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kneexcutter · 1 year

Text

Wreckings

Transformers Prime

Reader is presumed female

Reader is an autobot

“Hey Y/N!!!”

Miko yelled as she approached you, waving enthusiastically. You groaned as you shifted your gaze to the human child. Aside from Bulkhead and Wheeljack being on a mission, you'd assume Miko would join Bumblebee and Raph on whatever little trip they were on... yet she chose to stay with you in the base, alone. Ratchet was doing something only Primus knows what and clearly didn't want to be bothered, so you were the only bot Miko could torment.

“Yes Miko?”

Miko shone up at you from the small area the kids have on base, she stood on the couch while gazing up at you, Miko had a habit of doing that from time to time, it never troubled you personally, but it did make you wonder why she only gave you that look and not anybody else.

“So? I gotta know, on Cybertron how does like dating work?”

“Dating?” You tilt your helm in confusion.

“Yeah! Like ya know- if you have romantic feelings or relationships with anyone on your planet?”

“Oh! Well…” you shifted your optics towards Ratchet as he let out a slight chuckle still continuing his work. “Why don’t you ask Ratchet? He’s been around a lot longer than I have and I’m sure he could tell you all about that.”

Ratchet turned his helm with a scoff, “Don’t lump me into whatever that conversation is…”

“Ah come on Ratchet, I’m sure you had some femme look in your direction,” you said crossing your arms. “Maybe even a few mechs?”

Ratchet raised his optical ridge at you and you couldn’t help but cover your derma.

Miko laughed, “No offense Rach, but you don’t really look like a lady killer.”

You snickered as Ratchet scoffed slightly. “I’m a busy medic, I had no time for that stuff what so ever. Thank you oh so much.”

Miko turned back to you and made a wry smile at you, it freaked you out a little how she was able to twist her face like that.

“What?”

“So like you’re telling me that you didn’t have time for relationships either?” Miko placed her hands on her hip.

“Yes?”

“Uh huh-“

Ratchet huffed, “I beg to Primus.”

You turned your helm towards the medic’s direction. “I’m sorry is there something you wish to say? Doc?”

Ratchet didn’t turn his helm but instead only grunted at the name you called him. “Not even a certain scout caught your attention maybe even a certain wrecker?”

You raised optical ridge, “If your referring to Bumblebee then I see him as family, and if your referring to Wheeljack then I wouldn’t cross that line with you… I know how much you adore him.”

Ratchet groaned in annoyance, “Please, I can’t get anything done with that scarp yard metal around. On the contrary you seem to have a soft spot of his partner. Not that anyone but myself has noticed.”

“You-“

Before you could speak Miko let out an ear piercing squeal.

Miko gasped, “Bulkhead?! You have feelings for Bulky?!”

You turned your gaze at Miko, “Oh no- no no, Bulkhead and I are friends. It’s strictly professional between us.”

“So she says,” Ratchet grumbles.

“I do not!” You scoffed. “We’ve been friends forever. Why would I want to ruin that over some romantic feelings?”

Miko hummed grinning at you, “Who says you couldn’t have romantic feelings for a friend hm?”

“I don’t have any interest in Bulkhead.”

“That’s a load of bull and you know it Y/N!” Miko says pointing at you. “Admit it! You’re so totally into Bulkhead!”

“I am not! Miko you’re speaking nonsense right now,” you argued.

“You do!”

“There’s no evidence to prove anything that whatsoever.”

Ratchet let out a fake cough to which you rolled your optics. “Is there something stuck in your vocalizer Ratchet? Because you’re mighty talkative for someone who’s supposed to be busy.”

Ratchet turned to fully face you now, “Oh I’m sorry, here let me just call Bulkhead for you now so you’re aware of his status on the mission since you’re ever so worried.”

“You waste of dirty scarp meta-“

“Y/N come on this is a safe space, if you have feelings for Bulky just come out and say it, there’s no shame to it,” Miko said now sitting on the couch.

“Miko, I don’t have any feelings towards Bulkhead, he’s my friend and I admire him, that’s it,“ You said calmly. “I’m going out for a drive… Miko would you care to come with?”

Miko perked up and nodded, “Heck yeah!”

You smiled as your placed your servo out for Miko to climb onto it.

“Just call us back when everyone arrives Ratchet.”

Ratchet turned back to his work and waved you off. “Be careful.”

Driving out of base, Miko began to play her rock music and air play the guitar as she listened to the music, after about a few minutes she paused it and stared out the window.

“Something the matter?” You asked her.

Miko shook her head, “Nah… just thinkin about something.”

“What is it?”

Miko leaned back in the seat and let out an exaggerated sigh, “Well~”

You sighed already knowing what she was thinking about. “Lemme guess about me and Bulkhead.”

Miko giggled, “Maybe~”

“Whatever it is the answer is no.”

“Aw come on!” Miko groans. “All those years you spent together, you’ve seriously felt nothing?”

“Miko… you know what… okay fine I did.”

Miko’s eye lit up with excitement, but her demeanor didn’t change. “Are you for real or are you just saying that to make me shut up?”

You sighed again, “No. I did at a point have feelings for Bulkhead.”

“What happened? Why’d you stop? Come on Y/N I gotta know! Please!” Miko began to plead nonstop.

“Okay okay fine, but you need to swear to never EVER say a word to anyone, or Bulkhead himself. Do you understand?”

Miko nods repeatedly, “Yes yes I swear! Tell me!”

“Well… I do NOT have feelings for him.”

Miko groaned loudly, “Y/N seriously!”

“I don’t Miko… I just, never gotten around to that kind of stuff, he’s a great friend and I admire him a lot but that’s the furthest I’ve come across as feelings wise,” you said. “I need you to understand that okay?”

Miko sighed, “I get it…but be honest have you had crushes on anyone?”

“…Maybe a few.”

Miko gasped, “WHO? OH PLEASE TELL ME!”

“Alright I’ll humor you… there was this one bot-“

Com link: Y/N back to base

Y/N: Copy. On the way back.

“You ready to see Bulkhead Miko?” You asked, slightly wanting to change the subject but you know Miko wasn’t going to let it go so easily.

“Yup, but do continue about this bot that captured your attention.”

[Back at base]

The kids went room for the night and everyone went off to go into recharge and rest up for the night, everyone except the medic himself.

You walked up to him slowly making sure not to spook him. But he noticed you rather quickly. Ratchet looked at you for a brief moment then turned back to his work. “Shouldn’t you be in recharge?”

“Shouldn’t you be doing the same thing?” You asked stepping beside him and looking at what he was doing.

“I’m working.”

“I can see that,” you hummed turning to look at the medic. “Was the Bulkhead thing really necessary Ratchet?”

“What? And have Miko running around and talking about you and me? Absolutely not,” Ratchet huffed.

“Right…”

Ratchet stopped his work to face you. You went around him and turned off his monitor, he glared at you, “Y/N I needed that.”

“As much as you need me?” You asked moving closer to him. Ratchet stumbled for a moment then smiled shaking his helm, “Not nearly as much as I need you.”

“That’s what I thought, now Ratchet be honest with me, are jealous of Bulkhead?”

Ratchet scoffs, “As if I-“

“Ratchet.”

“Okay fine, maybe just a little… I’ve seen the way he looks at you now and I just- I don’t know…”

You place your servo on Ratchet’s chest plate and gave him a gentle smile, “He’s adorable sure but you’re the one that has my attention and that will never change Ratchet. Even if Miko annoys me until the bitter end.”

Ratchet laughed and rolled his optics, “Maybe telling her won’t be such a bad idea after all.”

“Perhaps,” you agreed. “But you’re not gonna do that are you doc?”

“Nope absolutely.”

387 notes · View notes

haarrrys · 11 months

Note

Hey! Would you write something about Amani getting her first period?

growing up 🍓

wc - 1.4k

🏷️ tags - dad!harry, singledad.harry, minor angst¿, dad!harry × amani, and of course, fluff.

pairings - singledad!harry & daughter!amani 🍪 🥛

summary - amani gets her first period

(a/n)- sweet sweet anon who sent the request months ago, tysm for being patient with me. im so sorry for my laziness lol

more harry and amani!

a knock rang throughout the room, startling sarah. "who is it?" she called, setting her sage green nail polish onto a nearby dresser.

she figured it could be room service, just wanting to clean, or the lunch she ordered.

"it's me— amani." sarah heard, just as she got closer to the door. sarah smiled, opening it. "hey love— is everything alright?" she asked, growing more concerned as she took in amani's worried face— as well as her paled complexion, that replaced her usual tan.

it wasn't unnatural for amani to come stay with sarah in her suite, as harry, her father, and the rest of the guys normally took up harry's room, causing ruckus.

sarah usually stayed in her own room, with her baby, accompanied by amani, who could always use some girl time.

but, what was unnatural was the way amani shyly walked into her room, scouting the room incase anyone else was present before speaking.

"it's just me and max," sarah assured, referring to the sleeping boy in the middle of the bed.

amani sighed, "i think.. i think I started my period." she winced, her breathing picking up as she revealed it. sarah gasped, her expression softening while a smile broke out onto her face.

"awhh, that's a good thing! it's natural, you're growing up! I can't believe it." she smiled, hugging the girl. "here, come follow me. i think i still have some stuff left." she said, pulling away from the hug and walking towards the unnecessarily large bathroom.

she opened the drawer, skimming through some thing before finding two boxes of pads and tampons.

"okay, so, since it's your first time I suggest using pads— just cause they're easier, but if you wanna use the tampons..?" sarah said. amani blushed, "ill just use the pads."

"alright! that's okay. do you know how to put one on? I don't know if harry explained it to you." sarah asked, causing amani to smile. "he tried, but he knows as much about periods as I do—nothing." she laughed, making sarah join in with her.

"that's fine, I can show you if you want." sarah offered. amani shook her head, feeling embarrassed, "i can figure it out." she dismissed.

sarah smiled sadly, "amani, it's normal to feel weird.. or even uncomfortable about these things, but almost every girl goes through it. you don't have to feel embarrassed, especially not with me, okay?" she explained, making amani smile sheepishly.

times like this, she wishes she did have a mother to talk about puberty, periods, and just her body changing, but she's thankful that she has someone who is basically a mother figure— sarah.

of course, harry tries his best to fill that role, especially now that amani's actually growing into a woman— however, she just feels more comfortable talking to someone who can relate to her.

"thank you," she whispered.

sarah smiled, as if to say a silent 'your welcome.'

"oh and sarah—can you get me underwear? and different pants?" amani sighed. sarah only then noticed the sweater tied around her waist, likely used to cover a stain.

"of course! your dads still in the room right?"

"yea, he'll let you in but..can you just not tell him?" amani said, her face reddening once again.

"oh, love, did you want to tell him yourself?" sarah questioned, eyebrows furrowed slightly.

amani shrugged in response. she had no plan whatsoever of telling him.

sarah sighed. "you know, you have to tell him eventually. it'll be worse if he finds out by himself, probably more embarrassing." she smiles.

amani shakes her head, "i'm scared." she admits, hiding her face in her hands.

sarah frowns, "scared? of what? he'll probably cry a little, but that's just cause his little girl is growing up."

amani laughed at that, imagining her dad in tears over her starting her period— a likely event.

"maybe he'll think it's gross— I don't know." she sighed. "im probably just overthinking it."

"you are. he won't find it gross, I promise. now, do you wanna tell him, or do you want me to?"

"you can tell him."

"she started her what?!" harry gasped, suddenly feeling uneasy on his feet.

sarah smacked his shoulder, putting her index finger to her lips, shushing him. "her period harry. menstruation? time of the month? flowers? quiet down if you don't want amani to be embarrassed when the whole hotel knows her business."

harry sighed, steadying himself as he took a seat.

"..why didn't she tell me first? is she alright?" harry frowned, his head gears turning faster than he could register. his daughter had started her period— but didn't go to him first. why? had he done something wrong?

sarah shook her head,"she's okay, calm down. it's just easier to talk about periods with people who've actually had them harry, it's not personal." she laughed, reassuring him, although she knew he'd still worry.

harry, who still had a deep frown on his face nodded.

he understands how awkward it would've been for her to tell him— but as a singe!parent, he feels shitty that she went to someone else, instead of her dad.

"okay.." harry sighed, wiping the tears that began to well up in his eyes. "i need to buy stuff right? what do i get?" he asked, already making a mental note of the stuff he knows gemma gets.

"pads, tampons, heating pad, ice-cream, and a little stuffed animal. 'always'and 'tampax' are really good brands. oh, and make sure you get different sizes for different levels of blood flow." sarah instructed.

harry nodded along, keeping everything she said in mind.

"I'm gonna go and get her clothes now." sarah said. "oh and harry?"

he perked up.

"she's okay. this is apart of her growing up. don't go haywire and coddle her."

that afternoon, after amani was all situated, she stayed with sarah and max for awhile, before heading back to her suite she shared with her dad, harry.

as soon as amani walked in, she was met with her dad, who's face lit up proudly.

harry walked over to her, but it seemed like he himself had just gotten back. he was carrying bags, unbeknownst to amani, full of period products.

"I got everything you need, love." he said, holding out the bag for her. she could see boxes full of everything and more that's she would need, as well as snacks that he didn't need to, but wanted to buy for her.

amani blushed, feeling embarrassed yet loved. she had never expected that her period would be such a big deal to harry, or that he would even know what to buy for her.

he'd always been a little, over the top some may say, but still her dad's reaction took her by surprise. he was smiling, looking at her with love and warmth in his eyes. he wasn't even upset with her that she didn't tell him first.

when he noticed how out of place she looked, he smiled softly.

"hey, it's okay, amani. you don't have to be embarrassed," he said, handing her the bag full of goodies, that he'd definitely not let her indulge in on a regular day, being the health nut dad he is. "it's normal. you're growing up and becoming a woman now. couldn't feel anymore more prouder."

amani felt her heart pounding in her chest. she had never thought he would be this understanding and supportive. but as she thought of it, why wouldn't he be? all her life, no matter what she decided to do, her dad was always there backing her up.

she realized, her fear of telling him was irrational.

"thank you dad." she whispered, taking the bag from him and hugging him tightly.

harry hugged her back, holding her close.

"you're my daughter and I'm always here for you. I'm proud of you," he said, as tears started to well up in his eyes.

amani wasn't surprised by his emotional reaction, more so, she surprised herself when she also began to cry. she couldn't help feeling happy and loved. in that moment, she realized that the bonds of parenthood are not only about love, but also about understanding and support.

she was grateful to have harry as her dad and sarah as another woman in her life who filled the missing role in her life, and she knew that they would always be there for her, no matter what.

thank you so much for reading! ☕️ 🤍

requests are always open!

-fic rec masterlist-

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onebraincell-itmiebcraft · 21 days

Text

Okay time for the liveblogging of real life in order (liveblogging life SMP call that lifeblogging) I have never done this b4 be easy on me

Grian

I've already watched his perspective at like 5 in the morning but heyyyyy nothing wrong with rewatching with added non sleep deprived commentary but also not really memories of what I originally thought watching this too :^))

I remember being so stunned they called it real life and the anatomically correct heart 🫀tickled my funny bone heeheehoo hahaha

Thought when grian said replay 3rd life I thought they'd reenact it 😭

We live in a society taxes man (I could ramble about it)

GRIAN IRL FACE!!!

has anyone fell over btw?

No lie that B can BIG

Reminds me of slimecicle jshitt and traves VR Minecraft where Travis got progressively shorter what a laugh

Does Scott ever see his scream

Is it take the Mick or take the nick love that idiom

RENDOG!

Scar looks like a child doing that thing

Awww hug

ABUSE

scar take the headset off dzuh 🫀🫀🫀

Grian literally me balance issues

Yugioh????

I called it, scar would say he's American 😎

I'm eating dinner while watching this at the same time what fun w

Giran called solidaritygaming jimmy no way + he died first fr this time + loud "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Perfectly timed his mic peaking is iconic

Ha haa!

He ear him bread

Really putting the mine in craft for Minecraft

reminds me of secret life EP 4 and scar is sweaty

*scar noises*

How did scar drop his phone???

Check your wrist? More like check your a- (tom cardy référence)

I love the way VR makes you hit stuff goofy

Can you run in game if you irl

(watch him die)

Haha he died

Why Jim is he sabotaging him

Jim Jim Jim gym gym

Doesn't Jim die here oh LMFAO he does

Jimmy you are famous to me

(scout voice) Chicken

How did scar die???

I love how vr makes them expressive Jim pointing to village house is so funny

There's only one bed

Wtf is happening in top right corner in 9min 30 sec

Ayyyyy there's grian the maniac love the casual position of the arms

Last life you can join me moment

Egg

Grian gaslighting

Jimmy you wanna dance quote of the year

PvP is so silly

Skizz is fighting a losing battle Jim killed him icon

I love how grian and Jim's yells overlap there's probably something music theory there idk

Awww scar he's so funny

Go pick him up from daycare haha

Facing away from the camera we live in a society

OHHHHH impulse big smart man Jimmy's arm movements are so smooth it's solly

Jimmy immediately leaving for fish cocomelon brain I agree

Love the arm movements

Lol they actually like down

It's okay grian scuffed is worth celebrating

Has anyone layed on their side

Friend just texted me about my monologue what am I doing man I have an audition tomorrow

Anyway Minecraft vr

The lying down model inventory so goofy

Rewatching the bread scene no wonder tumblr loves it looks like Jim jam actually has a mouth 👄

Impulsesv guess the build sheep flashbacks

Best sleepover

Polyamorous tony (died)

Sleepover reminds me of crazy Christmas w/gem and pearl

Grown men learn how to close doors

Minecraft fatshaming grian smh my head

Man thought it was more than Joel there + o2 max(xing) scar love it (i use maxxing ironically) (it's such a stupid suffix to me linguistically funny) (I hate incels) (don't cancel me tumblr) (I love all genders)

Two steps: die, and die

Jimmy isn't on fire??

Casual "it burns so much!" Love it

Wait right Jim still has a wooden sword

Joel Joel Joel Joel you know that one part in waiting for Godot where they just go back and forth in saying aideu yeah

So silly

Jim saying get in British people man

"noffing" - joel is it a British thing

Love Joel screaming he's so malding

Just remembered how scary heights are in VR because I thought for a second "why don't they jump down? are they stupid?" (Meme Reference) (Didn't actually think that) ("Stupid" is kinda stupid but I digress)

Hole

Boob stroke

Does scar enjoy the swimming

Why *does* swimming cause motion sickness anyway

Why bucket scar (this is a bucket)

Brain eating amoeba

GOON SQUAD!!!

Love Grian's arm movements I really did thonk Jim was gonna win for the funnies

He says come here weirdly

The joy of killing

Is Jim punching

It's okay hiking simulation

Go Jim go what a gamer boy

I remember the triple dog door dugout is like... Gem's? Joel's? Uhhhh I fotgor

Concussion era

Fresh meat

I just love their dynamics

JIM STOP SOUNDING LIKE THAT it's like his eyes are 🥺 and his mouth is boowomp spongebob like he's got tears in eyes scrimblo sounding ass

Ohhh there's my favourite theatre kids

'orrible

Joel saying boys make me happy

Wait that can misinterpreted

Joel saying "boys" sounds pleasant to my ears

I remember watching this part and going GRIAN FIRST OUT HUH???

awww the funnies

Love the way gem says "we're the last Grians. Grians? Greens!" It's like... Spunky

Grian falling reminds me of my scuffed keyboard when it registers a button press as a hold and then I like never stop walking right *sigh*

The downward spiral by nine inch nials

Ascending is TRUE watcher lore

Oh the music is so cute

Bye scar! Bye Joel!

Okay never let me liveblog cook again i kinda listened to the vid instead of watching reading this does not make sense to anyone but me reference hell half formulated thoughts RIP BOZO HAHA

Maybe I'll like do it in 5 mins chunks for JJJJJJoel and the next ones onward I spent like an hour on this wayyyyy too long for incomplete sentences

End

#real life smp #real life #real life spoilers #rlsmp #grian #liveblogging #life series #life smp #trafficblr #what is wrong with me #rlsmp liveblogging

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m-jelly · 1 year

Note

Oh yeah for the dom reader x Levi he doesn’t have to be a brat or what I meant by that is him being like needy yk? Purposely doing things for attention and being grumpy until we give him attention

@kenkopanda-art <3

I need attention

Pairing: Levi x Fem!Reader

Genre and tags: Canon world, fluff, romance, being a couple, grumpy Levi, cuddly Levi.

Concept: Levi comes over to your workshop with paperwork. He sits with you as you make and designs soaps to possibly sell at your shop. Levi is desperate for your attention, but he's not sure how to ask for it. Levi makes a lot of noises and moves around you a lot until you finally take notice and ask him what's going on. Levi asks for your attention and affection, which you happily give.

Taglist: @ladycheesington @levisbrat25 @skittlelover69 @li-anne @nyxiieluna @nbinairyn @strawberrybunny123 @notgoodforlife @galactict3a @demonsimp6

Levi blushed when he saw you sitting behind your desk in your workshop making little designs for some new soaps. He squeezed his paperwork against his chest and thought about kissing you or getting a nice hug. He wanted to be held by you as you played with his hair. He needed the contact and the reassurance that you truly loved him.

He needed contact.

He slipped into your workshop and stopped his boots so you knew he was there. He felt his heart race when you gave him a quick glance. A hot blush absorbed his cheeks when you softly smiled at him. He adored your attention and getting it made his world fall into place.

You hummed a little laugh. "Morning Levi, you here to do paperwork for the scouts?"

Levi nodded. "Tch, yeah. Erwin said I could."

You reached with your elegant hand that Levi craved to be on his skin and referred to a vacant desk and seat. "Make yourself at home, sweetheart."

Levi trudged over to the desk and slumped down into the seat. A pout slowly appeared on his face when you returned to your work. He slapped his paperwork onto the desk and stared at you. He watched you check some herbs, fruit and flowers. He admired how lovingly you worked. You adored what you did and Levi loved that.

He shifted his papers and began working through it all. He released a long sigh hoping you would make a comment. He flicked his gaze up from his work to you, but his sigh did not rouse your attention.

Levi drummed his fingers on the table hoping that would work. Levi had drummed his fingers before on a table and it had grabbed Erwin's attention, along with his other friends. However, it didn't seem to work for you.

He started working on his papers but the frustration of not having you pay attention to him was growing. He slapped his hands on the table and stood up quickly causing his chair to shoot out. He stared at you, but you didn't react.

Levi stormed over to your tea area and called your name. "Tea?"

You slowly lifted your head. "Mm? What was that?"

"Tea."

You flinched. "Oh! Sorry! Yes, please."

Levi huffed and made two cups of tea. He placed yours by you on your desk. He stayed standing near you and just watched you work. He reached over and grabbed a few things you were working on. He was thinking you'd watch him, but you just kept working and let him inspect a few things.

He was beginning to get frustrated now. He put his drink down before grabbing the back of your chair and yanking you away from your desk. He stared at you as you looked a little surprised and flustered. He blushed bright red as stared at you.

You frowned a little. "Levi?"

Levi pouted. "I need you."

"Need me?" You smiled at him. "Use your words, Levi. What do you want from me?" You reached up and caressed his cheek. "Tell me."

He whined and leaned into your touch. "Your attention. I want your attention. I want you to hold me and play with my hair." He blushed bright red and avoided your gaze. "Please."

You hummed a laugh at how sweet Levi was. You stood up and wrapped your arms around your boyfriend. You played with his hair as you softly kissed the side of his head. "Of course. Do you want to cuddle on my sofa here?"

Levi clung to you. "Yes."

You released him and led him to your break room area. You sat down and let Levi use your lap as his pillow. You smiled as he pressed his face against your stomach. You played with his hair as you drank your tea. You adored how sweet the famous grumpy captain was. You loved him more than anything and you knew he loved you more than life itself.

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dont-f-with-moogles · 1 year

Note

Hi! I am a sucker for hc where Levi is illiterate when he first joined the scouts, tried to hide it from everyone but eventually Hange notices..LEVIHAN FLUFF ❤️✋💀

This was an awesome ask! Thank you so much for sending it to me. I love writing canonverse, especially when I get the chance to work in a hc amongst the source material. I added some of my hcs for Hange too. Hope you like it - let me know what you think! A World Without Words Characters: Levi x Hange Word Count: 1632 words Canon universe

A hush had settled over the Mess Hall, broken only by the occasional clinking of cutlery and low hum of voices. A pair of fresh recruits were heatedly debating a topic in low, urgent tones. The newly-appointed leader of Second Squad sat staring into an empty tankard. On the far side of the room Hange had taken a lone seat at one of the long, wooden tables. Their hands were clasped upon the tabletop; in front of them a plaid tea towel had been draped over two dishes. Eyes alight, they spied Levi as he entered through the main doors. Slyly, and without turning their head, Hange mapped his progress as he crossed the hall towards them.

“Evening, Levi!” they began animatedly before he had even reached for the backrest of the closest chair. “Now, I know this dinner is seriously overdue, given how long it’s been since your first expedition…”

Levi scraped his chair against the flagstones noisily, causing several heads to whip around in their direction.

“...I’m sorry that I couldn’t afford anywhere more fancy! My measly wages just don’t stretch that far,” Hange laughed. “But luckily, I was able to save us -” Theatrically, they flung back the plaid cloth to reveal two floral-patterned plates bearing thick slices of flaky pastry, each deep-filled with cold offcuts.

“The last two pieces of pie!”

“You needn’t have gone to any trouble,” Levi said in a low voice. “I’m not hungry.”

Hange’s hand dropped to the table in defeat. “So much for that then. I guess I could always give the other slice to Moblit…”

Levi took a seat beside Hange, one arm leaning on the table’s edge. “You brought those papers, right?”

“Right! The purchase order forms.”

Hange reached down to retrieve several crumpled sheets, a pen nib and a small well of ink from their bag. They pushed the plates aside and laid the materials out between the two of them.

“I’ve been curious since you mentioned it, Levi… what exactly do you need these for?”

Levi leaned back so that his elbow rested on the back of his chair. “Well… since I’ve been made Captain, it means I’ve gotta sign formal papers, right? Let’s just say someone suggested I take a look at a few examples.”

“Ah, then say no more!” Hange brought the top sheet closer, tracing the lines of cramped, untidy scrawl with their finger. “The item you’re ordering goes in this column, reference or serial number if needed in the second column, and then the cost goes here.” Their finger travelled to the bottom of the paper. “Then you need to sign and date it before it goes to Erwin for approval.”

Hange sat back as Levi pored over the contents of the page. “Do you use the same form for everything? Food, equipment - things like that?”

“The same type of form, sure, but you would order food provisions separately to, say, housekeeping supplies or weaponry.” Hange pushed their glasses further up their nose. Levi’s brow was furrowed in concentration as he read, his mouth silently shaping the letters. Hange felt compelled to offer an apologetic shrug.

“This one is for specialist equipment,” they tried meekly. “The top row says ‘microscope.’ It’s not easy to read thanks to my bad handwriting!”

Without reply, Levi shuffled the papers so that a bank sheet was placed beside Hange’s order form. His expression, if anything, grew more intense as he dipped the pen into the inkwell. Hange glanced around the sparse hall, listening to the scratching of Levi’s writing amidst the murmur of voices. It was only as he drew to a sudden halt that Hange looked down at the page. They were astonished to see it empty.

At first, Hange wondered whether the pen nib had finally broken. It was one they had long meant to throw out. But - no - Levi had only managed to produce a few disjointed letters before the pen had come to a rest, point-down on the page. His arm was trembling as he pressed the nib down hard. The metal buckled, threatening to snap.

“Levi!” Hange grabbed the tea towel to mop up the ink which had spurted onto the paper. “Stop - you’ll tear a hole in it!”

But Levi was still glaring, the pen clutched in his whitened fist. All of a sudden, Hange felt like a fool. They removed the towel, twisting it upon their lap as they sought for a tactful way to address the obvious, but unanticipated, obstacle which lay before them.

“Sorry. Perhaps one of Miche’s reports would have been easier - clearer - to follow.”

Hange swallowed uncomfortably, the heat rising in their cheeks.

“No.” Levi’s voice was calm, at odds with his squared shoulders and stiffened arm. “It’s not the handwriting.”

“Then… I’m sorry that I didn’t make the connection.” Despite their desire to avoid any further embarrassment for him, Hange could not help but scrutinise Levi’s writing. “I’m sure things in the Underground were very different when it came to education…”

Levi met their enquiring gaze, his eyes narrowed.

“I can read and write. I know the words I need,” Levi dropped the pen upon the table. “But when it comes to certain technical words like these…” He gestured at the paper. “...they never mattered as much. In that place, you didn’t need to know how to spell to go on living.”

“That makes sense.” Hange’s own shoulders relaxed a little. “Perhaps you never had a formal education, Levi, but you have combat skills and street smarts. You’re good at reading people.”

Levi scoffed bitterly.

“Believe me when I say that Erwin doesn’t hire leaders based on their literacy levels.” Hange regarded him warmly over their clasped hands. “Not when they have so much more to offer.”

Levi held their look for a moment before he glanced away uncomfortably.

“And in the meantime, I can help!” Hange took a fresh sheet of paper from their bag and passed it to Levi for him to etch out a copy of the three columns.

“For instance when you write ‘grapple hook,’ ‘grapple’ has the ‘l’ and the ‘e’ the other way round.” Hange watched as Levi carefully transcribed the correct spelling onto the sheet.

“Underneath you wrote ‘gas’ before you stopped. Is that for a new batch of gas cylinders?”

Painstakingly, Levi copied each letter as Hange spelled the second word. They continued in this way until Levi had populated the columns.

“I bet you picked all this up from books, huh Four Eyes?” Levi lifted his hand to check his penmanship. The letters were a little uneven and spaced out. Like a child’s writing, the dark ink glistened from the exertion of pressing the pen nib a little too hard against the paper. “Tell me you weren’t huddled under the covers each night, reading until morning?”

A wistful smile appeared on Hange’s face. Then the light dimmed in their eyes.

“I wish…” When they laughed this time, it was a hollow sound. “... but we didn’t have books at home.”

Levi placed the pen down. Hange lowered their hands to grip their knees, their gaze averted to the tabletop.

“I managed to get a couple of books from a trader in town. They were black market goods. I thought I’d hidden them well enough but my parents found them and burned them.”

Levi raised his eyebrows.

“Wallists,” Hange explained in answer to his surprise. “They were simple farming folk. Small town people with small minds. They were wary of outside influences and with good reason too. Each week came reports of disappearances, killings… the inescapable fates which awaited those who asked too many questions.”

They gave a small sigh.

“My school, like the others, banned all books other than those which were government-approved. We weren’t allowed to read for ourselves, think for ourselves or question what we were being told. It was all so -” They brought their fist down upon the table, sending the long-forgotten plates of pie clattering. “- infuriating!”

Levi’s mouth hung slightly open.

“We never really had books in the house either,” he admitted. “I remember there was one that Iz-” He stopped himself. Hange said nothing, for Levi had not so much as uttered the names of his two closest friends since their first disastrous expedition almost one year ago.

Levi drew a breath and continued.

“We didn’t have much… what we did have was either traded or sold.” He rubbed an eye with the heel of his hand. “I can’t even remember what it was called now. I think it had a horse on the cover? Guess it’s just another lost thing.” A faraway look had come into his eyes.

Before Hange could offer comment, Levi seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts. He took up a fresh sheet and, laying it by the side of the first, began to copy out his lines neatly. Hange watched in quiet amazement.

“But look at this improvement already! I’ve never seen such progress before!” They gripped Levi’s shoulder.

“Careful, idiot! You’ll jog me.”

Hange released him and continued their proud observation as Levi dipped the pen in the inkwell. “Your writing is so neat, Levi. In a few more tries it’ll look as professional as newspaper print!”

Levi completed his final line slowly.

Above, approved. Levi.

“No thanks to this mess of a report.” Levi glowered at Hange’s original document. “...but I do owe you for the spelling lesson, at least. Thanks Hange.”

“Hmm.” Hange tapped a finger against their chin. “How about this then? You treat us to dinner next time. Call it payment for my tuition?”

Levi managed a husky laugh as he stood and gathered the papers into a pile.

“Let me think about that, Four Eyes. For now, I’d better go hand these in.”

#writing asks #asks open - send me your headcanons however brief or detailed!#levi ackerman #hange zoe #they/them pronouns for Hange #levihan #It's easy to imagine that Levi wouldn't have much practice reading or writing unless it was absolutely necessary #they talk about maths in ACWNR and Isabel comments that food > numbers and learning in the underground #or something along those lines #and it's canon in the Smartpass stories that he wanted to see examples of reports to work on his penmanship after he got promoted #so there are these little details out there #there's nothing on Hange's parents being Wallists - that's all me #I envisage that this is where they get their curiosity from #because no one else was ever bold enough to ask the important questions #attack on titan #snk #my writing

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november-rayne · 9 months

Text

Chapter Twenty-Four: Brother Mine

Summary: The long ride back to the palace has put Thor in a contemplative mood.

Word Count: 2375

Rating: Mature

*This story is for mature audiences only.* 18+

*Minors DNI*

Tags: Super fluff

Chapter Index

The healer had come shortly after breakfast to ensure Loki was well enough to ride and check his wounds. He was healing nicely with no sign of infection. The deepest gashes were still closing, but the more superficial ones looked like shiny pink lines on his back and side. His broken ribs and bruised muscles were still causing him quite a bit of pain, and he was instructed to wear the sling until the wedding.

The ride back to the capital was not a pleasant one. The jostling of the horse along the terrain ignited his pains. It was all made worse by the hangover that plagued him as well.

“I recall swearing to myself that I would never drink again after my last hangover.” Loki squinted toward his brother, who was riding beside him. Guards on horseback flanked them as they rode behind the King and his protectors, the Einherjar. Scouts had ridden ahead to ensure safe passage for the party.

The guests consisted of nearly fifty men: close friends of the princes, lesser members of the royal family, members of the royal court, and Loki’s future father-in-law and his entourage. With the addition of security and servants, the procession was quite large.

Thor had insisted that he be the one to provide the coin for all the food and drink and was even hands-on in planning the event itself, right down to the sleeping arrangements.

“Alas, we all make that promise to ourselves, only to break it as soon as the next celebration rolls around. Did you enjoy yourself, Brother?”

“As much as I can remember. How about you?”

“Ah, yes! From what I can remember.” They laughed together, “Loki, I am so sorry you got hurt. I should have been closer to your side.”

“It is no one’s fault. The Lord could not have known the biggest boar we have ever seen would choose that exact moment to come charging out of the brush. He had just set his weapon down to take a piss.” Loki shook his head at the memory.

“And here I thought, ‘Getting caught with your pants down’ was just an expression.” Thor laughed and then was serious after a moment, “The Lord would not have survived if you had not been watching his back.”

“The fates were looking out for us. I meant what I said. I am not nearly ready to take up the mantle of Warden yet. I hope to have a few sons first, raise them here in the capital before I must move to the North.” Loki looked over to find Thor staring at him, “What is it?”

“I am just trying to picture you as a father. My baby brother will be a husband in two days and a dad, Norns willing, shortly after that. It is difficult to wrap my mind around.”

“At some point, you will have to stop referring to me as your baby brother. Younger brother is more appropriate.”

“We will both be great-grandfathers, and you will still be my baby brother, baby brother.”

Thor laughed, “I clearly remember the night you were born. Nanny woke me and brought me to our parent’s chambers. Most of the royal court were loitering in the hallway, waiting for news of the queen. I remember feeling very grown-up, like I had very important business with the King, to be awoken in the middle of the night and ushered past very important adults…”

Young Prince Thor rubbed his small fists against his bleary eyes before sitting up in bed. “What did you say, Nanny?”

“I said the King requests your presence, little Prince. We must not keep him waiting.”

“Why does Father request my presence in the middle of sleep time?” Thor asked while his nanny helped him into his slippers and the dressing gown that matched his pajamas.

“The Queen has delivered the baby, My Prince. We are on our way to see your new brother or sister.”

Thor’s little heart started pounding in his chest as he jumped up and down in the nursery, “The baby is here? In Asgard?”

“Of course, in Asgard, silly Prince. Where else would it be?”

“Well, it was still in Mother’s tummy this morning.” He shrugged his tiny shoulders.

“Come along.” The nanny laughed, “Your parents are waiting on you.”

Thor took her hand as she led him down the corridor to his parent’s chambers. Seeing all the adults outside their doors, he looked up to his nanny for reassurance. She smiled down at him and gave his hand a little squeeze. Thor stood up straighter and jutted his little chin out as the adults bowed to him as he passed.

Once inside the doors, his nanny kneeled to his level. She straightened the collar on his robe and tried to flatten his cowlick to no avail.

“We must look our best to meet your new brother or sister. You ready?”

Thor could only nod; he was suddenly very nervous. He had never seen a baby before. Not in real life, anyway. Mother had shown him some picture books about babies but told him their baby might not look the same because all babies were different. She also told him he would not be allowed to play with the baby because he would be much bigger and stronger than them. Thor thought babies sounded boring, but his mother said that the baby would get bigger and he would be allowed to play with it someday.

Nanny knocked on the bed chamber door. A nurse answered and led them inside. The Queen was propped up in bed. She looked tired and sweaty. “Hello, my handsome boy. Come and hug me.”

Thor bowed quickly before running full speed and jumping onto the bed. “Easy…easy. Be gentle.” Thor gently crawled up to his mother’s outstretched arms.

“Are you sick, Mother? Did you vomit the baby out?” He looked at her belly. It was a lot smaller than it had been at breakfast.

Odin’s laughter broke his reverie. Thor looked up to see his father standing over a large wicker basket on legs. The King had not bothered to look up from whatever was in the basket.

“No, sweetheart, I am not sick. But it is a lot of work to deliver a baby. I will be just fine. I just need lots of naps and cuddles.”

“Okay.” Thor snuggled closer to his mother.

“Come, Thor.” The King walked to his side of the bed. “Do you want to see your new baby brother?”

“Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!” Thor sprung off the bed and into the King’s arms.

“Ooof. What are they feeding you?”

“Lots of things, Father. Nanny says if I eat all my vegetables, I will be as big and strong as you one day. So, I eat extra so I can be bigger.” Thor grinned at his father as he wrapped his little arms around his neck.

“I think you will be bigger and stronger. All Asgard will bow to the mighty Thor!” Thor shrieked as Odin tickled his belly.

A tiny cry came from the basket. Thor’s head snapped immediately to the other side of the room. “Oh dear,” Odin said, “we have woken the baby. Shall we go check on him?” Thor was suddenly nervous again.

“Yes.”

Odin carried Thor over to the bassinet. He looked down to see a tiny pink face peeking out of a swaddling of blankets. “Thor, this is Loki, your baby brother. Can you say hello to Loki?”

“Hello, Loki.” Thor waited for a response; he leaned over further. “I said hello, Loki. My name is Thor.” Loki responded by sucking on his fist. Thor looked at his father and shrugged a shoulder. “I do not think he is very smart.”

Odin shook with laughter, “Well, not yet. We must teach him.”

“Oh.” So far, Thor was unimpressed and unsure why he had to be pulled from his bed for this.

“All babies are like this when they are born. You were too. That is why we must help him learn and grow. What are you going to teach Loki, dear?” Frigga asked from the bed.

Odin sat Thor gently on the bed beside his mother. “Ummm. I can teach him games!”

“That sounds lovely! See, you are going to be a wonderful big brother.” Frigga kissed his head, “Would you like to hold the baby?”

“I guess so.”

Odin picked Loki up from the bassinet and sat on the bed's edge. “Now, you must be extremely gentle, Thor. Loki’s muscles are very weak. He cannot even hold his head up. You must keep your hand on the back of his head like this.”

“Okay.” Odin un-swaddled Loki and laid him across Thor’s lap.

“He’s squishy.” Thor poked Loki’s cheek. As he stared at the pink, wiggly baby in his lap, he patted the smattering of black curls on the top of his head. He picked up one of the tiny feet. His legs were small and skinny, and his toes were tinier than gravel pebbles. Thor could not imagine how he could grow big enough to play with him. He was about to ask his father to take him back when Loki reached up and wrapped his whole hand around one of Thor’s fingers. His breath caught in surprise. Loki gurgled.

“He’s trying to talk!”

“He wants to tell you that he loves you and is happy you are his big brother.”

“Oh,” Thor’s little heart swelled. “I love you too, baby brother. I will always protect you. And I will teach you everything you need to know. I will show you all my best hiding spots. And I will teach you games, and we will play them when you are bigger. Eat all your vegetables so you can grow faster, okay?”

Loki cooed. Thor’s face lit up.

“He is learning, Mother! He is trying to talk to me!”

Odin and Frigga exchanged a smile. Thor leaned over and kissed the baby on the forehead. “Can we take him back to the nursery now? Can he sleep in my room?”

“Not quite yet. Loki needs to stay close to Mother for a while. You see, he has no teeth yet.” Odin pulled down Loki’s tiny lip to reveal his pink gums. “He can only drink milk from the nurse or your mother.”

Thor’s face scrunched up. “Like the foals in the stables?”

“Yes, precisely.”

Loki started rooting for Odin’s finger near his mouth. He let out a frustrated cry when Odin released his lip.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“I believe he is getting hungry again.”

“He needs milk?’

Frigga untied the top of her gown, “I am going to have to take your brother from you now, sweetheart.” Thor nodded slightly as she scooped him up and put him on her breast. She held him in one arm and patted Thor’s leg with the other. Loki made tiny grunting noises as he nursed.

“He sounds like a piglet!” Thor laughed.

“Indeed, he does.” Frigga smiled.

“We should let him finish his meal in peace. How would you like me to take you back to your bed? Hmm? You can come and see Loki and Mother tomorrow before breakfast.”

“Okay.” Thor yawned. Odin moved to pick him up. “Wait! I want to say goodbye to my baby brother.” Thor grabbed Loki’s tiny hand and whispered, “Good night, baby brother, Loki. I love you.”

Odin picked Thor up, and they exited into the hallway. The gathered crowd bowed.

“The Queen has delivered a healthy baby boy!” Odin announced proudly. The crowd clapped and cheered.

“An heir and a spare!”

“Well done, Your Majesty.”

“Thank the Norns!”

The group separated as Odin and Thor passed. Nanny followed close behind.

Odin sat Thor on his bed and pulled his slippers off as he shrugged off his robe. “You did so well with Loki tonight. I am very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Father.” Thor yawned and crawled up to his pillow. “I am going to dream of more things to teach him.”

“That sounds nice,” Odin patted his shoulder. “Good night, my son. I love you.” He whispered close to his ear as he rubbed his back.

“Good night, Father.” Thor’s eyelids slid closed as he recalled the tiny hand wrapped around his finger, “Good night, baby brother.” He whispered to himself as he heard the door close behind the King.

“Are you all right?” Loki asked, bringing Thor out of his reverie.

Thor chuckled, “I am just getting sentimental. Two days… a married man. From a tiny pink piglet to someone’s husband.” Thor shook his head.

“I beg your pardon? Pink piglet? What are you on about?”

“Oh, nothing, Baby Brother,” Thor smiled at him. A smile that somehow looked both happy and sad at the same time.

Loki rolled his eyes at the moniker. “You aren’t going to start crying, are you?”

“I might.” Thor laughed, “I feel like Hel.”

Loki was quiet for a few minutes, “Thank you for doing this for me. I can tell you put a lot of thought into this event. I had a wonderful time… despite the blood and broken bones.”

“You are quite welcome, Brother. It was an honor. Thank you for choosing me.”

“Of course. You are my best friend. I love you, man.” Tears pricked Loki’s eyes.

“Who’s crying now?” Thor laughed.

Loki blinked the tears away, “Oh, shut up. I was just thinking about how many more hours we would be on this journey.”

“The hair of the dog, baby Brother?” Thor offered him a skin of ale.

Loki threw his head back and laughed, “Oh, why not?”

By the time the top of palace came into view, they had invented new drinking games that could be played on horseback, and one-handed, Loki would cheat with seiðr, of course. The brothers and their friends were singing bawdy pub songs at the top of their lungs. Laughing and japing and drunk.

Odin would look back from time to time to take in the sight of his boys getting along so well together. He was thankful that he took these three days away from work to spend time with them.

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

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XOXO - Rayne 💚

Tag List: @gigglingtiggerv2 @chantsdemarins @superficialdomina @lokischambermaid @lokisgoodgirl @acidcasualties @smolvenger @trickster-maiden @simone818283 @gruftiela @huntress-artemiss

#a gift for loki #loki #loki fanfic #loki smut #loki x sigyn #loki fandom #loki fanfiction #loki odinson #Brodinsons #loki au #logyn #thor odinson #thor #sas stories

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motownfiction · 7 months

Text

study group

After about a month, no one remembers it, but Sadie was Rocky Sullivan’s first choice for Cogito, not Will.

She wasn’t particularly thrilled by the concept. Rocky Sullivan always has out-of-this-world ideas to get ahead, to forge networks, to make himself excellent. Out of everyone who’s ever been valedictorian at St. Catherine’s, he’s the one people from all kinds of cliques and backgrounds fear. Sadie once made the mistake of asking Rocky why he settled for Michigan instead of going someplace like Harvard or Yale or even Stanford. Rocky just gave her a stern look and said, “There’s too much at stake in the Blue.”

That’s another thing about Rocky Sullivan. He speaks in riddles.

So, it wasn’t much of a surprise when Sadie discovered that the person sending her photocopied images of Descartes was Rocky Sullivan. It was, however, a surprise that Sadie agreed to meet him for coffee in the student union. Well, Rocky drank coffee. More like guzzled it. He’s been drinking coffee since he was in the sixth grade. He says he’ll sleep when he’s dead.

“And if you keep that up, you could be dead before law school,” Sadie says.

Rocky gives her another famous stern look.

“Medical school?”

Another stern look.

“Rocky, you’re not seriously going to tell me you’re uninterested in any type of professional education. I’ve known you since I was three. You make Alex P. Keaton look like Tom Hayden.”

“I admire Hayden. Man knew how to get ahead. Plus, he’s married to Barbarella, which we all wish we could be.”

“We all?”

“Doyle, if you could let me get to the point, please.”

“Proceed.”

“Thank you. I have every intention of attending business school when I’m through here. As a fall semester junior, I’m already doing preliminary work on applications. Scouting recommenders, saving up for the application fee, working on essay prompts. Did you know the essays for a business school application only have to be 100 words? Amateurs. Most of them don’t even understand the value of a liberal arts education. They’re not like us.”

Sadie chews on her straw to keep from laughing. She knows all this from Rocky’s reputation, but also from Carrie, who’s sort of really her friend these days. Carrie says that her big brother thinks he’s hot shit because he’s majoring in economics instead of general business. Maybe he’s a little bit right.

“Regardless,” Rocky says, probably oblivious to the fact that he’s interrupting no one but himself, “we need people from every major. That’s where you come in, if you’d like.”

He launches into his whole spiel. He’s starting this slightly secret society of highly intelligent and highly motivated students from every major in every college. It’s not going to be like a weird fraternity, he says, because that would be a waste of everyone’s time. It’s going to be a place where the brightest and the best can talk about their achievements, get assistance if they need it, meet each other. It sounds like a study group, or like Rocky just wants friends. By all accounts, he’s never really had those.

Sadie, by contrast, has always had friends. She’s comfortable with the small number she’s fortunate enough to keep. When she tries to explain that to Rocky, he won’t hear it.

“This isn’t a social club,” he says. “This has every advantage to your career. You might be the only delegate from the psychology major, but that means something. As soon as I heard you’d declared that way, I didn’t hesitate. I have friends in your psychology class from last winter. They said you had more original ideas than a poet on his first acid trip. I heard you pulled a perfect score on almost every paper. It’s obvious. You’re the one that I want.”

“Oh, yes, indeed?” Sadie asks.

“Yes.”

“No, I was … you’ve seen Grease, right?”

“I caught your reference. It’s just of little import to me right now. What I need to know is if you’re interested in joining Cogito or if I should move onto someone else who doesn’t deserve it as much.”

“Deserve it? Rocky, do you hear yourself? This isn’t an official fraternity or society. This is a study group that you made up.”

“It’s not a study group!”

“It’s something.”

“Yes, and it’s something important. If you’re worried about your friends, you don’t have to be. I already asked Callaghan. She jumped at the chance.”

Sadie sighs.

“Doesn’t surprise me,” she says. “If you told Lucy they were planning to carve her face into Mount Rushmore, and all they needed was her signature, she’d sign in her own blood.”

“Really?”

“Maybe. Doesn’t matter. I just … I don’t think I’m actually the right person. I don’t have that cutthroat thing that you and Lucy have. I’m … God, I don’t know how else to say it, but I think I’m just different.”

Rocky tries and fails not to roll his eyes. Sadie doesn’t blame him. It’s almost funny.

“I guess I’ll have to accept your decision,” he says. “If you’re not going to join, can you think of someone else? Someone who might be as talented as you one of these days?”

Sadie looks around the union as though that will help. But it does. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots Will with an order of fries in one hand and Elenore’s diaper bag in the other. She grins. Will is a double major – psychology and political science, just to prove he can do it. He is always looking for a leg up, a reason to feel important. And who is Sadie if not the one who gives people what they want, what will make them happy?

She fixes her eyes back on Rocky Sullivan and smiles with all her teeth.

“Yes.”

(part of @nosebleedclub september challenge -- day xviii! no, i did not intend for this scene to be this long. holy holy. but when i write for rocky sullivan, who is hilarious, things always get out of hand!)

#drabble #writeblr #ch: sadie doyle #ch: rocky sullivan #year: 1986

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okiesoapie · 2 years

Text

come wind, come weather

kaedehara kazuha x reader

table of contents

✧ i. fallen leaves (unedited)

Autumn brought many changes to the forest outside the Kaedehara Manor. The colors of the leaves turned into different shades of red, yellow and brown. They crunched under your boots as you stood poised, bow in hand and arrow nocked. Your arms were already strained from the effort of pulling back the bowstring. Yet you stayed put, patient.

A squirrel scurried across the forest floor before stopping in it’s tracks. The arrow flew towards the prey but missed, landing a few millimeters away. Groaning, you watched as the lucky squirrel scampered off into the bushes.

“It’s alright,” said Kazuha, your master and best friend. “You’ll get it next time, Maple.”

You hadn’t always been called Maple. Before you were adopted into the Momiji family, only insults were used to refer to you. Brat, street rat, dirty, vagrant. However, Mr. Momiji took you in, and from then on you had become Maple. Kazuha had thought of the name himself years ago, when the Momiji couple had brought you to the manor, filthy and unkempt from wandering in the forest.

The young Kazuha peered at you through his scarlet eyes. His smile was gentle and he hurried toward you despite your parents telling him you needed to bathe first. His round, youthful cheeks pulled upwards in a gleeful smile.

“I’m Kazuha Kaedehara, what’s your name?”

“I don’t have one,” you said matter-of-factly, the way children do. The adults looked on you sadly as your soon to be adoptive mother rubbed your back comfortingly. “Nobody calls me anything.”

Kazuha was puzzled. “Why?”

You thought for a moment. Why didn’t you have a name? It seemed that everyone else did, even this boy called Kazuha. Suddenly, tears welled up in your eyes and you started sniffling. The Kaedehara Clan Head was about to reprimand his son for being insensitive, but Kazuha spoke first.

“I’ll give you a name. Do you want one?”

Yes please, you wanted to say to the boy, but tears wouldn’t stop falling. So instead, you nodded your head eagerly. “Mmhm.”

Kazuha reached his hand to the side of your head, where a maple leaf was tangled into your hair. He brought it close to your watery eyes to show off its vibrant color.

“This is my favorite leaf, so I’ll call you Maple.”

Years later, at hunting practice, the memory made you chuckle. An older Kazuha looked at you quizzically. You had grown up with this boy and pledged loyalty to him. To be his faithful retainer once he assumes leadership over the Kaedehara clan. He had given you a name, so you would give him everything.

Kazuha, who had grown to be handsome in his teens, gives you a boyish grin. He steadies you with his hands on your shoulders and points to a fruit on a sunsettia tree. Him being so close made your breath hitch, but you willed yourself to stay calm.

“I’ll never be good at this,” you grumble more to yourself than him. Kazuha laughs and it sounds like wind chimes in the summer breeze.

“All you need is practice.” Kazuha says.

So you stand tall and nock an arrow once more, aiming for your target. The breeze picks up and you focus, pulling the bowstring taut. You release the arrow—

A perfect shot. The arrow landed right in the middle of the dummy target that was meant to be an enemy soldier. You lower your arms as General Gorou claps. He wears a toothy smile and his ears twitch, which you take as a compliment.

Yae Miko had given you a map to Watatsumi Island and a letter meant for the Priestess Sangonomiya, who had smiled once she read the it. From then on you were accepted into the resistance effort, now working as a scout under the general’s personal unit.

“That was great! At this rate, you’re even better than I am,” Gorou teases. When you first arrived didn’t realize that the Watatsumi Army would be such a welcoming place, but after meeting the other soldiers your anxiety slowly started to dissipate. The work was grueling but everyone shared in the hardship together. It was a community of like minded, driven people. All the soldiers were clothed, well-fed and taken care of to the best of the army’s abilities.

“What’s your secret, Maple?”

You paused for a brief moment, only to shrug your shoulders. The Vision on your arm cuff shone a lively green in the sunlight and the look of it made you grin despite everything.

“Practice, I guess.”

. . .

The Alcor was currently anchored by Yashiori Island. The grand ship was the only one unscathed in the midst of all the wreckage. Captain Beidou surveyed their surroundings with her good eye, then looked up at the wandering samurai who settled himself on the foremast.

“Everything okay up there, Kazuha?” She yelled boisterously, but he couldn’t hear her over the whispers of the wind. It told him danger was afoot, carrying the smell of a brewing storm. Kazuha’s instinct made his heart pound and his regrets unravel.

He had made peace with his troubled past, but it didn’t make remembering it any easier. The samurai had left everyone he had ever cared about in Inazuma, thinking he would never return. It took all of his strength and a bit of heartlessness to leave everything he had ever known.

Kazuha pulled up his sleeve to reveal a bracelet made of braided cords meant for bowstrings. He stroked every individual section with his thumb and sighed. It was a gift for his birthday, the one before the death of his father and the collapse of his family.

He never stopped thinking about you on his travels. Everywhere he set foot reminded him of the childhood you had spent together. Kazuha wonders if you are doing well. He wonders how you look now, if your smile was still the same as he remembers. He wonders if you had gotten used to his absence or forgotten all about him.

The last thought made his chest tighten, even if he had no right to feel this way. After all, he hasn’t sent you a single letter in the years he was gone. Kazuha took a deep breath. It was the right thing to do. It was for the best. He continued telling himself that even though the wind whispered otherwise.

…

🏷: @yuki1s--note

#genshin impact #genshin fanfic #genshin x you #genshin x reader #kaedehara x you #kaedehara x reader #kazuha x reader #kazuha x you #genshin kazuha

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queenofrunonsentences · 2 years

Text

Therapize me

Summary- A bucky & reader fic. No use of y/n. I kept the descriptions of the reader as limited as possible. main character is in therapy, dad is military so she’s at a gov. provided therapist in NYC. Bucky notices her service dog and wants to get one for himself.

What you can expect-

Awkward Bucky, Sassy main character. Alpine makes an appearance. Bucky's service dog is a golden retriever. Bucky doing normal people things. LOTR references, Bucky getting his groove back? idk

Heres a lil teaser bc I've seen people do that kinda thing ?

She offered him the first smile he had seen on her face since he first noticed her in the waiting room a few months back, he watched as it changed her whole face from rather intimidating to warm and welcoming. “ Oh yeah. It’s okay, she’s just alerting me to my anxiety levels. it’s not you, it’s this place. “ she offered reassuringly, gesturing to the therapist's office, not wanting him to think her anxiety was related to him.

He let out a sigh of relief, his phone buzzed a few times and she handed it back to him.”Someone named Sam texted you like 5 times in a row.”She told him “I promise I didn’t read them” she added. “Don’t worry, I don’t either.” He was only half joking. He held it between his gloved hands, awkwardly turning it over. “What is her name?” he asked, motioning to the red and white spotted spaniel at her feet. “Oh, this is Scout.” she told him, offering the dog an affectionate pat.

“ So, do you want a service dog or something more unique like a miniature pony?” She had a teasing tone to her voice now, and was offering him another smile. “ Oh definitely a pony, maybe I’ll get a rickshaw and it can pull me around the city so I don’t have to keep recharging this damn subway card.” She laughed at that and right away he decided he wanted to keep saying things that would elicit such a reaction.

An early autumn day in NYC

Her eyes were covered by sunglasses, she was listening to something on her headphones and was sitting in the chair in the strangest way he had ever seen from any human, it made his joints hurt to think about imitating it. Her hair was long, curly and up in a haphazard bun on the top of her head with a few strands falling in ringlets on either side of her face and at the base of her neck. She wore black tights under a pair of high waisted jean shorts with black converse. A flannel shirt over a tee shirt that was clearly a band but he didn’t recognize it, not that he expected to.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen her in the waiting room but it was the first time she had a service dog. The spaniel sat beside her, resting its head on her knee. This was his chance, finally a valid reason to talk to her. Bucky took a deep breath before moving from his seat across the room to the one a few down from her. He was mustering up the courage to speak when her eyes darted to him and she lifted her sunglasses to her rest in her hair. She looked him up and down obviously, one brow raised challengingly.

“Is there a reason you’re sitting so close to me?” She asked , moving to pull her headphones out. She knew who he was but was doing her best to hide it . He chuckled and shook off the bristle in her tone. “ Actually I had a question about your service animal, if you don’t mind. I’ve been thinking about getting one. If you do mind, I'll stop bothering you and just ask my friend to look it up for me.” Her face softened slowly and she shook her head. “Do you have a smartphone? I can help you look up where I got her trained.” He nodded and scrambled to pull it from his jacket. She held out her hand for his phone and as her flannel rode up he noticed her right arm was covered in tattoos.

He unlocked the phone and handed it to her, trying not to stare. He had been told many times that his eye contact could be a little intense but when he looked at her and what he heard from Sam was called resting bitch face, he figured the same might be said about her.

She pulled up the browser and tried not to look at his open tabs as she opened a new one. She typed the website in and added it to his favorites. He watched over her shoulder, noticing how her dog pressed her head into her leg “is she alerting to something?” He asked, before realizing that was probably rude. “I’m so sorry, you definitely don’t have to answer that.” He backtracked immediately,

She offered him the first smile he had seen on her face since he first noticed her in the waiting room a few months back, he watched as it changed her whole face from rather intimidating to warm and welcoming. “ Oh yeah. It’s okay, he’s just alerting me to my anxiety levels. it’s not you, it’s this place. “ she offered reassuringly, gesturing to the therapist's office, not wanting him to think her anxiety was related to him.

He let out a sigh of relief, his phone buzzed a few times and she handed it back to him. ”Someone named Sam texted you like 5 times in a row.” She told him “I promise I didn’t read them” she added. “Don’t worry, I don’t either.” He was only half joking. He held it between his gloved hands, awkwardly turning it over. “What is her name?” he asked, motioning to the red and white spotted spaniel at her feet. “Oh, this is Scout.” she told him, offering the dog an affectionate pat.

“ I’ve heard ponies can be little assholes, are you prepared for that?” He snorted and nodded, thinking of his coworkers. “ I’m pretty strong, I think I can handle it.” She raised a brow . “You should check out the equine therapy place I go to, their little shit pony would teach you a thing or two , tough guy. “ she smiled and rested her hand on her service dog's head gently.

He was seconds away from asking for her number and when he could take her out when his therapist was at the door, calling for Barnes, ready to usher him back for his session. He stood stiffly and offered her an awkward wave before following Dr Raynor back. He realized as he sat down on the couch and pulled the pillow into his lap, he didn’t even get her name.

He groaned and forced himself to focus on the session, and not whether or not it would be creepy to sit in a therapy waiting room after a session to get a stranger's number. “Alright, Therapize me, Captain” Bucky attempted to joke as Dr Raynor looked up from her notebook. “You seem to be in a good mood, I see we’ve been catching up on some more modern references. Is that from a cereal commercial?” she asked, jotting something down. He groaned and dragged a hand across his face. “Jesus Doc, with the notebook. Already? Come on”

Walking out of the waiting room afterwards he decided it would be very winter soldier behavior to stalk her, and he was trying to avoid that these days. He ran his fingers through his hair and pulled his sunglasses from the top of his head to rest on the bridge of his nose as he pushed open the front door of the building and headed back out into the hustle and bustle of the city.

When he reached his apartment he pulled out his phone , ignoring the texts from Sam and bringing up the website she had found for him, looking at all the things service dogs helped with. He read as he moved habitually around his small space, pulling out a can of cat food from the cabinet and emptying it into the bowl on the floor. A quiet meow came from under his couch as Alpine emerged, shaking his fluffy white fur before approaching his bowl to sniff at the food Bucky had chosen.

He laughed as the cat turned his nose up and walked away from the bowl. “They didn’t have chicken at the store you little brat. You can eat turkey for a week, you’ll be fine.” He moved to refill the cat's water bowl as he scrolled on his phone, filling out the application. “Would you like a nicely behaved sibling? Maybe they could teach you a thing or two.” He teased his beloved stray as he flopped down on the couch and turned on the TV for background noise. The fluffy cat let out an annoyed chirp and retreated to the bedroom, clearly irritated with the lack of ‘proper food.’ and the potential prospect of another animal joining their home.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A rainy and hot autumn day in NYC a week later

He hadn’t seen her in the waiting room before his session the next week, and resigned himself to never seeing her again. He wondered how he could go from a ladies man in the 40s to this, an awkward bumbling introvert who didn’t know how to get a dames number. He was leaning his elbows on the front counter, giving the receptionist the card he had been given by the government to pay for his regular and very expensive head shrinking sessions when he heard the jingle of a dog's collar and the door to the waiting room opened.

He tried not to be obvious and let his eyes dart to the door as soon as they walked in, but he couldn’t help himself. It was muggy today so she wore less layers than usual. She was in a navy blue t-shirt style dress with a cut out on the back that was splattered in raindrops, and a pair of doc martens. Her hair was down and wildly curly, reaching past her shoulder blades. He was finally able to see some of the tattoos that covered her right arm. It was a full sleeve and very eclectic. he couldn’t make out all of it but he noticed some writing that looked elvish, another looked like a cartoon character.

He didn’t realize he had been staring until the receptionist's voice pulled him back to reality with a curt question and a clearing of her throat “Mr. Barnes, If you don’t mind?” she was holding out his card and receipt, gesturing to the line that was forming behind him. He fumbled to take it and put the card back in his wallet, internally cursing the gloves and his limited dexterity in them. He hurried to move out of the way, his eyes pointedly fixed on his wallet.

She had taken a seat in the back corner, her legs folded up under her like usual, and he made his way to her as if on auto pilot. She raised a brow as he came to stand in front of her, hands in his pockets awkwardly. “Hi there” she offered, scratching her dog behind her ears and handing her a treat for her good behavior in the crowded space of the subway on their way there.

He took a deep breath and tried to relax before he spoke. “ I realized last time I saw you, I think I forgot something.” She glanced up from her dog with a curious but encouraging smile. “Oh yeah? What was that, asking my name or telling me yours?” she teased and he blinked at her slowly. This was not going the way he had rehearsed in the mirror.

He flushed and shuffled his feet. “Well yeah that would probably be a good start I guess. I’m James.” He cracked a wry smile, reaching into his jeans pocket to pull out his phone. “I was actually gonna ask for your number, I’m getting a service dog this week and I thought maybe next week after he’s settled in, our dogs could have a playdate or something at the park?” He stretched out his arm and offered his phone to her as he spoke.

She glanced up at him through her lashes and smiled “Wow that was actually kinda smooth.” she teased, reaching to snatch his phone from his hands, creating a new contact and adding her name and number. “Do you have a favorite flower?” he asked as she handed it back to him. She raised a brow and shook her head. “I don’t like dead plants. I’m more of a live plant kinda gal" she offered with a smile and a shrug.

He hummed in response, eyeing her curiously. She was nothing like the kind of girl he had pursued in the far distant past. Maybe that was why he was drawn to her. He was about to ask her plans for the week, and when he could see her, when her therapist emerged from the back room, calling her name.

She looked up at him expectantly and he realized he was standing in front of her blocking her path. He chuckled sheepishly and backed up to give her space. She grabbed her bag and extracted herself from the seat, tugging gently on Scout’s leash and pressing his phone to his chest firmly “Shoot me a text and we can plan that park playdate.” she called over her shoulder before walking into her therapist's office.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had taken Bucky a few hours and a phone call to Sam to draft the perfect text to send to her. His friend had laughed at him and told him to be himself, but smoother, and less grumpy, before claiming he had work to do and hanging up. He originally came up with Hey it’s James , we met at therapy. But he groaned and deleted it, starting over. Hey it's James , hope you and Scout made it home safe. What day works best for you two next week? He read it over probably 15 times before saying fuck it and hitting send.

He heard back from her about half an hour later. Hey stranger, long time no see. I have therapy Mondays then work, Scout has a vet appointment Tuesday and I work then do group therapy on Wednesday but could do Thursday or this weekend.

They texted throughout the rest of the day, making plans for that Thursday. Bucky was getting a little more comfortable with the digital communication. He still had to ask her to explain what every emoji she sent him meant, and even though she mocked him, she always did.

He fell asleep on the couch for what felt like the first time in forever, phone held loosely in his hand and Alpine curled up on his chest. She had suggested he give the office a try, he hadn’t really understood it, having never worked a job that didn’t involve violence before, but he had given it a shot, and it played quietly in the background as he slept.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When he saw her at therapy the next week he had his new companion and he was excited for her to meet him. She was sitting in the back corner with her headphones in and a nose in a book so he tugged gently on the leash wrapped around his knuckles. He moved to join her in the corner, not hesitating to fall into the chair next to hers. His elbow playfully bumping hers from the shared arm rest and she was so focused on her book that it took the jostle to break her focus. She glared up at him, expecting a stranger and ready to yell at them for invading her personal space.

He noticed her expression and raised his hands in surrender, “Easy killer, it's just us.” He joked, causing her to remove her headphones and crack a smile as he gestured to the golden retriever who sat between his feet. Her expression softened even more as she offered him a sheepish apology. He brushed it off, claiming it was his fault for sneaking up on her like he had. “Are you going to introduce me to your more handsome friend?” she joked and he scoffed.” This is Steve.” He informed her, “He’s the sweetest guy, even my moody cat likes him.”

Thanks to their week or so of constant texting they were able to fall into a relatively comfortable conversation about the shows they had been watching or books they had been reading. Bucky finally got around to asking her what she did for work. He was excited to find out she worked at the Strand, a bookstore he had gone into as a kid, but had yet to return to since being thawed.

When Dr Raynor appeared in the doorway to usher him back for their session he stood reluctantly, offering her a wave and smile, telling her he would see her in a few days, before heading back with Steve to join his therapist , ignoring the look she was giving him as she watched the exchange. He cringed and sat heavily on the couch. “So this is the therapy dog we discussed, You are making wonderful progress James.” was heard before the door closed behind them.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They made plans to meet in Tompkins square park, and Bucky was getting ready a little earlier than he needed to. He had taken Steve for a jog that morning, done his grocery shopping and even picked out a small houseplant with the help of his regular shop owner's wife, and the blonde dog who helped keep him calm and less overstimulated by the hectic environment. They spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch with Steve and Alpine, who had taken to grooming the retriever's face whenever he got the chance.

His phone went off around 12 reminding him that he had a few unanswered texts from Sam and alerting him to a new text from her. What kind of beer do you like? I’m at my bodega. Bucky had smiled and sent her his preferred brand before insisting on picking up the pizza. He started gathering his belongings and preparing to leave. Since acquiring Steve the retriever , leaving the house took much more preparation, but was also much more enjoyable. He located the dog's collar and harness, quickly snapping them onto him. He was grateful patience was something the dog was well trained in, because it had taken the super soldier a few tries to get it on and off properly on their first day together.

He slid his feet into his well worn boots and pulled on his jacket and gloves. He was usually glad for the anonymity they gave him but in the heat in the city, it was becoming a hindrance. He grabbed his wallet, phone and keys and stuffed them into his pockets before bending down to grab Steve’s leash and clip it on. “See ya Alp” he called to the grumpy cat still perched on the couch as he led the blonde dog out of the apartment and locked the door behind them.

The subway ride was short but sweltering, Bucky had hated riding in the confined space when he had first returned to New York, finding it overwhelming and even more frustrating then it had been when he was younger. After a few months of getting used to it, he found he enjoyed the way people left him alone there.

His retriever sat between his feet as he stood on the train. He was holding the leash and the houseplant, and leaning against one of the metal rails intended for support. He was grateful the train was running on time, not wanting to spend any more time in the overheated and stuffy station than he needed to.

Soon he arrived at his stop, exiting the train as soon as the doors opened. He and Steve made their way through the crowd towards the stairs and the exit, bounding up the stairs to make it above ground as quickly as possible. He squinted in the sun and knocked his sunglasses down over his gray blue eyes as they made their way to his favorite Pizza spot. He had already ordered and paid ahead so all he had to do was pick it up and go meet up with her.

The grungy looking man behind the counter wearing a name tag that said Mike lit up as he walked in, waving eagerly to Bucky as he took a seat at one of the high top tables. “Heya Buck, Hi Stevie! Your pie is just coming out of the oven. I’ll box it up and It’ll be right out. “ he called, gesturing to the counter. “Pops said this is for a date, is that true? Is that for her?” The man teased gruffly moments later pointing at the plant as he handed Bucky the pizza.

The blue eyed super soldier just laughed and took the box and balanced the plant on top of it with one hand, steering Steve out the door with the other. ‘See ya next time Mike” he shouted over his shoulder to be heard over the steady stream of tourists filing in, heading back underground to grab the train and head towards the park to meet up with her.

It took him some time to find her, she had texted him that she was there near the dog park. When he did spot her she was sitting in the shade wearing a mustard yellow colored crop top , a flannel around her waist, a pair of ripped jeans and brown leather lace up boots. She was struggling to light a cigarette, he raised a brow as he closed the distance between them, pulling out a zippo and offering her the flame. She glanced up in shock, not having expected him quite so quickly. He didn’t smoke but had picked up the habit of always having a lighter from his time in the army.

She took a slow puff, exhaling slowly and watching him carefully. He didn’t seem like the type to smoke but she offered it to him anyway. He shook his head, “It’s a bad habit, I only smoke when I’m nervous or when I drink.” she confessed and he chuckled. “So I make you nervous?” a confident smile played on his lips briefly. “Oh shut up, don’t get an inflated ego.” she teased as he set down the box of pizza on the rock next to her and watched as Steve and Scout touched noses, greeting one another with tails wagging.

“Is he good off leash?” she asked as she unclipped her dog's leash and let her bound around in the small clearing she had settled in. Bucky nodded and mimicked her actions, smiling as Steve darted after her. The two jumped around, clearly enjoying the time to just be a dog and not having to be on the clock taking care of their owners. She finished her cigarette and grabbed a metal tin from her bag to put the butts in until she could find an ashtray.

“So I got you something.” Bucky said suddenly, offering her a sheepish smile. “I’m kinda old fashioned, but you said you didn’t like dead plants so I got you this instead, my usual grocers wife is a florist, she helped me pick it out for you.” He held out a small bright green pothos plant in a red planter. Her face lit up as she took it from his outstretched hands. “This is perfect, is it a neon? I have a satin and a golden variation at home but I don’t have one of these yet.” Bucky only shrugged, having absolutely no clue.

Their dogs happily entertained themselves playing ,while they dug into their pizza and beer. They made small talk, joking about their therapists and life in the city. He learned she wanted to own a book and coffee shop one day, so she could read and sell her baked goods all day. They discussed their favorite movies, foods and books. When he confessed that he loved fantasy books, she had excitedly started to ramble off a list of titles she thought he might enjoy, and insisted he come visit her at work sometime so she could send him home with a stack.

Soon the dogs were panting and laying on the cool grass to catch their breath so she pulled a portable bowl from her bag and filled it with her water bottle, setting it on the ground for them. Steve ran full speed towards it and took several large gulps before hacking and spitting half of it back up. Bucky rolled his eyes and grabbed the bandana around his dog's neck to wipe at his drooling mouth. “He does this all over my floors too, zero self control when it comes to water.” He offered the blonde dog an affectionate pat before the two dogs were back to playing.

Before they knew it, they had spent the better half of the day just sitting and talking in the park together with their pups. Bucky received a call from Sam, which snapped him out of the peaceful daze. She had raised a brow as he hit ignore and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. “You can take that if you need to..” she offered but he shook his head. “I’m having a nice time with you, I don’t want him to ruin it.” He half joked, finished his beer, handing her another.

They moved to sit in the grass, keeping an eye on their four legged friends as they chatted, this time discussing their families and friends. He confided that he didn’t have any family living close by which wasn’t really a lie. If she noticed she didn’t show it and told him about her family, her younger brother who lived in Brooklyn and how her parents retired from military life and got a farm with cows and chickens relatively close by, just a few hours away upstate. The way she described it was like a dream and he found himself wanting to visit, wondering if a farm would offer the same sort of peace he had found in Wakanda.

“We should probably get the dogs home for dinner huh? Do you live near here? Can I walk you?” he asked when they both finished packing up their things and got a hold of their dogs. “ I’m near 11th and first” she told him and he whistled lowly, not bothering to hide that he was impressed “wow, I wouldn’t have guessed. no wonder you wanted to meet out here, I think my friend tony had a place that way.” She chucked sheepishly “My dad rented it for when he used to work in the city , I guess some old lady used to own it but when she saw the hulk smashing cars and aliens right down the street she decided to pack up and move to some retirement home to be closer to her grandkids or something. She didn’t even care how much we paid for it and left a bunch of stuff behind. “ she was rambling, the thought of him walking her home had her mind racing.

He tried to only cringe inwardly at her mention of the destruction the heroes had caused while trying to save the world. He was grateful she was too wrapped up in her story about the apartment to notice. “ We did get some pretty neat antiques though, and she left almost her entire wardrobe with a lot of fancy coats, some suits I guess her late husband wore, and some gorgeous vintage dresses, I think they are from the 40s and 50s. It is pretty close though, less than 5 minutes, if you really did want to walk with us that way.” She finished lamely, clipping Scout’s leash to her harness. He nodded, doing the same with Steve ” I wouldn’t have offered it if I didn’t mean it. Gotta make sure you get home safely” he told her with a reassuring smile.

They walked slowly, taking in the city and keeping up comfortable conversation. He carried her house plant for her and mentioned he loved The Hobbit and was wanting to find a newer copy so he could read it again, only half using it as an excuse to visit her at work. She had grinned at that and nodded, suggesting maybe he would like to get the trilogy as well. “I heard they made some movies too, are they any good?” he asked as they stood on the curb waiting for the crosswalk light to change.

She had been taking a sip of her water bottle and gasped dramatically and nodded , nearly choking on her water. He chuckled and reached over, patting her back gently. “You okay?” he teased and nodded, still sputtering. “You’ve seriously never seen the movies? the trilogy or the hobbit films? “ she demanded and he shook his head sheepishly “Wow, that is so sad for you, and you call yourself a Tolkien fan. I make a great Hobbit feast, I even have a recipe for Balin's spiced roast and Lembas bread, so if you ever want to have a marathon, just let me know.”

As the light changed, they resumed their walk and Bucky tried not to appear too eager and just ask if she wanted to start the movie marathon as soon as they got to her place. He knew there was a delicate dance to these things and he couldn’t be too forward, or that was how it used to be the last time he did this.

When they reached her building he opened the door for her, admiring the lobby of the building and enjoying the chill of the air conditioning as she greeted the lobby attendant with a rare friendly smile. She tried not to make a show of it but invited him up, making the excuse that Steve probably needed a break in the AC before they got back on their way.

He tried not to agree too quickly, but it was hot and he could use a moment of respite before braving the heat of the train again. He and Steve followed behind her and Scout up the stairs at a respectful distance, He kept his eyes on his feet dutifully as they made the climb to the third floor. “Sorry about the trek, the elevator just went out. I’m hoping they fix it soon, but my expectations are pretty low.”

As they exited the stairwell and made their way towards the door she let go of Scout’s leash, He laughed as the red and white long legged spaniel scrambled down the hallway, coming to a sliding stop at a corner unit with door mat that read ‘I hope you called first’. She followed behind at a slower pace, digging through her tote for her keys. When they made it to her door she extracted them and deftly juggled her belongings and unlocked the door.

She struggled to push it open with her arms full, but did not ask for help. He chuckled at her stubbornness and reached down to grab her bag from her arms, pushing the door open with his gloved metal hand. She glanced up at him with a grateful smile, turning to walk backwards into her home. “Welcome to my overpriced shoebox” she joked as she leaned down momentarily to remove her shoes and her dog's vest and harness. Scout, who was clearly happy to be off duty, ran towards the back of the studio towards the couch, grabbing a toy from the floor on her way. She chewed on it happily and it emitted a loud squeak with each bite.

Bucky let the door fall shut behind him, toeing off his boots and unclipping Steve's leash from his harness and letting him go, smiling as he joined the spaniel on the couch. His eyes darted around the open floor plan of her studio apartment, quickly and quietly assessing it as she did her normal come home routine. She had bookshelves lining the walls of the entryway and they each held quite an eclectic collection. From YA books, to true crime and everything in between.

There were small windows above each shelf and the top of them was covered in long trailing plants. He had to admire the dedication and time it must take her to climb up and water them all. There was a small bench seat, with a pile of shoes stacked haphazardly underneath it. The kitchen was small but efficient and had all matching appliances and there were mismatched bar stools sitting at a counter top where she had tossed her keys.

He noticed more plants here and smiled, setting down the gifted plant. She really had more of a greenhouse than a studio. He noticed she had paper bags full of unpacked groceries and wondered if she had been so distracted and excited to meet him that she had forgotten to put them away. His mothers teaching of how to be a gentleman had him fighting the urge to help her put them away.

He followed her through the kitchen towards the main open area of her studio. A queen sized bed was against the wall, plush bedding covered in lots of pillows and dog toys. The couch the dogs had claimed sat at the end of the bed facing an entertainment center and a fairly large television. She plopped herself onto the end of the bed after turning her AC down and the fan up, fiddling with the remote, trying to turn on the TV.

Bucky stood awkwardly with thumbs in his front pockets, watching her and feeling unsure of what to do. The dogs were taking up the entire couch and he didn’t want to be presumptuous and join her on the bed. Maybe he should grab one of those bar stools. She glanced up from the TV when she got it turned on, selecting an 80s movie channel blindly. “You can come sit with me, if you want..” She offered and moved from her spot at the foot of the bed to flop onto the pile of pillows set up against the headboard. He shuffled his feet awkwardly, and fidgeted with his gloves mindlessly.

“You can take those off too, if you want, I know it's hot as hell and I already know who you actually are.” She said it offhand, like it was nothing. He glanced up at her, quickly becoming defensive. He wondered if it was all a set up by his annoying friend or worse his therapist who thought he needed more friends. He looked at her carefully, assessing how much of a threat she posed, before deciding she looked pretty harmless. She had plenty of time alone with him at the park to use as an opportunity to hurt him or expose who he really was, if that had been her plan.

“You knew the whole time?” he asked, shedding his gloves and jacket. She shrugged and nodded, trying not to admire him standing in front of her looking practically naked in just a t-shirt and jeans. “ Not the whole time, I wasn’t sure after the first time I saw you in the waiting room, y’know with the chop and all. I gotta say I didn't hate it long” she teased, motioning to his hair.

He ran his fingers through it instinctively “They do call you Mr Barnes when they call you back at therapy so.. It didn’t take a genius to figure it out.” He chuckled sheepishly at that, moving to sit at the foot of her bed. “Fair enough.” he said as he reached over to scratch behind Steve's ears, glancing up at the TV as the commercials ended and a new movie started. “The Terminator, really? Even I know that one is in poor taste and I’m ancient.” he accused with a laugh.

“Oof that was totally not on purpose, It was Weird Science when I turned it on.” she claimed defensively, chucking a pillow in his direction. He caught it without looking and tossed it back gently. She rolled her eyes and swatted at the pillow, knocking it to the floor “Alright, Show off.” she taunted, which made him laugh.

“So, about that marathon.” Bucky asked, leaning back onto his elbow to look up at her with a charming smile. “How soon could we make that feast you were talking about? I have a great pie recipe from my sister.” He tried not to look too eager, but he was relieved to finally be able to be himself. He was so used to hiding his arm and identity to avoid the backlash of his past, being able to watch movies and eat good food with a pretty girl, that sounded like heaven.

She smiled at the way he relaxed into her bed and gave her that charming ‘ladies man’ smile she was sure got him into trouble in the past. “I would need to make a grocery run, but at the earliest, probably after work tomorrow night ? It's over 20 hours worth of movies though, so it might take all weekend. Are you prepared for that kind of commitment?” she was teasing but he nodded without hesitation.

“If you are sure, I’ll go shopping tomorrow after my shift. “ she offered, sitting up slightly to find the remote and something better to watch on TV. He plucked it from her fingertips and scrolled through the channels. “Or you could give me the shopping list and let me do it.” he insisted, his eyes not leaving the TV. It sounded less like a request and more like he was insisting so she shrugged. She hated going to the store anyway, greatly preferring the cooking portion to the shopping. He smiled triumphantly and moved to join her at the head of the bed. “So who is your favorite Tolkien character?” he asked, turning to look at her.

She flushed under his gaze, tucking her hair behind her ear. “That's a tough one, Can I pick from each film series?” she asked hopefully and he nodded. “Hmm okay, well I love Aragorn in the trilogy, but in the Hobbit? I love Gloin, he's a badass, plus he’s Gimli's dad. But in the movies they made the dwarves handsome so I do like Kili a bit.”

They talked about Lord of the rings, then her other favorite authors. He had glanced at her bookshelf so he had an idea of what she liked but enjoyed hearing the enthusiasm in her voice as she spoke about Fitzgerald ,Austen ,the Brontes ,Poe Higgins Clark and King, and some poets. Only half of the names sounded familiar to him but he soaked it all up, insisting she take him for a tour around her work one day and send him home with a few of her favorites.

Her phone alarm went off around 4, reminding her to take her evening meds and do her usual dinner prep. He lifted his brows and offered to leave, feeling bad about having taken so much of her time and not wanting to intrude on her evening routine. She shrugged, “I like your company, I don't mind if you stay, plus I like company when I cook.” she confessed.

She grabbed a water bottle and a daily pill calendar from her bedside and quickly took her pills with a swallow of water. She offered him a soft smile, one he was a already becoming accustomed to considering his. “I always buy way too much food so if you want to stay for dinner you’re welcome to, But if you need to get Stevie home to eat I totally understand.” she told him as she reluctantly climbed off her comfortable bed and wandered into the kitchen.

Bucky glanced over at the couch and smiled, their two dogs were fast asleep and snoring. He motioned silently to her, waving and pointing down at the couch, making her smile “he ate lunch , I’ll feed him when I get home. He eats better than I do. ” She chuckled and pulled out a pan from her cabinets. “I've got stuff for spaghetti and meatballs or…”she trailed off as she checked her cabinets “or Manwich?” She glanced over and watched his nose crinkle at the second suggestion and grabbed the noodles from the shelf and filled the large pot with water. When she returned to the stove she clicked on the burner, before reaching for her phone and Bluetooth speaker to turn on some music. She selected classic rock before tying her hair back and locating her apron on its hook.

He hopped up from the bed and quickly joined her in the kitchen. “I can help make the spaghetti sauce. ”He offered, temporarily crowding her personal space as he reached up to help her fasten the apron before reaching past her and grabbing another pot from the cabinet she had opened a few moments before. “You’re observant, Thank you.” she breathed out as his chest pressed against her back.

He chuckled lowly, his exhale fanning across the back of her neck. He noticed the goosebumps forming as he took a step back and placed the pot on the stove beside the burner she was using. “Kinda part of my old job.” He confessed and moved to grab the veggies , meat and spices he would need for the sauce. “Oh I was going to just use the jar.” she confided and he laughed, shaking his head. “This is one of the few things I learned to make growing up on army bases, it’s better this way I promise. Just trust me.” She shrugged at this and gave in , and started making some garlic bread to pop in the oven while they used the stove.

They fell into comfortable conversation yet again as they cooked together, this time discussing music they enjoyed. Her favorite artists were similar to her taste in literature, all over the place. She liked classic rock, metal and punk but also girl bands and pop artists like Taylor swift and the spice girls. He was hesitant but told her he hadn’t really listened to a whole lot, still figuring out his tastes again. She had gleefully put on a playlist on shuffle, telling him to let her know when he heard something he liked. He found he liked Van Halen, and Elvis a lot of the other classic rock she played.

When dinner was finished the dogs were waking up and back to playing, chasing each other around over a large stuffed animal lamb. She smiled and pulled two plates and cups from the cabinet, instructing him where he could find cutlery. They worked together to set the table on the counter top before filling their plates and climbing onto the mismatched bar stools to enjoy their hard work. “Okay wow you were right, the sauce is way better.” she praised after savoring her first bite. He just nodded knowingly, grabbing a slice of bread and dipping it in the sauce, groaning as he took a bite. “I told you so” he teased, laughing as she rolled her eyes.

As they finished their meal, Bucky snagged their plates and was rinsing them and loading them in the dishwasher before she could protest. He shooed her from the kitchen so she watched him through her lashes from the couch, admiring how his arm flexed as he scrubbed their silverware before it joined their plates in the dishwasher. “I don’t think I've ever had a date do my dishes after dinner.” she confessed, which made him scoff, whether in disbelief or shock at the lameness of her past dating endeavors she wasn’t sure.

“So we do count this as date number one? I wasn’t sure. Sam said it definitely was but I haven’t done this in a while, that’s good to know.” He teased as he finished the dishes and moved to join her on the couch. She sat in the middle, giving him no choice but to sit right next to her. He took this opportunity and sat in the closest spot, letting his left arm rest on the back of the couch behind her, fingers grazing her shoulder. “Definitely counts, tell Sam he was right.” she reassured him, reaching up to link her warm fingers with his cold metal ones. He stiffened for a moment before melting into the couch cushions and her touch.

She turned on a comedy, something with Ben Stiller, and shifted to turn her body into his slightly. He let his arm drop from the back of the couch to rest around her shoulder, pressing her gently into his chest. She had started to doze, resting her head on his chest when the movie reached its halfway point and the sun started to go down.

Bucky gently pulled his hand from hers , jostling her just enough to pull her from the grips of sleep momentarily. “Hey, hon. I’ve gotta head out to catch the train.” he informed her softly. She blinked up at him, slowly focusing her eyes on him more fully. He chuckled and reached to brush her hair back from her face. He tucked it behind her ear and smiled down at her. “So Steve and I will see you tomorrow night?” he asked , glancing at their two dogs asleep on the pillows of her bed.

She nodded sluggishly, stretching and yawning. He smiled and extracted himself from her sleepy embrace reluctantly, holding out his hand to help her stand. “I had a really nice time today.” he told her with a charming smile, feeling more like his younger self than ever.

She flushed and nodded in agreement “Yeah, me too.” she agreed as she took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. She tried not to gasp at the ease he lifted her with, but she was sure it showed in her eyes. He chuckled and slid an arm around her waist to pull her into a gentle embrace. “Sweet dreams, sleepy girl. I’ll see you tomorrow.” he promised, ducking to press a kiss to her temple before stepping out of her personal space to grab his retriever's harness and leash. She leaned down, patting the bed to wake the two pups gently . Moments later she padded down the hall behind the two of them to the doorway of her small apartment, leaning on the frame to watch as they walked out the door and down the hallway towards the stairs. He glanced back at her and offered her another one of those charming smiles and a brief wave before starting the journey downward and back out into the city.

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes x y/n #i am bucky barnes trash #this one got away from me #i might be brainstorming a second chapter already #oops #bucky barnes is charming af #bucky barnes is also v awkward

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bylagunabay · 1 year

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Unseen Warfare

THE SWORD OF SAINT MICHAEL

(5-min read)

A true account of Saint Michael’s use of his sword is that of a young American Marine who prayed to him every morning. Separated from his unit after a blizzard during the Korean War, he was caught face-to-face with seven enemy soldiers who had guns drawn ready to fire. Only thanks to the Archangel did he miraculously survive the ensuing shootout. The prayer the soldier said daily is known as the Michael of the Morning prayer:

Michael, Michael of the morning,

Fresh corps of Heaven adorning,

Keep me safe today,

And in time of temptation

Drive the devil away.

Amen.

That soldier, who renames nameless, recounted the miraculous tale in a letter to his mother as he recovered in a hospital. Navy Chaplain Father Walter Muldy received a copy of this letter and speaking to the soldier, his mother, and the leader of his unit, confirmed the veracity of the story.

Transcribed below is Father Walter Muldy’s audio account of the soldier’s letter from a radio show recorded on 23 December 1964:

Dear Mom,

I wouldn’t dare write this letter to anyone but you because no one else would believe it. Maybe even you will find it hard, but I have got to tell somebody. First off, I am in a hospital. Now don’t worry, ya hear me, don’t worry. I was wounded but I’m okay you understand. Okay. The doctor says that I will be up and around in a month.

But that’s not what I want to tell you.

Remember when I joined the Marines last year; remember when I left, how you told me to say a prayer to St. Michael every day. You really didn’t have to tell me that. Ever since I can remember you always told me to pray to St. Michael the Archangel. You even named me after him. Well I always have.

When I got to Korea, I prayed even harder. Remember the prayer that you taught me? “Michael, Michael of the morning, fresh chord of Heaven adorning,” you know the rest of it. Well, I said it every day. Sometimes when I was marching or sometimes resting. But always before I went to sleep. I even got some of the other fellas to say it.

Well, one day I was with an advance detail way up over the front lines. We were scouting for the Commies. I was plodding along in the bitter cold, my breath was like cigar smoke.

I thought I knew every guy in the patrol, when along side of me comes another Marine I never met before. He was bigger than any other Marine I’d ever seen. He must have been 6’4″ and built in proportion. It gave me a feeling of security to have such a body nearby.

Anyway, there we were trudging along. The rest of the patrol spread out. Just to start conversation I said, “Cold ain’t it.” And then I laughed. Here I was with a good chance of getting killed any minute and I am talking about the weather.

My companion seemed to understand. I heard him laugh softly. I looked at him, “I have never seen you before, I thought I knew every man in the outfit.”

“I just joined at the last minute”, he replied. “The name is Michael.”

“Is that so,” I said surprised. “That is my name too.”

“I know,” he said and then went on, “Michael, Michael of the morning …”

I was too amazed to say anything for a minute. How did he know my name, and a prayer that you had taught me? Then I smiled to myself, every guy in the outfit knew about me. Hadn’t I taught the prayer to anybody who would listen. Why now and then, they even referred to me as St. Michael. Neither of us spoke for a time and then he broke the silence.

“We are going to have some trouble up ahead.”

He must have been in fine physical shape or he was breathing so lightly I couldn’t see his breath. Mine poured out in great clouds. There was no smile on his face now. Trouble ahead, I thought to myself, well with the Commies all around us, that is no great revelation. Snow began to fall in great thick globs. In a brief moment the whole countryside was blotted out. And I was marching in a white fog of sticky particles. My companion disappeared.

“Michael,” I shouted in sudden alarm.

I felt his hand on my arm, his voice was rich and strong, “This will stop shortly.”

His prophecy proved to be correct. In a few minutes the snow stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The sun was a hard shining disc. I looked back for the rest of the patrol, there was no one in sight. We lost them in that heavy fall of snow. I looked ahead as we came over a little rise.

Mom, my heart stopped. There were seven of them. Seven Commies in their padded pants and jackets and their funny hats. Only there wasn’t anything funny about them now. Seven rifles were aimed at us.

“Down Michael,” I screamed and hit the frozen earth.

I heard those rifles fire almost as one. I heard the bullets. There was Michael still standing. Mom, those guys couldn’t have missed, not at that range. I expected to see him literally blown to bits. But there he stood, making no effort to fire himself. He was paralyzed with fear. It happens sometimes, Mom, even to the bravest. He was like a bird fascinated by a snake. At least, that was what I thought then. I jumped up to pull him down and that was when I got mine; I felt a sudden flame in my chest. I often wondered what it felt like to be hit, now I know.

I remember feeling strong arms around me, arms that laid me ever so gently on a pillow of snow. I opened my eyes, for one last look. I was dying. Maybe I was even dead, I remember thinking well, this is not so bad. Maybe I was looking into the sun. Maybe I was in shock. But it seemed I saw Michael standing erect again only this time his face was shining with a terrible splendor. As I say, maybe it was the sun in my eyes, but he seemed to change as I watched him. He grew bigger, his arms stretched out wide, maybe it was the snow falling again, but there was a brightness around him like the wings of an angel. In his hands was a sword. A sword that flashed with a million lights. Well, that is the last thing I remember until the rest of the fellas came up and found me. I do not know how much time had passed. Now and then I had but a moment’s rest from the pain and fever. I remember telling them of the enemy just ahead.

“Where is Michael,” I asked.

I saw them look at one another. “Where’s who?” asked one.

“Michael, Michael the big Marine I was walking with just before the snow squall hit us.”

“Kid,” said the sergeant, “You weren’t walking with anyone. I had my eyes on you the whole time. You were getting too far out. I was just going to call you in when you disappeared in the snow.”

He looked at me, curiously. “How did you do it kid?”

“How’d I do what?” I asked half angry despite my wound. “This marine named Michael and I were just …”

“Son,” said the sergeant kindly, ” I picked out this outfit myself and there just ain’t another Michael in it. You are the only Mike in it.

He paused for a minute, “Just how did you do it kid? We heard shots. There hasn’t been a shot fired from your rifle. And there isn’t a bit of lead in them seven bodies over the hill there.”

I didn’t say anything, what could I say. I could only look open-mouthed with amazement.

It was then the sergeant spoke again, “Kid,” he said gently, “every one of those seven Commies was killed by a sword stroke.”

That is all I can tell you Mom. As I say, it may have been the sun in my eyes, it may have been the cold or the pain. But that is what happened.

Love, Michael

#catholic #angels #saint michael #miracles

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ohmytomorrowisthursday · 1 year

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Until I Fall - Part Five

Levi Ackerman x Fem Reader.

Eventual romance but this is a slow burn, definitely angsty and darker. It will also focus a lot on Hange, Erwin and the original scouts. Eren and the 104th training corps will be around but I’m focusing on the older characters in here. Your self insert name is ‘Azeria Becker’ pronouns She/Her/Hers. Using a name because don’t like using ‘y/n’.

Cannon universe. I wrote this for myself but I hope that you enjoy it, too lol <3

As you stood in front of Levi on that final day, you couldnt help but remember every last moment of your time in the scouts. How had you gone from that scrawny young rookie trying to fight titans to Erwin’s right-hand soldier who overthrew the government and was about to charge to your death? It was never fair, you’d never get enough time together. Standing before him, his eyes full of the sadness of the truth, it hurt too much to say Goodbye, don’t forget me. I’ll love you forever, so instead you said the only word that you could manage to speak; Survive.

cw: imagine literally every awful/gory thing that happens in SNK. Death, violence and gore. Drinking, sex.

You can find all chapters here.

Year: 845

The training went on like this for weeks. Every morning you would meet and train until breakfast, and then train more with the squads. You trained through the winter, even on the coldest of mornings.

It was exhausting at first, but soon your body could endure it better. Levi wasn't much of a talker but he did seem to divulge some things about himself to you. He grew up in the underground. His mother died when he was young, and he grew up for a time with a man named Kenny. Erwin recruited him. He didn't like dirt. He thought that the Military Police were absolutely incompetent. It wasn't much but you felt this was the closest thing that he could give you to personal information; the man was a wall, a grumpy, sarcastic wall. Every now and them he seemed genuinely happy when you were trining. Not in a beaming smiling way, but he would let out a laugh or make some morbid joke at your expense that amused him. Maybe you were becoming friends. You liked the moments that he did seem happy, and you always tried to bring that out in him.

At times, he got on your nerves a little too much. He was also such an asshole. He would not refer to you by your name, only brat, idiot and loser, and maybe he'd sprinkle in a few curse words. He hardly acknowledged your presence outside of morning training, and sometimes it felt as if he was truly trying to kill you when you fought. "I'm only trying to make you better, you're shit," he would say, but sometimes you didn't believe it.

"Oi brat," He said to you as you walked back to the dining hall from a morning of fighting, "Come find me at lunch. There's someone you need to meet." You were taken back. Levi never invited you to do anything. You searched his face for some answer as to who it was, but he only wore his same cold neutral frown. You'd just have to wait

That lunch, after training with your squad you searched the dining hall for Levi. Finally, you spotted his dark hair and eternally sour face. He was sitting next to Erwin Smith, your heart dropped to your stomach. Erwin was the First Squadron Leader. He was the best of the best. Cunning, brave, skilled. The crowds gathered in the streets to see his fleet. He always rode behind Commander Shadis. What was Levi thinking?

You cleared your throat to get his attention. "Levi," you said, timidly. You stood behind Levi at the bench as he ate his meal. He didn't acknowledge you.

"Azeria Becker," Erwin chimed. You were terribly nervous. "Captain Erwin," You said, saluting. He looked at you with a softened face. He was already much nicer than Levi.

"Please, come sit," he gestured to the corner seat beside him and of course, you obeyed. It was weird to sit with Levi in the dining hall, all you ever saw of him was fighting in the woods. It was so out of place. He continued to look down at his food and ignore your presence.

"Levi tells me that you've been training together," Erwin said, drinking his tea. "Yes, we've been training every morning." Levi told him that? When did he tell him? Levi talks about me?

Erwin nodded in acknowledgement, "He says that you are quite skilled." Hang on. Levi paid you a compliment? That was simply impossible. You blushed a little. You must have. Levi was an asshole, you didn't think you would ever live up to his expectations.

"Oh, uh-thank you," You mustered out, "I've been doing my best to be ready for our next expedition."

He nodded at you, once more. You noticed that despite his softer eyes and kinder face, Erwin was just as unreadable as Levi. "That's good. It's impressive to see such resolve from a recent trainee," he paused, "That's what I am meaning to talk to you about. Our next expedition; I want you to join my squad."

Your eyes opened wide. You couldn't believe it. This was the squad. The best of the best. You had always wanted to fight alongside them, but you never thought it would come this soon. "Captain! I am honoured! I promise I will not let you down!" You were shocked. He smiled. "I am glad to hear it. You start training with us tomorrow. I will inform your squad leader." You watched him as he left the table, a mix of shock, excitement and panic ran through you.

"Levi- I- thank-"

"Don't spoil a good moment, brat," Levi said, finally lifting his face from his plate.

"But you said I was shit," he looked so annoyed with you. You couldn't believe you were going to be fighting alongside him.

"You are shit," He sneered, "I'm just going to use you as titan bait."

You smiled, "I just can't wait to see the look on your face when I kill more titans than you."

"Tch. You wish," He lifted himself from the table and left. You could swear you caught him smiling.

You were so happy all afternoon. So happy, that your task of cleaning the horse barn didn't seem to bother you much at all. You were going to be in Erwins Squad, riding beside Levi, Hange, Moblit. They were going to be your team. More importantly, you could finally see it; Levi was your friend. You had finally earned his respect. Perhaps you had it all along and you just didn't know it. In any case, you were elated. This was the beginning of an adventure, and you could feel it.

By the time you got back to the dining hall, everyone in your graduating class knew. They surrounded the table that you sat at.

"Azeria! How could you not tell me you're joining Erwin's squad!" Ilse said, grabbing hold of your arm. You laughed, "I just found out at lunch! I haven't had a chance!"

"I can't believe it! I mean, of course I can, you're one of the best from our class but it's just so fast!" She squealed. It was true, you and her were the top of your class that year. "Don't worry, you'll be joining me soon, I know it." She smacked your arm, "I know it too!"

chapter six

#levi ackerman #levi x reader #levi attack on titan #levi aot #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan #aot fandom #aot #snk #levi fanfiction #levi heichou #aot fanfiction #snk fanfiction #snk fic #snk fandom

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anabsolutefreak · 19 days

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Chapter 12: You're Quite Unhinged. I like it.

This is a canon adjacent full campaign based story involving my original TAV character, the full BG3 crew and, of course, our favorite undead high elf. I created this story to help me get through an exceptionally difficult time in my life and so, you might notice Tav's story is a little more atypical than some. Be advised that the story I have created has some mature themes including violence, kink, mental health and self harm. I will be placing warnings on each individual chapter when any of these themes are included so please be aware. I hope you enjoy. Summary: Embrae wakes from her venom induced sickness. Astarion and she engage in a little harmless, entirely too wholesome playfulness which is, not in any way self indulgent on the authors part O.O. MATURE CONTENT: References to possible trauma. Sexual tension maybe but no smut... yet.

She was walking along the beach, the sunlight sparkling across the waves as they lapped at her feet. Her bare feet made impressions in the white sand, swept up behind her by the gentle water as she continued. Behind her, two children laughed, building castles in the sand next to a man with kind eyes. She smiled, contentment blossoming in her chest as they waved at her. Everything was alright today, she thought— perhaps everything would be alright. She lay down in the sand, allowing the waves to lap against her heels as she basked in the golden sunlight. She allowed herself to drift… Too long, she realized, she had lain there too long. It was dark now- the sun was gone- the water up to her face. But she couldn’t stand, couldn’t move. Pain shot across her wrists.

Voices rose around her, menacing, accusingly. “What did you do?”

“No! Let me go!”

“What did you do?”

“Stop it!”

“WHAT DID YOU DO?”

“Please,” she whimpered.

“Embrae,” another voice commanded. “Embrae wake up!”

She shot up, lunging thoughtlessly at the voice in front of her, fists raised. A hand caught her fist as she tumbled forward, pinning Astarion underneath her. Astarion? She realized. She was at camp, in her tent.

“Well darling, that was a touch aggressive… not that I mind,” said the vampire shimmying underneath her suggestively.

She sat back, releasing him. Not her tent, she realized— his? Yes, she recognized the mirror, the posh-looking cushions, and the ornate mirror he insisted on keeping for reasons beyond her understanding. He had all of the sides rolled up and she could see that the sun was high in the sky— and that they had moved. No longer were they in the lovely little spot they had been. Now, they were somewhere up against the cliffs. She could hear drums in the background— not the kind she normally did, she was reasonably sure. Someone was playing music.

“When did we move?” She asked, confused.

“Oh, you don’t remember!” Astarion put a hand to his mouth as though feigning shock. “Oh gosh. You mean you don’t recall us virtually carrying you out of Moonhaven? Having to gag you because you couldn’t stop insulting everyone? You very nearly got us murdered by a hoard of angry goblins when you called their leader a short angry muppet— whatever the hells that is.

“What? No!”

“Yes,” he said. “Anyways, we had to have Karlach run ahead and fetch Shadowheart because you simply were being simply intractable. Lae’zel suggested knocking you out but your brain already seemed a bit, shall we say, addled. I thought perhaps we ought not to take the risk. Shadowheart healed you but she said you had waited too long for the antidote and that it would take a while for— whatever this is.” He waved vaguely at her, “to leave your system.”

“Damn it. So, um. How long?”

“A whole day and a half. But don’t worry; we’ve gotten quite a lot done while you were gone. Let’s see— will and I scouted the Goblin Camp and even got us an invite for the party tomorrow. That’s where we are now, with their blessing— just outside their stronghold. Oh, and I found the druid— at least I assume it’s the druid. I don’t see any other reason they’d be keeping a giant bear in the worg pens.” He sniffed.

Embrae’s head was spinning with the information. “How did you manage to get an invite?”

He tapped his forehead. “Courtesy of this little bugger. Evidently, all true souls are VIPs.”

“Well, looks like you don’t need me around after all.”

“Oh don’t say that darling. It would be so terribly dull around here without you. Even tormenting Gale loses its charm after a while you know. And who else would ever call Lae’zel a lizard dominatrix?”

The blood left Embrae’s face. “I didn’t.” She said, horrified.

“You did,” he said, apparently delighted. “I’d— steer clear of her for a bit if I were you. She didn’t find it as funny as I did… You really are quite unhinged at times you know… I like it.”

Embrae sat back, sighing. “Shit.”

Astarion giggled. “Here,” he said handing her a flask. “Shadowheart said to hydrate when you woke.”

Embrae took a long drink. “Where is she? Where is everybody?” She looked around but couldn’t see anyone except— “The dog!” She gasped, scrambling to her feet. Astarion didn’t stop her but followed her out of the tent. The white dog trotted up to her panting happily as he wagged his tail. She had found him a few days ago next to the body of his master. He had refused to leave his master’s side at the time, so she had used animal speak to let him know he was welcome to come find them.

She kneeled, rubbing behind his ears. His eyes closed and his jaw dropped into a doggy grin. She looked at his collar. “Good boy Scratch,” she crooned.

“Yes,” he sighed. “You’re tendency to pick up strays knows no bounds.”

“Lucky for you,” she quipped.

“Excuse me. If anything, I picked you up.”

“If you say so.” She gave Scratch a final pat and stood. She felt good— well rested actually.

“So, where are the others.”

“Well, let’s see. “Gale and Shadowheart are off in search of a potent poison to spike the goblin’s beer tomorrow, whilst Wyll, Karlach, and Laezel, are using the time to search for infernal metal, I believe.”

“Poisoning the goblins. Huh, that could work. And what about you? Did you volunteer for babysitting Embrae duty or did you draw the short straw today?”

“Perhaps I just felt like playing the part of a man of leisure today.”

“And how’s that going?”

“Terribly. You snore— when you aren’t talking or screaming.”

“I do not snore!” Her face reddened. “You could have left me in my tent. I’m sure I would have been fine.”

“My tent is bigger.” He paused. “What do you dream about anyway? It sounds positively dreadful.”

She sighed. “Different things, really,” she admitted. “But mostly they seem to end with me being immobile, bleeding— while people accuse me of doing something. I don’t know what— but whatever it was must have been pretty terrible.”

“Hmm, so those weren’t moans of pleasure after all.”

She laughed. “No… Your turn. What do you dream about?”

He scoffed and looked away. “Oh come on, don’t be like that,” she laughed. She nudged him playfully with her hip. “I told you mine… You can trust me, you know?”

His face became hard as he looked down at her. “No, I don’t know that,” he snapped. Embrae took a step back, hurt.

“I’m— sorry. Of course, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” It had been a stupid question anyway, she realized. Shit, what else would he dream of if not his former master?

“No it’s—” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to— well, whatever this is.” He indicated between himself and Embrae. “I don’t— trust people and with good reason.”

“Yeah, I get that.” She did, of course, but it still hurt. She wanted him to trust her. Hadn’t she trusted him, after all? Stupid, she thought. Why did she trust the vampire who had nearly slit her throat when they first met, who had nearly drank her dry in the middle of the night?

His breath came out in a hiss. “I was thinking, now you’re up and about— would you do something for me?”

“Yeah of course.”

“I’ve been thinking about the scars on my back, trying to read them by touch… They may as well be written in Rashimi. Stupid, after all this time. Knowing what they say won’t change what he did to me but—”

“Did you— want me to take a look?”

“It— I know it isn’t your problem.” Why was he so agitated about asking for help? Because he doesn’t trust anyone, she reminded herself.

“I know it isn’t. No shut up and show me.”

He looked at her, ruby eyes searching, vulnerable she realized. Then he turned, lifting the white shirt up and off of him and standing straight so she could see.

She couldn’t read it. She didn’t even have the slightest clue what language it could be in. The symbols were strange, sharp, and vicious. She shuddered as she thought about the malicious hand that had carved them and the pain it must have caused.

“Well?” He demanded. “What do you see?”

“I’m not sure but— I could show you, if you’ll let me?”

She reached out, touching his mind with her own. She felt her tadpole move in response. Understanding dawned in his eyes and he gave her an almost imperceptible nod as he accepted the connection. She shied away from his thoughts, although she could feel them on the edge of her consciousness, full of darkness and fear. She wasn’t doing this to avoid his privacy. Instead, she focused on his back, taking in the complex lines and shapes that covered it and allowing him to see. He gasped. “Is that— infernal?” She could feel his anxiety rising. “What did that bastard do to me?” He said it in almost a whisper and, she couldn’t help it, her eyes flicked up to his face, still craning towards her so that his profile was visible.

Anxiety turned to shock as Astarion saw his own face and he turned around, eyes wide. She felt herself being drawn into his mind, despite her resistance— she tried to pull back but not quickly enough. She felt a sharp pain in her own back as the point of a blade dragged down. A strangled scream ripped from her throat that wasn’t her own— cold, malicious laughter, sharp as the knife itself, cut into the darkness. She pulled and broke the connection with a groan.

“Sorry,” she muttered. “I wasn’t trying to pry.”

He waved a hand, his eyes absent. “It’s— it’s fine.”

“No—” she snapped. “It’s not.” She could still feel the shadow of the knife, and hear that evil laughter in the back of her mind. “What’s infernal?” She asked, rubbing her head.

“The language of the hells,” he said thoughtfully.

“Could you read it?”

“No.”

“Did he— I don’t know, do the same to any of his other—-?

“His other spawn?” He finished for her. “I’ve no idea. Not that I noticed. But— it’s possible.”

“We could ask the others. Maybe Karlach—”

Panic touched his eyes and he shook his head. “No, let’s just keep this between us— at least for now. Gods… Two centuries carrying this and I could finally see it. This is— well it’s something, I suppose.” He looked up at her with a small smile and offered a small bow. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

He looked at her thoughtfully. “Was that— is that really what I look like?”

“You didn’t know,” she realized.

“Well of course not. I haven’t seen this face since it grew fangs and its eyes turned red.”

“I mean, I think it’s a very nice face,” she hedged.

“Very nice!” He huffed. “Is that really the best you can do darling? Try majestic, heartbreaking,— be creative.”

She giggled. “Is that all you want? Shallow praise?”

He grinned at her. “Oh no darling,” he said waving his hands theatrically. “There’s also blood, gold, revenge, power— quite a list really. But in the absence of those, I will always settle for shallow praise.”

“Well, I’m not that great at shallow,” she said smirking. “But for you, princess, perhaps, I can come up with something.”

His red eyes widened. “Princess!” he gasped at her in mock outrage. “Take that back at once.”

“Or what?” She grinned wickedly. “You’ll bite me?”

His eyes gleamed seductive. “Oh no, no, no... You enjoy that far too much. I’ve got something far worse planned for you if you don’t take it back.” He sank into a crouch.

She stared at him, considering. “In that case-” she leaned closer to him, taking in his scent as she whispered into his ear. “I am so very sorry.” Then she nipped his neck— hard, eliciting a yelp of surprise and outrage from the vampire. Then, she bolted towards the river.

She didn’t hear him behind her but she knew he was there, likely silently gaining on her. Her heart beat frantically in her chest at the thought and adrenaline coursed in her veins. I might have taken that a little far, a small part of her worried. She pushed the thought back. If the man couldn’t handle a bite, he was definitely a princess… and a hypocrite. She had reached the water now and panting, she looked over her shoulder— The light was fading, shadows cast by several large, gnarled trees near the shallow water. She stopped and looked around, a growing sense of trepidation in her chest. “Astarion?” She called out uncertainly. There was no response, no sound at all. Fuck.

She took a few uncertain steps forward then yelped as a sudden weight dropped down on her from a large tree. Astarion’s eyes gleamed red in the now-fading light as he smirked at her, his legs straddling her as he pinned her to the ground. He tilted his head, considering. “I thought we were supposed to ask before we bite, darling,” he purred. “Yet, twice now, you’ve broken that rule.”

“Oh come on now,” Embrae giggled beneath him. “The first time doesn’t count.”

He ignored her, dipping his head towards her neck and inhaling deeply as she squirmed beneath him. “Shall we settle the score then, you delicious thing?” He crooned brushing his teeth against the skin of her neck.” She fought back an embarrassing whimper as her heart pounded in anticipation at the thought. but he pulled his teeth and, without warning, dug his fingers into her ribs instead.

She yelped, writhed, and gasped beneath the elf as he tickled her relentlessly. “Astarion—” she gasped between giggles.

“Say sorry,” he ordered. She could hear laughter in his voice as his fingers continued their relentless onslaught at her sides.

“I’m— I’m sorry,” she pleaded breathlessly as she tried to fight him off between peals of laughter.

His fingers stilled and he bent down again, nipping gently at her ear. “Are you though? Are you really? Then say it properly.” His breath tickled against her skin. They were right at the bank of the river now, the water flowing but shallow beside them and Embrae grinned, seeing an opportunity.

“Astarion,” she said, forcing penance into her tone. He pulled back to look at her, waiting. “I am so sorry,” she said, her eyes wide and contrite. Then, using all of her strength, she rolled them both into the cold water.

His yelp of surprise and outrage was worth the cold shock, she decided, as she stood laughing in the shallow water. He stood a couple of paces away from her completely soaked, looking remarkably like a cat who had just been forced, unwillingly into a bath. His clothing was waterlogged and covered in mud and his white curls lay flat on his head. “You little—” he gasped. Embrae was gasping for breath, doubled over as she laughed at his waterlogged outrage. He looked at her sullenly which only made her laugh more, hilarity taking over her body completely. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed— really laughed. When the giggles finally subsided, she looked up. The vampire was standing in front her her, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. She nearly dissolved into giggles again.

“Well,” he said. “If you’re quite finished, I think I’d like to go dry off… the others will be back soon and wondering where we are.” He squelched out of the water with every ounce of dignity a wet feline could muster. She followed him out of the water, still chuckling. Once they were both on solid ground he rounded on her, grasping her arms. “You know,” he said, “Now you’ve got me chilled to the bone with no natural body heat of my own, I believe you owe me a drink.”

She tilted her neck up agreeably. “Fair enough— but be careful. All this laughing, I’m afraid I might taste… funny.” She snorted at the hilarity of her terrible pun.

Astarion rolled his eyes and groaned in chagrin. “I really should just drain you dry for that one.” Then, he bent and sank his teeth into her neck.

Later, when the others arrived back at camp they found the elf and the half-elf deep in their respective trance and slumber. They were covered in mud and lay side by side next to the fire, not quite touching.

“I told him to hydrate her, not drink her,” groaned the cleric as she took in the fresh bite marks at Embrae’s neck.

“Perhaps— and this is just a thought,” said Gale dryly. “A vampire is not the best choice to leave with the sick and mind-addled.”

“Aw, look at them though,” said Karlach. “How do you think they got covered in mud?”

“I’d really rather not know,” scowled Shadowheart.

Lae’zel tutted in disgust and turned towards her tent. "Idiots.”

#astarion fanfic #baldur's gate 3 #original female character #baldurs gate astarion #bg3 tav #slow burn

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aria-33-20 · 1 year

Text

Callisto Yin’s Burning Mark

In a park in the First City, under the shelter of the Traveler, a group of children - one human, one awoken, one eliksni, one cabal, and a psion - played a game of tag together. They chased each other through the grass and the trees, laughing and shrieking with delight, until the eliksni called a time-out suddenly.

“What gives, Miz?” The human asked him.

“Remember that storyteller I told you guys about? The one with the story about the Titan from back in the City Age? That’s her,” he replied, pointing toward a nearby bench. On it sat an elderly lady with a severe look, tapping away on a datapad.

“Okay, so?”

Miz turned to him with a look of annoyance. “You guys wanted to hear it, right? She hasn’t been here in forever, what if she never shows up again? We should ask her to tell us the story.”

The awoken girl quickly chimed in. “She looks scary though. I don’t think we should bother her.”

“Your tusk is too short, Maryam,” responded the cabal child. “I’ll go do it.”

“I can’t even grow tusks, Vorri!” she shouted in indignation.

“You came from a lab, surely you can give yourself some.”

The human boy tapped Miz on the shoulder. “Hey, where did Varec go?”

Miz looked away from the two girls getting into it, only to see his psion friend already walking up to the bench.

——————

The old lady’s concentration was broken by a tapping on her knee. For a brief moment as she looked up, her face contorted with frustration, only to change to surprise at the sight of a psion child in front of her.

“Hello there. Do you need something?”

The child pointed first at their chest, then at her head, a nonverbal request to communicate in their native language. She nodded a yes a in response, and a psionic greeting filled her head, followed by the word “Varec” and a series of images and small sensory experiences that she quickly realized were their names. The feeling of friendship came next, then questioning, and something she could only call the experience of getting caught up in a story.

“Your friend,” she confirmed, “said I have a story to tell?”

The psion nodded.

“Is your friend here now?”

The psion nodded again, then pointed back at Miz and their other friends. Surprise washed over the old lady’s face again.

“Miz, I see! I’d been hoping to see him again. Which story would you like to hear?”

The psion replied with an image of a human and a ghost on fire, causing her to draw back. Seeing her concern, they quickly changed the ghost to have a fire in its eye instead.

She thought for a moment, then realized which story they were referring to. “Ah, the one I told Miz before about the Risen you see sometimes whose ghosts have fire inside. Hm… could I ask you to help me create some images to go along with it?”

The psion lifted their hand in a thumbs-up.

“Wonderful!” Raising her voice, she called out to the other children. “Miz, I’m telling the story you heard before! Bring your other friends over here if they want to hear it.”

——————

This story takes place long ago, in humanity’s City Age, when the cabal were under the rule of their great hero Dominus Ghaul, and humanity was still at war with the cabal and eliksni; The First City was still called the Last City, and the Risen were still needed to protect us from those who sought us harm.

During this time, the Risen defenders of the City, the Guardians, divided themselves into classes: Hunters, lone scouts who braved the wilderness outside the walls to see who was preparing to move against us and stop them before they could gather strength; Warlocks, wise mages who worked tirelessly to understand our foes and the world around us; and Titans, towering defenders of the walls that kept us safe.

The Titans alone divided themselves further, into large groups they called Orders. Each order established for itself its own fighting style, doctrines, and icons. Most were dedicated to standing guard over sections of the walls, defending refugees fleeing to the City, or assisting with the City’s policing and peacekeeping.

One Titan Order was different though. With the ever-burning flame of the Fire Victorious as their icon, they called themselves the Firebreak Order, and they took it upon themselves to bring the fighting away from the City, to the strongholds of our foes. The Firebreak Order believed that by stopping them before they could move, our enemies would be unable to harm the City.

And they were not wrong. Many attacks on the City were thwarted by Firebreak assaults. However, other Titan Orders looked down on them. Their method of fighting was called “reckless,” and “needlessly aggressive.”

Perhaps it truly was, because when the City stepped into war with the cabal, Dominus Ghaul decided that the City’s strength made it a worthy opponent. He planned to crush the City all at once, to end the war that we started in one fell swoop, and so he sent in his very best. The Red Legion swept over the City’s walls under cover of smoke and storm to lay waste to it, and those defending them were powerless to stop the assault.

The Titans of the Firebreak Order, with their doctrine of offense, would later cast the blame on themselves for not being there to help with the defense. They claimed it was their fault the City fell, when there was so little they could have truly done. As for those of them still in the City… well, most of them didn’t survive to blame themselves. But those who did stand proud, because what they did then may have saved the Order.

When the Red Legion marched into Firebreak Plaza, home of the Order’s headquarters, they met fierce resistance from those of the Order still there. They stood to defend the Fire Victorious, burning eternally in its place of honor at the center of the plaza. The line held for hours, even after Ghaul caged the Traveler and the Risen lost their Light. Dozens of civilians were sheltered in the plaza while they waited for City Hawks to evacuate them.

When Ghaul’s forces finally broke through, the Order despaired. Worn ragged, their remaining forces were pushed back all the way to the burning pedestal at the center of the plaza. As cabal tanks came into view, a cry of fear, pain, and exhaustion could be heard. Those last few defenders knew that should even one of those tanks fire, the blast would not only obliterate them, but it would extinguish the Fire Victiorious. It would signal the end of the Firebreak Order, even if there were other members still alive outside the City.

In a fit of desperation, one Titan among them took action. Every Titan wore at their waist an icon, a mark. The mark was a piece of cloth signifying the deeds and influence of its wearer or the group they belonged to, and was shed after battles to show others to come what occurred there. Callisto Yin, one of the few Firebreak Titans to survive to that point, tore hers from her belt and cast the end of it into the Fire Victorious, and when it caught, gripped it tight in a closed fist as she broke for a gap in the cabal.

With her at the fore, the Firebreak Order abandoned the plaza. The eternal flame of the Fire Victorious was quickly extinguished by the cabal forces in the belief that it would break the Order’s spirits, but it lived on in Callisto Yin’s burning mark.

With the Order’s hope restored, they battled their way through the crumbling streets of the Last City, making for a gap in the walls where they could escape into the mountains beyond. Once free of the danger of the streets, the flame was passed to campfires and torches, to keep the Order warm and safe in the wilds.

In the weeks that followed, it would be split many times over and held by many hands, ensuring that even if one ember were to be extinguished, the rest would continue to burn. When the City was retaken, it was decided that the Fire Victorious would remain among the Order’s members, carried in the shells of their Ghosts. Though the Order is no longer active, their symbol still burns in the plaza and among those who once served it, pushing back the darkness when it creeps in close.

——————

The old storyteller smiled as the children returned to their games, having said their thanks for the tale shared with them. As she watched, a Ghost, glass windows in its shell flickering with flame, floated down to rest beside her.

“You know, if I remember correctly your mark was actually still clipped to your belt when you lit it on fire,” they noted.

“Of course,” she replied, still keeping an eye on the children, “but if they knew that I’d never hear the end of it.”

#destiny 2 #destiny the game #destiny fanfiction #?#this is based off of the little bits of flavor text and stuff about the firebreak order that appear ingame #also varec *is* non binary #while the storyteller’s ghost just gets they/them pronouns because I don’t know what they identify as #I’m supposed to be working on A New Spark Pt. 2 but I’ve been stuck on that for a while #so when this popped into my head I decided I had to get it down #oh also miz is short for misraaks but he’s not the one we see ingame he’s just named after him #this takes place way way past the game

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the-letter-horror-lover · 2 years

Text

Shingeki no kuroshitsuji

AcarAtorchAdeath

Summary:

Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis find themselves inside a strange place people refer to as Wall Maria. They want to get back to England, but asking around people seem to have never heard of such a place. The only way to get even close to getting outside the wall is to join the scout regiment.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1

The young noble sat at his desk in boredom. That day had been tedious and outright boring. Ciel Phantomhive rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and put his fist to his cheek. He stared blankly at the room before him without blinking. His eyes fluttered then closed. and what felt like three seconds,could have been thirty minutes. He shot up out of his seat with wide eyes. Someone had touched his shoulder. He looked to his left and Sebastian stood leaning over, now wide eyed at the sudden movement of his young master.

But not so young anymore… Ciel’s seventeenth birthday had come and gone just like a flash. His relationship with Elizabeth had ended terribly after her sudden death. Now the whole of England waiting and watching his every move, to see who he would pick for a bride to be. Yes, this time he had to pick. Ciel had no other family.

“Sir…” Sebastian stood straight and put his hand over his chest. “We must depart for the funeral, master.” He said in a low tone. Almost sad? No… Sebastian didn’t have those sort of emotions…. did he?

“right…” Ciel said hesitantly, and stepped out from behind his desk and headed for the door. Sebastian was right beside him to open the door for him. But Ciel didn’t notice, and reached for the nob. But stopped when Sebastian opened it instead. “Right…” He said again. The rest of the way there was silence. No talking whatsoever. Not to, nor at the funeral. When people tried to comfort him, he blankly stared at the grass, or the headstone of his beloved Lizzy.

After it was all over, Sebastian and Ciel headed back to the manor. Ciel was tired, depressed. He had seemed to be always lost in thought, or… depressed.

“Sir.” Sebastian said from behind him. Ciel turned, and just as he faced his butler, the demon slammed his hand onto a wall directly behind Ciel’s head. Sebastian leaned in close and glared. “Sir, if i may… you have been silent, emotionless, and stubborn. I know that your fiance died and it’s very saddening…” That hurt to hear, “but, you are used to it!” That was true. Even if he wanted to deny all of it. He couldn't part from the truth.

“Get off of me.” Ciel pushed Sebastian away, and started to walk swiftly to his study.

The hallways seem to be getting longer, every step the walls stretched and changed. Soon the walls were buildings, the lamps turned to people crowding the streets.

“what? where… where the hell is this?” Ciel whispered to himself. “Sebastian.” he called. Sebastian appeared next to Ciel, confusedly looking around. “where are we?” Ciel asked looking around.

“I’m not sure, master.” He said. Ciel grabbed a passing man’s arm and almost as soon as he did, the man yanked his arm away and continued to walk.

“Rude…” Ciel muttered under his breath. A tall man in a short light brown jacket walked by, he had a strange symbol on the back of it. it looked like a shield with roses on it. The man wore strange belts that wrapped around his body. The strangest part was the metallic boxes hooked to his hips.

“Excuse me, sir.” Sebastian got his attention, “ you look like you know your way around. Could i ask where we are?” The man looked confused and just stood there staring at Ciel and Sebastian.

“This is wall Maria…. What are a few rich folk doing here?” He asked.

“Wall Maria? I’ve never heard of such a place.” Ciel said louder than he thought.

“HA! never heard of it? Where have you been living, under a rock?” The man laughed. After he stopped laughing he started to walk away. Ciel was frustrated.

“I have never heard such a thing as ‘wall Maria’, how did we get here is the question.” Sebastian said, he put his index finger to his chin in thought.

A whistling sound came from behind the two. Ciel looked up and almost as soon as he did, a woman shot across the sky, seeming to be cheering. “Dinner time!” She yelled.

“follow her.” Ciel ordered. “Take me with you.” Sebastian picked his maser up and jumped after the flying girl.

They followed the girl until she stopped and went into a building. Sebastian set Ciel down and they both walked into the same building the girl did. When they walked in, they had a different symbol on their jackets than the man they saw earlier. It looked more like angelic wings.

The group of people sat around tables eating disgusting looking food. A tall man walked up to them, “Hello, may I help you?” His voice was smooth as cream. He stood straight, his blonde hair slicked back.

“I am trying to find out where I am. I was in my manor in London, and the next thing i know i’m here.” Ciel said.

“London?” He chuckled, “never heard of such a place.” Now people around them started to stare.

“Really… London… England?” Still the man looked confused. Ciel groaned.

“Right well little boy, you should get back to your mother before she starts to worry.” He chuckled again.

Ciel was angry now. He grabbed the collar of the mans shirt and pulled his face close to him, “I would if I could. Now you're going to tell me where i really am, and how i’m supposed to get out of the wall over there,” Ciel pointed angrily. Two people fromt the closest table stood protectively.

Ciel let go of his shirt and stood straight, waiting for an answer. “Civilians are not allowed outside of the wall, boy. Now i don’t know about this London place your talking about, but you my dear boy are looking for trouble.” The two men who stood sat down slowly, but still glared at the two newcomers.

A shorter man appeared next to the taller one. He seemed to have a glare, his dark eyes were scary and intimidating.

The short man spoke. “Erwin.” He said in a low deep voice, surprising for such a short man. “Go relax, you have too much on your plate as it is, I’ll take care of these two.” The man who now had a name glared and turned to walk away, hesitated, then left. “Hello, I’m captain Levi Ackerman.” He said formally, no expression at all.

“Hello, I’m Ciel Phantomhive, and this is my butler.” Ciel returned. “Now can I ask you what the hell this place is?”

“You are in Wall Maria. There are three walls. Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina. We are the outer wall. six years ago titans broke through Shiganshina District.”

“Titans?”

“Giant humanoid creatures that have a taste for human blood.” He said it so calmly, it didn't faze him one bit.

“right well I really don’t care about the history of this wretched place, I want to know how I can get back to England.”

He didn't listen to him, “About one hundred ten years ago, those giants started to appear, and the human race had gone almost extinct. Inside these walls are the only humans alive on this planet. So getting out of this wall is impossible for you. The only way you could ever dream of going outside this wall, is if you join the scout regiment.”

Chapter 2

Notes:

Just so you know, not this chapter but future chapters, will have people in it that have died in the first season of the anime. (I won't say who, so don't worry)

Scout regiment?” Ciel questioned. Levi really didn't have much emotion. It seemed to Ciel that he had a permanent frown on his face…

“Yes, scout regiment.” He sounded annoyed, as if Ciel should have known what it was. “The survey corp lay down their lives to fight for humanity. We venture outside the walls into titan territory.”

“I want to join.” Ciel almost shouted.

“Master, don’t be hasty.” Sebastian objected.

The captain scanned Ciel from foot to head, still no expression, but his eyes said he was in thought. Levi then circled Ciel like a hawk about to dive for its prey. "You seem to be promising. HEY BRAT!" He yelled across the room at a young looking man, maybe a little older than Ciel himself.

"Sir!" The boy stood and saluted, quite an odd salute. His left hand hooked behind his back, as the right, curled in a fist across his left chest.

"You are to train these two privately and swiftly."

The boy wavered in his salute, hesitated in answering. "Uh- ye- yes sir!"

"Right, good luck to you" Levi said, and walked back to a table and sat.

The boy the captain referred to as "brat" walked swiftly to the newcomers. "Hello," he smiled, "I'm Eren Yaeger. I guess I'll be training you two for the military police then?"

Ciel hesitated for an answer, but his butler spoke first "No... the scout regiment."

Eren seemed almost shocked, he stood wide eyed. "H-have you ever seen a titan?" He then asked.

"No. I hardly know what they are." Ciel answered. He looked even more shocked.

"Then what is your goal in joining the regiment?"

"To find my way home to England." He answered.

“What’s England?” Eren asked confused. He certainly had a lot of questions, annoying ones.

“Not what, where. It’s in Europe, I must hope you know where Europe is.”

Eren’s eyes went wide with fascination, and concern, and excitement. “you’ve been outside the walls?!” He almost jumped for joy. “I have been inside these walls forever, that is until I joined the scout regiment. But I have never got the chance to travel. My friend Armin says there are vast bodies of water, with salt in them, and giant mountains that nobody has ever climbed to the top of.” off to the side the girl they saw before was holding her hand in a fist and tapping her index finger to her thumb.

Ciel looked at her, “What are you doing?” He asked.

“I’m trying to find Eren’s off button!” She said. Ciel almost burst out laughing.

Eren glared at her, “ha ha ha… very funny Sasha.” He then turned to Sebastian and asked, “So, is this your dad or something?”

Sebastian smiled and held back a laugh. Ciel’s eyes went wide, “NO, DEFINITELY NOT!”

“Wow, sorry… Just askin’. Then who is he?”

“He’s my butler.” Ciel said matter of factly.

“Damn rich people.” Came a sneer from a table behind them.

“Right…” Eren said slowly, “Well let’s get started. Follow me.” The two followed Eren outside the building. He too, was wearing the strange boxes hooked to his hips. He unsheathed two strange shaped blades. Suddenly, a grappling hook fired from each of the metallic boxes and slammed into the side of a building in front of them, a line of air came from the back, and as it did, Eren shot from the ground to the top of the building. “Come o- oh right….” He shouted from the top of the building. “Sorry I’ll come back down and we will walk.”

“No stay there!” Sebastian shouted. He picked Ciel up and launched himself next to Eren.

“Wow, nice! You’ll do awesome once you get the hang of the 3DM gear.”

When they stopped, they stopped at an open area, with cabins and other various contraptions. “Alright, lets start with balance. You need excellent balance to be able to use the gear.” Eren said, tapping the metallic box at his hip. They followed Eren to a small cabin, when they went inside, Eren dug around in a box and pulled out….belts? “These are part of your 3D gear, they help with the balance. I’ll give you two a minute to put them on.” Eren smiled and walked out.

“What in the name of sanity is this? It’s like a saddle!” Ciel said then looked at Sebastian, who already had it on. “How the he-?”

“It’s quite simple really.” Sebastian smiled.

After a few moments of wrestling the belts on, Ciel finally got it on. As the two walked out, a girl was standing next to Eren helping him with a contraption. It consisted of three legs meeting at the top, almost like a Native American teepee, but without cloth on it.

“Right. Lets start.” Eren smiled, “Who wants to go first? how ‘bout you cell.”

Ciel hesitated, “It’s Ciel…”

“Okay, Ciel, stand here,” Eren pointed to the middle, below the three legs. “I’ll strap you up, and I’ll spin this lever, you will rise so your feet are not touching the ground. Try to balance yourself however you can, doesn't matter how. Good luck.” He then walked over to a lever and started to spin it. Ciel stood straight, but ready. As soon as his feet lifted, he fell.

Eren quickly retracted the lever, and stepped toward Ciel. “You okay?”

Ciel rubbed his forehead, “Yes… I’m fine.”

“Sorry, it’s harder than it looks. Well, lets try again.” Ciel stood and parted his legs into a better stance. Eren twisted the lever once again, and Ciel’s feet lifted. His balance wavered, then held still. His hands were in front of him and his feet lifted a little. “Wow, awesome! your doing it!” Eren said excitedly.

Sebastian stood away from Eren and Ciel, watching his master. “So.” a soft voice came from beside him, “Where are you from?”

Sebastian looked to his left and saw a girl with short, black hair. A red scarf wrapped around her neck, her black eyes calm, watching Eren.

“You love him?” Sebastian asked ignoring her question.

“eh-” She looked at him suddenly, worried. “Well… of course he’s my brother.”

Sebastian smiled, “More than brotherly love I see.”

“Don’t you love someone?” She then asked.

“Yes.” His smile softened, and he stared at Ciel, “I have someone to protect is all.”

The girl smiled, “Having someone to protect… That’s a good ally to have.”

After a few minutes, Eren unhooked Ciel from the contraption. “Hey butler! It’s your turn.” Sebastian walked over to Eren, and stood in the center of the three legs. Eren hooked the tall butler to it, and walked over to the lever. “You hear what I said to Ciel right?”

“Yes.” Sebastian answered.

“Good. let’s start.” Eren twisted the lever, he twisted and twisted, finally Sebastian's feet lifted. He balanced perfectly, he didn't have to change positions to keep it from wiggling. He stayed completely still.

Eren look astonished at the sight of the first timer balancing so well. “You’re a natural!” He said excitedly.

“what’s your name?” asked the girl to Ciel.

“It’s Ciel.” He said, and looked at her. She was beautiful, her eyes were calm and caring. Her black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and slight breeze. “What’s yours?” He asked.

“Mikasa Ackerman.” She said confidently. She was just slightly taller than Ciel, but not by much. Ackerman? Ackerman… That name sounded familiar. An image of the short man, with no expression flashed across Ciel’s mind.

“Are you by chance related by that captain guy?”

She breathed a laugh and said, “No… We have the same last name, but that’s it. No blood relation.

After they were done, Eren brought them back to the building they were at before. They had done a lot of training and Ciel was tired, and hungry. “Hungry?” Eren asked, as if reading his mind. “It’s about supper time, so…. we’re going to the mess hall.” Ciel was relieved. He could literally eat anything.

When they got there, nobody sat at the tables, only one girl. The girl they called Sasha waved at Eren and Mikasa to sit with her. “Come sit with us.” Mikasa said to Ciel and Sebastian.

Eren had given them uniforms just like the rest of them. Sebastian had pinned the Phantomhive crest, that he wore on his usual suit, onto his uniform jacket, he had also kept his black tie on.

Someone burst through the door, “We’ve got trouble! Where’s the corporal?” It was a girl, her golden blonde hair was short. “Eren! Mikasa!” she was out of breath. “A titan…. it… it… wandered through the wall!” Almost as soon as he said it, the two stood from the table and ran with the girl outside.

“Let’s follow.” Ciel said to Sebastian. They followed them. They didn’t yet have the 3D gear, but Sebastian would have to be quick enough. Sebastian picked Ciel up and set him on his shoulder.

They ran along the rooftops following the three people. They stopped, and three stood at the edge of a rooftop staring at something. They were calm. “We've got a fifteen meter.”

“shit! Are the guards at the gate drunk?!” Eren swore.

Ciel looked in the distance.

“What the hell is that?”

Chapter 3

Notes:

WARNING!!!!!

This has spoilers!!!!!!! do not read if you haven't gotten through at least chapter 50 of the Manga! or unless you already know about the colossal and armored titan!

hope you like this chapter.

and sorry for the lateness. I have been very busy this summer.

Chapter Text

“That my boy… Is a titan.”

“Commander Smith!” The three said in unison. They saluted the odd salute, then went back to watching the titan.

“Are there more?” Asked Erwin. There was only one giant, no more in sight.

“No sir.” Said the blonde girl.

“Thank you Armin, I could already tell.” Said Erwin, oddly. The girl looked at him in disarray.

“Hey girl…” Sebastian said in his deep voice. “You seem like a smart one.” He was obviously trying to charm her. “Can you tell me more about these so called ‘titans?’”

Mikasa and Eren started to laugh, they laughed harder and harder. Armin looked angry, but Sebastian and Ciel didn’t know why. His face turned bright red, his hands clenched at his sides.

Eren came around to Armin’s side, “I think quick introductions are in order,” he giggled, “This is my best friend Armin, he’s my main man, and the smartest guy in the corp.”

“Yes, get it? I’m a dude!” He said with clenched teeth, his face was beat red.

Ciel stood wide eyed. “My sincerest apologies, sir.” Sebastian apologized.

“And these two…” Eren continued pointing at Ciel and Sebastian, “are Ciel, and Sebastian, from… Uhh, from… Where are you two from again ?”

“London, England… European continent.” Ciel told them.

Suddenly Armin’s face went from anger, to curiosity. “Europe?” His excitement was screaming to come out, but something was holding him back. He cleared his throat, “Um, right, well we need to deal with the matter at hand. Somehow a titan has roamed inside the wall. The question is… How?”

“My theory is their all pissed drunk, whoever is guarding it.” Eren interrupted Armin’s train of thought.

“Are you all just going to sand around baffled by the fact it got in, or are you going to kill it?” A rich deep voice came from behind them, Levi. He walked up to them, pushing past Ciel, not acknowledging his existence. “Come on brat, kill the damn thing!”

Eren glared at the captain and said, “Yes sir!” Two grappling hooks shot from his 3DM gear. He flew with such grace it was hard to tell he was being pulled by two lines. Soon Eren looked like a dot flying around, and suddenly the giant fell. Screaming came from that direction, but soon subsided.

As soon as Eren got back Levi flew toward the gate of the wall. Ciel ordered Sebastian to take him there. And when they got to where Levi was, there was a man kneeling on the ground, Levi standing in front of the man, looking down. Drops of blood fell from the man’s mouth, coughing.

“Please, please! we didn’t mean to!” The man pleaded. Other than wings on his uniform, they were roses.

“You’re pissed drunk over here, with the gate wide open! I could have you executed for this!” Levi said angrily. He then kicked the man that was still on the ground. “And you two!” He pointed to two men in the shadows. “Since he is too busy choking on his own blood, would you care to enlighten us?”

“Hey man… we were juss havin’ a good time, ya know?” Their speech was slurred with drunkenness.

“I’m surprised they weren't the first to get killed.” Eren said walking up from behind Ciel. “Captain, give ‘em a break. It was just one titan.” Levi turned and glared at Eren. He looked back at the drunk men, sneered, and walked away.

“One titan? One Titan! Yes, it was “just” one titan, then it’ll be two, then a whole herd of ‘em will be trampling through eating everyone!” He then walked away angrily, kicking a small rock at the man on the ground still spitting up blood.

A girl with light ginger hair ran up to Levi smiling. “Captain! How are things?” Levi’s expression stayed the same, but his eyes seemed to light up. She was just as tall as Levi, she was cute too.

The captain sighed, “Well... I think Erwin needs to talk to Pixis.”

Erwin walked up to Levi, he was almost two heads taller than him, “So, how did it go?” He snarked. He was smiling down at him.

“Piss off you big ass tree.” He said, “Go talk to Pixis about their punishment, for all I care they should be beheaded.”

The sun was setting, and little pieces of cotton were floating through the air. The sky shone with a beautiful orange, yellow, and red hue. and coming in right behind it was the night sky. The full moon shone with brilliance. Ciel breathed a sigh, and looked at Sebastian who was looking up at the sky. “How did we get here?” Ciel then asked, to no one in particular.

“A crack in dimensions.” He said casually. Ciel looked at him with his eyebrows drawn in.

“What?” He said startled. “That’s impossible Sebastian, and you know it.” He said with an awkward smile.

“It’s true, and I know I’m right. We demons use them all the time to jump from dimension, to dimension. It is much easier than traveling long distances.”

“Have you ever traveled to this one?” Ciel asked. Ceil then took his eyepatch off, it had gotten dirty, and some dirt was getting into his eye. He cleaned it as Sebastian talked.

“No, I haven’t ever gone to this one, and I don’t think any of us would, it’s a mess, and I doubt any people here have very good souls, they have all been tormented with fear. Which i personally like, especially that short captain.” He said with a smile. “But other demons don’t like tormented souls.” Ciel rolled his eyes as he finished cleaning his eyepatch, and put it back on.

Eren walked up to the two with a tired look, he yawned, “Alright, I’ll show you where you two will be sleeping.” He motioned to them with a wave of his hand to follow him, and the two followed behind him.

Sebastian whispered to Ciel as they walked, “The town’s architecture looks very familiar.” He looked around with squinted eyes in thought, then he smiled and said, “Ah, I remember, it looks like some towns in Germany.”

Ciel looked up at him, “So maybe we are in Europe.” He whispered back. They were tall buildings, and they all looked about the same, except for a few tall bell towers. They were filled with nicks and holes from 3DM gear grappling hooks. And it looked as if most of the houses were deserted. “Eren, why are some of the houses around here deserted?” Ciel asked.

Eren didn’t look back, and still kept walking. “Well, about a year before you came, inside these walls, it was overrun by titans.” They then passed a dark spot that spattered across a wall. “Many people died, and a lot of them escaped.” He motioned to the dark spatter. Ciel stared at it as the passed. “It was an awful time, but we took it back, and that’s what really matters.” He stopped at a row of smaller houses. “That is where you will be sleeping, you will be with Reiner and Bertholdt. They are pretty nice guys.” Eren then handed them a blankets.

They opened to the door to the bunker, two men were sitting at the table in the middle of the room, whispering to each other. “Hey Reiner, hey Bertholdt.” Eren greeted them with a smile. “These are your new bunk mates. The tall one is Sebastian, and the one with the eyepatch is Ciel.” He introduced.

Sebastian smiled, but Ciel just stared at them. Reiner stood, then held out his hand to greet them. Ciel stared at his hand, but did not take it. Reiner smiled, “Ah, not the shaking hands type are yah. Well alright, hello I’m Reiner.” He pointed to Bertholdt, “and that nervous wreck is Bertholdt.” He said cheerfully. Bertholdt chuckled nervously, and half smiled.

“Well,” Eren started, “I’ll leave you to it then. Have a good night.” then he left. The four of them stared at each other awkwardly for a few seconds. Ciel went over to one of the beds and put his blanket on it.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Sebastien finally said.

“So,” Reiner said, “What brings you two, to the Survey Corps?”

Ciel then spoke, “We are trying to get home.” Ciel took off the uniform jacket and hung it up next to his bed.

Reiner chuckled, “Home? heh, sorry to break it to yah, but outside these walls is a living hell. The earth is covered in titans.” Reiner sat back down in the chair at the table.

“We’re not worried about that.” Ciel said, looking at Sebastian.

“Not worried? You aren’t worried about titans?” He snorted a laugh, “you couldn’t last a day outside the walls. Even for us it’s difficult. Trust me, there is more to us then the eye can see.”

“Than the normal eye?” Sebastian said, “Well trust me when I say, I don’t have normal eyes.” He smirked. Bertholdt seemed more nervous than before, and he kept silent.

Reiner smiled, “Really… Then what can you tell about us?” He asked.

“Well…” Sebastien started, “ You both are very strong, very brave, and…” He paused.

“And what?” Reiner asked eagerly.

“I know that you have the ability to turn into one of those Titan creatures.” He closed his eyes and gave a devilish smile.

Notes:

Thank you for reading! i hope you liked it! i would love your input on this.

REMEMBER: I do NOT own shingeki no kyojin or kuroshitsuji.

AND PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!!!

#black butler fanfiction

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violettelueur · 3 years

Text

— JUJUTSU KAISEN EPISODE TWENTY ONE (PART TWO) || JAMAIS VU

↳ featuring : itadori yuji + fushiguro megumi + kugisaki nobara + gojo satoru from jujutsu kaisen

↳ warnings : EXTREME grammar issues

↳ form : story

↳ published : 27 april

↳ pronouns : she/her

↳ word count : 2.8k

↳ synopsis : within the jujutsu world, there were three famous clans to be aware of, the Kamo clan, Zenin clan and the Gojo clan. However, unknown to many sorcerers there was one last family that was known to be apart of the three, only for them to disappear after the golden era leading some to speculate that they had died in battle after the sealing of ryomen sukuna, but....

↳ previous episode : jujutsu koshien

↳ next episode : the origin of blind obedience

↳ barista’s notes : lets play a little game...find the genshin reference ╲ʕ·ᴥ·　╲ʔ

BEFORE READING, I NEED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THIS:

1. the whole story belongs to Gege Akutami and the credits go to them and them only.

2. the spell curses used belong to Tite Kubo due to them being the ‘Kidos’ being used on the manga and anime ‘Bleach’ - but none is mentioned in this chapter.

2.5. for the ‘cursed spells’/kidos (bleach) i will link this video here and tell you the time stamp to check out what i am intending to show - remember i add a few twist here and there by adding the katana to link with Y/N’s cursed technique : hopefully this video is slightly better...

3. if you are confused on anything, please don’t hesitate to message me since i know this whole thing is so confusing.

“May I ask why you are following me right now?”

At this moment in time, you were seated within a train in the Tokyo Underground Metro travelling to your planned destination wearing a white button-up shirt with the first two buttons loose since it was quite oversized that was tucked into a pair of wide-legged trousers since you didn’t want it to show at the bottom of your large oversized grey v-necked sweater with the final touch of a pair of Stan Smiths that Gojo had gifted you the second you entered the Gojo’s estate after packing the last of your things back at the Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College - ‘think of it as a housewarming gift’ you remember him saying.

Speaking of Gojo…

“Why not~ It’s mine and your’s off-day, so let’s have a father-daughter day out together!” Gojo exclaimed in an excited tone, as he tilted his glasses down to look slightly down at you, showcasing his sparkling blue eyes with a cheeky smile planted on his face.

Turning your head to the side to look at him, you couldn’t help but want to snatch his glasses off and throw them across the other side of the train carriage since you have informed him all the time that you wanted to go on this outing of yours alone due to the fact that you wanted to clear your head about everything that has happened within the past week.

“Also, why the hell are those three following me?” you questioned in an annoyed whispered tone as you turned your head back to face forward before crossing your leg over your other one as you could sense the lingering but obvious trail of cursed energy from the other side of the carriage. However, you didn’t want to make it crystal clear that you knew Itadori, Fushiguro and Kugisaki were sitting on the other end looking at you while trying to not be or look suspicious.

“Well, let’s just say they are worried about you~” Gojo answered before placing one of his hands on the top of your head before beginning to gently ruffle your hair causing you to relax from your tense posture since it left a somewhat warm feeling in your heart - you also have gotten used to this little action of his since he would do the same thing when you were walking around the estate.

“So where are you planning to go? I did jump on this train because you were going in it,” Gojo asked, as he fixed his glasses leading you to look up to find that the next stop was the stop you were looking for, causing you to stand up and walk towards the exit leading Gojo to follow since he was just going by your lead at this moment in time.

“Kiyose Station?” Gojo said in a curious tone, only for you to step out of the train the second the doors opened leading Gojo to follow you as well as the three first-years that were trailing you from behind, just a few feet away to not get caught by you - even though, you already knew that they were stalking you from behind.

‘Really...did these guys forget I can sense their cursed energy?’

“Yeah, I guess I never really told you that I come here every year…’ you quietly confessed, causing Gojo to look at you with a confused expression before wondering why you were willing to take an hour-long journey for something to come to every year on the same day.

“Is that so?” Gojo questioned before looking up to the sky as he took in a deep breath of the fresh air that he was able to obtain after a long journey in the underground train station.

From his view, the sky was quite clear making it known to him that you probably had checked the weather beforehand when you were planning to go wherever he was following you to, you were always the type to be somewhat prepared for the day from what he could remember from past outings. For example, when you and him came out of a cafe to find that it was raining, you immediately took out an umbrella and held it above you and him even when you knew he could use his infinity to protect himself from the wet droplets.

“Don’t use your technique too much, just use an umbrella, you drag,” he recalled you saying and to be honest, he was somewhat gleeful at the fact you treated him the way you did. It was like you cared for him but didn’t want to explicitly admit it or make it too obvious, he felt like you were treating him like he wasn’t above you in the jujutsu world, you were basically the reason why he could relax and get away from the gripping pressure of being ‘the strongest’ - instead, you gave him the role of a father figure that he wasn’t an ideal person for, but you could tell he was trying.

“You know we are here right, you’re too much in a daydream right now,” you announced causing Gojo to snap his head back down to see a simple fence gate in front of a massive and bright field of sunflowers looking at his way like they were greeting him with their yellow happy petals.

“A sunflower field?” Gojo asked in a confused tone causing you to give a somewhat deadpan expression before turning back around to open the gate before entering the large field with other guests already hiding within the mass of tall flowers as you could sense your triplet classmates coming closer.

“You know, I knew I had weird classmates, but I didn’t know how weird…” you mentioned, causing your adoptive father to start laughing before wrapping an arm around your shoulders as you both began to walk around to view the tall flowers that had been planted and grown for the season causing Gojo to somewhat come to the realisation that you had some fascination with flowers ever since he had come to meet you - except for your weird addiction to orange juice that he learned first.

“Wah~ the sunflowers are in full bloom~” Gojo excitedly beamed out, causing some visitors to look at the tall man with a surprised expression to then quickly turn into admiration when they realise how handsome the man looked causing you to cringe since this is what you wanted to avoid coming here.

“So why do you like flowers Y/N?” Gojo suddenly queried you causing you to turn your head up to look at him while continuing to stroll down the path you both were going at, leading you to begin questioning how your fascination with flowers came about and to be honest….

“I don’t know,” you answered in a low tone before turning back to view the beautiful display that was surrounding you with the warmth you needed right now. “I guess...it’s like a remedy...one that I need,” you further explained causing Gojo to look down at you with a small smile before turning his head back slightly over his shoulder to notice his over students a few feet back arguing about whatever they were talking about while trying to keep up with the both of you - it seemed like his unnecessary tall height somewhat helped them to scout both you and him.

“Also, the estate is so dull, you need some sort of colour, so I might as well buy some sunflowers here,” you quickly added, causing the strongest sorcerer to quickly snap his head back to look at you before childishly complaining how the estate looked fine and there was no need to judge the decor of the clan house you were living in at his current moment, only for you to counter his argument with how paintings weren’t helping and the empty antique vases were not going to fill themselves up magically.

“The servants can find flowers, you don’t need to do this yourself,” Gojo mentioned causing you to give him a side look before saying that you wanted to do this, leading Gojo to close his mouth quickly as he suddenly remembered how you would always help out even when they would try to push you away since they were worried about you over-working when you were emotionally recovering this week. He also recollected how you would just admit that you were used to doing chores yourself since you had lived alone for six years before he took you in.

Unexpectantly, you turned somewhere to the right causing Gojo to be somewhat surprised since he didn’t expect you to take a sudden different route, only for his eyes to come into the sudden appearance of a little market place where some people (especially some elders) selling vegetables, small accessories, flowers and what seemed to be some charms.

However, it seemed like you weren’t telling him where you were planning to start since you were now basically just guiding him to wherever you wanted to go - after all, it was his first time here and probably needed some guidance from you.

From behind, Itadori and Kugisaki were chatting about how they were going to stay hidden away from you, while Fushiguro looked exhausted with both of them by his side and somewhat knew that you knew they were following you since he remembered that you were able to sense people’s cursed energy like a tracking system - he even reminded both his classmates about this technique of yours and they flat out ignored it, not recalling his first lesson when him and Itadori were forced into a maid cafe while tailing their teacher.

“Gojo knows a lot of places, doesn’t she?” Kugisaki muttered in amazement as she spun around to obtain a 360-degree view of the sunflower scenery that they were at right now, leading Itadori to agree with her as he smiled happily at the bright-like atmosphere that was surrounding them right now.

“Fushiguro, look! There are so many!” Itadori beamed, leading Kugisaki smacking him on the head before informing him that he was being too loud and they were about to get caught causing Fushiguro to let out a sigh in slight annoyance.

‘I can tell she’s laughing at us, right now’ Fushiguro thought as he could see your shoulders going up and down like how they would when you would giggle.

As time went on, the trio kept tabs on you as you went from market stall to market stall to view those items that the sellers had for sale leading them to wonder what you were looking for since you never really took the time to bring out your wallet and pay for whatever the seller would pitch you.

“These are so cute, why didn’t she buy them?” Kugisaki questioned as she lifted up a pair of sunflower earrings that you had previously viewed causing the seller to start telling her how they made it and how beautiful they would look on her, while Fushiguro looked to the side peering at you and Gojo only to discover you at this one stall where the seasoned sunflowers were being sold.

However, before you could even ask the seller for a bouquet, a little girl sudden ran up to the stall asking their mother if they could get a sunflower, only for the worried woman to inform their child that they weren’t about to afford it due to them using the last of their money to pay for the food that they ate causing the little girl to quickly become quiet before turning back around to view the bright flowers that she wasn’t able to get with tears pending in her eyes.

“Excuse me madam, how much for two flowers?” you asked gently, causing the old woman being the stall to turn her head to look at you before answering your question with a price leading you to place a purchase while adding your bouquet to the order, causing the little girl standing beside you to look at you with a confused expression since she didn’t understand why you were buying a whole bouquet of her favourite flowers with two single ones alone.

While the woman was wrapping the last of the single sunflower she was preparing for you in the classic brown paper, you gently took the one she had finished before handing it to the small child that was by your side, causing her to look at the flower in complete awe before looking up at you, only to see a small but gently smile painted on your face.

“It’s for you,” you informed her in a light and soft tone, leading the girl to slowly take the bouquet away from your grasp before noticing how you were going to pay extra for the black ribbon tied around the flower as well as the white baby breaths that surrounded the single flower before giving the other single flower to them mother that was behind the child, causing the woman to look at you in shock before thanking you for the gift as she didn’t expect you to buy something for her as well after you gifted her daughter with what she wanted.

“What do you say to the nice lady, dear?” the mom questioned her daughter causing the little girl to look confused before realising what she meant as she jumped in excitement.

“Thank you so much, miss!” the girl cheered, causing you to smile at her before excitingly showing the mother the flower you had gifted her as you then turned back around to collect the bouquet that you had brought for yourself as you processed to give her the amount of money needed for the large purchase.

“Shame...and I thought you were giving one each to me and you…” Gojo muttered with a pout, causing you to give him a weirded-out side glance before scoffing in amusement.

“Never in a million years dad,” you answered in a teasing manner before making your way towards the trio that was at the stall behind you, leaving the strongest sorcerer shocked at what you had just said to him, as the duo of Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara screamed at your sudden appearance since they would they were in the clear, while Fushiguro was looking at you with a gentle but his usually stoic face as he somewhat found out about your side of kindness you had for other people.

“Gojo!” Itadori screamed, causing you to give them a small smile.

“So...care to explain why you have been following me since I left the estate? Why is it once you finally get a break from being a sorcerer, rather than taking a rest, you instead come to me?” you questioned in a sinister tone, causing all three of your classmates to shiver at the dark aura that was emitting itself from your body right now.

However, before they were even able to answer in their frightened state, Gojo suddenly launched himself at you from behind with tears in his eyes causing you to yell at him for his childish behaviour, only for him to wrap his arms around your shoulders before rocking you from side to side in pure happiness.

“You called me ‘dad’, come on, say it again! One more time!” Gojo requested in pure glee as tears of happiness streamed down his face with a silly smile, leading the trio behind you to look at the sorcerer with pure horror as you informed him that he was already asking you for too much as once was enough causing Gojo to complain in a childish voice again that ‘it wasn’t too much’ and that you have to say it again, almost causing you to smack the bouquet across his face.

“Let me go!” you yelled out, as you tried to pry Gojo’s arms that were around your shoulder while trying not to crease the flowers that you have just bought only for your adoptive father to cling onto you tighter to which caused your body to give up and you stood there with a disheartened expression on your face, completely forgetting that Itadori, Fushiguro and Kugisaki had followed you here as you had another issue to deal with.

While this was going on, Fushiguro couldn’t help but continue to recall the situation that had happened earlier between you and the little family, especially the small action of your hand going down to pass the flower to the little girl...as if a hand has reached down to him before leading little images of a hand passing him a bandage came into view, yet he didn’t seem to have any recollection of it...like a memory, he technically didn’t remember.

“Gojo?” Fushiguro called you out, causing you to turn to him while grasping on the bright sunflowers that were facing his way as if to give him encouragement to say what he was planning on asking you.

“What’s the opposite of Deja vu?”

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