards the floor once more. “But… I made a new deal with the demon boy, and I must get back before dawn or else it becomes void.”
“Let it!” Liam shouted. “Whatever reason you made this deal, surely it is not worth another decade of suffering under that vile imp’s rule.”
Hook flicked his gaze up to Liam’s, then over to the still slumbering princess and imparted, “It is, actually.”
Snow gasped and David balked when they both realized the meaning and gravity of Hook’s words, and three sets of horrified and anguish filled eyes turned upon him.
“You mean--”
“It was Pan,” Hook confirmed with a somber nod. “Somehow, he discovered the boon I earned in saving your life all those years ago. The Law of Surprise I was not even aware I had received until it sat caged in Pan’s lair. The price of Princess Emma’s freedom was for me to agree to stay, and it is a deal I would make a thousand times over.”
“For how long?” David demanded. “How long is this new deal for?”
Hook’s jaw tightened and once again he found himself unable to look any of them in the eye as he confessed, “Indefinitely. Likely, until one of our deaths sets me free.”
Shouts of outrage erupted around him, both the king and his brother insisting he stay, assuring him they would be willing to go to war with Pan if need be.
“No!” Hook hollered back, a flash of fury burning in his eyes as he drew himself up to full captain’s height and stepped into the persona he’d fashioned for himself over these many years. “You don’t know Pan as I do. He is a formidable foe, one you can not hope to defeat with conventional means. You’ve only just found peace for your kingdom now the war with George is at an end. I will not see you enter into another. I will not risk any of your lives just to try and save mine.” Each of them flinched under his hardened gaze as it snapped from one to the other until it landed with a softened hint of affection upon the princess. “I will not risk hers,” he murmured gruffly. “She is too important, and I… I am nothing more than a filthy pirate.”
“That’s not true, little broth--”
“It is true!” Hook growled menacingly, raising his namesake. “I am none other than Captain Hook, who you yourself have issued countless bounties for, dead or alive,” he told them as the full realization of his identity hit them. “And that is only for the crimes you know I have committed. You cannot even fathom the atrocities of which I am truly guilty.”
“Killian, none of that mat--”
“That is no longer my name!” Hook roared. His eyes flashed again and David instinctually pulled his wife behind him. The protective action cut Hook to the quick, and he quickly deflated as he swept his hand through his hair while filling his lungs with a calming breath. Running his tongue over his lips, he swallowed past the shame gurgling up from his belly, and set contrite eyes upon his sovereigns. “My apologies,” he said in earnest. “Killian Jones may have been a man worthy of such sacrifice, but I assure you, Captain Hook is not. Regardless,” he paused and set his eyes upon Emma once more. “For better or worse, the fates entrusted her to my keeping, and I would see that duty met. But that won’t be possible once I leave here, which means…” he cast his eyes upon his brother and began to decree, “Into your keeping, brother, I bestow the rights and duty of the Law of-”
“Stop!” Liam commanded, placing his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “Don’t. Don’t you do that. Don't you give up.” Gesturing towards the princess, Liam vowed, “I will look after her in your stead, but she will remain your Child of Surprise. If only to give you some reason to keep on fighting. You said you would do your duty towards her, and we will hold you to that, brother. None of us can know why the fates chose you, all we can do is trust in some greater plan that has yet to come to fruition.”
“Liam is right,” the king added in agreement. “The honor, privilege, and responsibility of my child’s life rests with you, Killian. It always has. Will you continue to safeguard it?”
Eyes once more fixed on the sleeping child resting in her mother’s lap, Hook took in a deep and shuddering breath. “Aye,” he exhaled. “Even to my last breath.”
The force of the king’s slap to his back nearly knocked him over. “Good. Then come and sit with us. You said we only had until dawn, and we have much to catch up on.”
The next few hours were spent in camaraderie and merriment, with only the occasional melancholy or remorse. Hook had forgotten what it felt like: fellowship, the use of his given name, the occasion to laugh, to tease, to bond. All too soon the roosters began to crow from the yard outside the castle walls, announcing the coming of the dawn that would begin creeping over the horizon within the hour.
Hook would never know where he found the fortitude to not break down when the time came to bid a final farewell to Their Majesties - his friends - and brother. David gave him his word that he would have pardon within Misthaven, that the kingdom would be a refuge and sanctuary to him whenever he might have need of it. Liam made his little brother promise to keep fighting, to keep searching for a way to defeat Pan so he could come home once and for all. When the time came to say good-bye to Snow, Hook’s words got caught in his throat. Not because this was a more difficult farewell, but because it meant the one he was truly dreading would be next.
“Would you…” Snow began, hesitantly. Perhaps sensing his turmoil in that intuitive way she had about her. “Would you mind helping me get Emma back to her room?” she asked, glancing over at the cushioned bench where the princess had continued to sleep throughout their reunion. “I had hoped she might wake up so you could tell her good-bye, but perhaps tucking her in and knowing she is safe and sound would be the next best thing?”
“Aye, thank you, Your Majes… I mean. Thank you, Snow,” Hook corrected when she raised her brows at him, reminding him they had agreed to dispense with the honorifics, as good friends were wont to do.
Gathering the princess in his arms, Hook gave David and Liam one last look and resolved nod before following Snow out of the throne room and through the corridors until they reached Emma’s chambers. Snow opened the doors and gestured Hook inside, hovering just beyond the threshold as Hook deposited the princess in bed.
The child groaned and stretched, momentarily opening her eyes and fighting the effects of the draught as she wearily gazed up at the pirate kneeling beside the bed.
“Shhh, princess,” he soothed. “Everything is well now. You’re home.”
“I told you to wake me,” she mumbled. “Papa didn’t arrest you, did he?”
Hook chuckled. “No, lass. Your Papa has been most hospitable, but I have worn out my welcome and must go now.”
“Must you?”
“Aye, princess. I’m afraid so.”
“Will I ever see you again?”
Hook threaded his fingers through her hair, stroking the long, silken strands with a gentle touch before tucking them behind her ear. “I hope so, princess. Most assuredly.”
“Me, too.”
Her eyes fluttered shut and her breathing began to even back out. Hoping she had not fully succumbed to the abyss of sleep once more, Hook pulled the seashell she’d taken from his desk and placed it back in her palm. “Here,” he murmured softly, “A little something to remember me by, and… a promise.” Stroking her hair once more, Hook leaned in and pressed his lips against her forehead, sending up a silent prayer to all the gods and fates that she be kept safe and only know happiness in her life before vowing, “Not a day will go by I won’t think of you.”
He knelt there for a moment more before making his way back towards the door, pausing at the threshold when he heard a quiet, “good” murmured from her bed. Tears stung his eyes, a halting breath escaping from his chest as he tried to maintain his composure in Snow’s presence.
Wrapping her arms around him, Snow gave him sanctuary to pour out his anguish. The despair and injustice. Everything he’d been suppressing since he’d discovered the truth and learned of Emma’s existence. Everything that was boiling over within him now, having to leave behind all he held dear, all that was precious to him.
It wasn’t fair.
Not because he felt he deserved better, he knew he didn’t. No. It wasn’t fair to Emma. Surely she must have felt it? The bond that had been created between them through the Law of Surprise. The feeling of being incomplete, as though he were leaving parts of himself behind, would she feel that loss as well? Would she ache for something she sensed missing as the deep recesses within him were now beginning to ache for her? Would she endeavor to fill the void his absence would create? Would she come looking for him?
“She can’t ever know,” Hook declared desperately.
“What?”
“Emma,” Hook clarified. “She can’t ever know about me. About the Law of Surprise. Please, Snow. Promise me you won’t burden her with that knowledge. Have the fairies help her forget me, if necessary.”
“Killian, what are you saying?” Snow inquired, her brow frightfully furrowed at his frantic demeanor.
“I’m saying, if she doesn’t know about me, then she won’t… she won’t be tempted to come find me. She’ll stay here. She’ll stay safe. Promise me.”
“I… I promise,” Snow agreed, though Hook could tell it was begrudgingly. “I promise that if she is ever to know the truth, it will only come from your lips.”
“Thank you,” he exhaled on a relieved breath, before pulling her into a final embrace. “For everything. I…”
“I know,” she assured him. “You must go,” she insisted, releasing him and taking a step back while wiping away her tears. “Dawn approaches.”
“Aye,” Killian replied, reaching out and giving her hand a squeeze. “Take care of yourself, Your Majesty.”
“Take care of yourself… Captain.”
With only minutes to spare, Hook made it back to the Jolly Roger and set sail back to Neverland. He was halfway back to the island of horrors when a sound from the hold sparked his curiosity. A quick search revealed… a stowaway.
“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing here, Tink?!”
“Shhh,” she admonished. “Keep your voice down or that spectre will hear you.”
“How do you know that spectre doesn’t already know you’re on board?”
“Because it was asleep when I snuck on.”
Hook balked. “It sleeps?”
“Yup,” she replied with a dramatic pop of the p. “Ten years and you never realized Pan’s shadow sleeps? I was right. You do need my help.”
“Your help?” Hook questioned, his head cocked to one side as he looked upon the fairy with confusion. “Help with what?”
“Why… killing Pan, of course. You and I both know that’s the only way out of your new deal with him.”
“How did you-”
“I was eavesdropping from the second floor gallery.”
“You what?!”
Tink held up her hand to stay his indignation. “Do you want to admonish me, or do you want to hear my plan?”
“You have a plan?” he repeated, with a heavy dose of skepticism. “To kill Pan?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Tink rocked back on her heels. “Mhmm. Wanna hear it or not?”
She was serious. She actually had a plan, and from the resolve he could see set within her shoulders and the way her eyes gleamed, Hook could tell it was a good one.
“I’m listening.”
Hook had to give it to the fairy, she was brilliant. Her plan had merit. Real merit. But it would take time, and cunning, and a fair amount of luck, and they’d be putting themselves at great risk if they failed.
“Why?” he demanded. “Why are you doing this? Risking everything. Your very life. Just to help me go free?”
“For one,” she said, taking his hand. “You deserve it.”
He wasn’t too sure about that. “And the other?”
Tink wet her lips and swallowed. “I’m doing it for her. For Emma. She needs you. Her life will never be… complete, never be fulfilled, never be what it's meant to be. Not without you in it.”
“You’re wrong,” he said, pulling his hand away. “She’s far better off without me in her life.”
A smirk lifted the corner of her lips, and they were both jolted by the jarring impact of the ship’s return to the waters of Neverland.
“We’ll see about that.”
Part Three - Coming Soon!
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mixelation · 9 months
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I wonder what Danzo would be like under Minato long term. I feel like Hiruzen was a huge enabler in terms of letting become the literal Naruto Devil that Caused Everything.
yeah, i don't think danzo would have nearly as much influence under minato. in my minato/karin fic, i went with "minato tolerated ROOT being largely independent for his first few years as hokage because konoha was actively at war and he thought having a more experienced person like danzo in a seat of power would be a boon to the village, but now he has to handle a tricky situation where danzo is extremely influential in certain circles and also doesn't exactly respect minato's authority"
so if i WANTED to keep danzo as a villain in the reborn au, i'd probably do something similar? like ROOT is significantly smaller and they're not kidnapping clan kids, but danzo regularly goes behind minato's back or oversteps his own authority, and he does it in such a way that retaliation from minato looks like minato is overreacting or going back on his own calls. if we went with "minato left him largely unchecked for his early years," then long term i think it would go: minato tries to roll back danzo's power after the war officially ends* -> danzo accepts this at first but then gets annoyed/restless/power hungry instead of just retiring like he should -> danzo slowly ramps up his shadow hokage-ship again until minato is forced to Do Something but also he has to figure out how to do it in a way it doesn't look like he's just shutting down a celebrated war veteran for no reason (AKA he needs actual evidence of treason to do anything Big). like minato is a military dictator so in theory he can do whatever he wants, but in practice he would prefer as much popular support as possible, especially since danzo's ROOT is set up in a way where uuuh i think danzo could use their loyalty to him specifically to threaten civil war?
*my personal time line is minato became hokage at 22 (high intelligence low wisdom and he knows it), had naruto at 24 (and died in canon), and then the third war officially ended when minato would be 27 / naruto was three, because the guy who tried to kidnap hinata was in konoha to end an unspecified war. so at the beginning of the konoha part of the born au, minato and kushina are ~32 and the war has been over roughly five years
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