#'Oh well she came to the village and he had to drive her out after realising she was literally insane and she's been waiting to get back in

[gu6chan]

the brief mention that 1.3 leonard could still be feeling some deep lingering grief over his brothers' deaths still never fails to fascinate me tbh like, does he think of the standards he must have lost since their passing and feel guilt? or does he see them in every child he abuses??? does he keep his grief to himself or does he find it a useful anecdote to what must be a countless number of families dealing with loss??? does the green dragon know? does he confide in it????? since leonard seems to be aware of what arioch lost to the union, just how aware is/was she in what HE lost???????? did they have a role in each other's loss? is THAT where their beef came from??????? im going to merge into a wall

[thewulf]

My Queen || Aragorn

Summary: Request - Can I pleeeease send you an idea where he finds a girl in the woods, hurt and not conscious but he feels the need to help her and be close to her. So he takes care of her wounds till she wakes up and it's like true love at first sight for both of them... Read Rest Here

A/N: OH WOW, this got out of hand QUICK but I had SO MUCH FUNNNN writing this way! It was a challenge but it felt invigorating to write. I am obsessed with Aragorn and I just love him. Margot Robbie is so right for her cinematic crush! Thank you for the request anon, hope you love it :)

Pairing: Aragorn x Reader

Word Count: 10,000 +

TW: Violence, orc violence, poison, death, blood, crying, angst, lotr warnings, Aragorn being hot af

Just a few more stumbling steps. You could do it. Glancing down you grimaced at the crimson coated and tattered dress that you’d been wearing for the last five or so days. It used to be so gorgeous, a gift from the man you were meant to wed. Truly it was the only exquisite gift you’d ever received in your entirety. However now it looked as if it’d seen a thousand lives, just like the elves had. It bore this resemblance due to the attack on your home. You ran. Running far away from everything you knew. It was tough to grasp just how much you’d been through in the five days since you had to flee your small village just outside of Eriador.

You’d had a good life. Good but rather simple. Almost too simple for your taste. You were engaged to be wed to the local jewelers son at your father’s doing. He had assured you over and over again that going through with the wedding would lead you to a life that he could not provide you. A life you were destined for. Your mother, Valar rest her soul, had been killed a few years prior in an attack on your village leaving you with your father and a small place to live. But it was home.

The local jeweler boy, Newall, had asked you to take a walk around the village right before the tragic events occurred. One moment you were giving him your kindest smile. The next he pushed you into the woods after hearing the screaming coming from the village center. Not making your most brilliant decision you decided to follow behind him only to come to the horrifying realization that your seemingly insignificant village was being brutalized by Orc’s. You stood there frozen in fear as you witnessed men, women and children being slain as if they meant nothing. 

It was only when you came face to face with one that you realized how much trouble you were in. Valar save you. He must’ve listened because the Orc simply look at you, growled and pushed you into the side of the house you were standing next to. But then it dawned on you that he wasn’t done. The creature walked to you terrifyingly slow, standing over you before driving it’s sword into your side. Before you could even yelp out in pain the orc vanished leaving you to die presumably. But it was a shallow wound. It didn’t seem like it was trying to do too much damage. Orcs knew one thing, killing. It was odd that one would have spared you.

When you finally came back to the reality of the situation you knew you had to go. Run to Bree. Your dad always instructed that’s where you needed to go. You had an uncle up there that could look after you. Deciding not to waste another second you rushed inside the house grabbing whatever clothing you could find. Tying a pair of Newall’s pants around your waste to hopefully stop the bleeding you only grabbed a little bit of food before you made for the forest. You’d have to find something along the way. The trek to Bree would take nearly a month on foot.

Using the stars as guidance you moved through the forest you knew very well. It started out fine. You were trained to do just this. Your father had made sure of it. What you hadn’t considered was the poison from the orc blade that was slowly taking its toll on your body. It was the fourth night that you realized you were in serious trouble. On the fifth day you decided you weren’t going to be able to go any further. No wonder the Orc didn’t just kill you there. He left you to suffer. What a vile creation. 

It didn’t take you long to decide on where you wanted to die. You found a nice tree under the shade of the leaved with a comfortable base. You were just going to go to sleep and hopefully never wake up. Hopefully the poison would just do what it wanted to and let you finally go. 

That did not happen though. You felt a light kick on your boot forcing your eyes to open. What you weren’t expecting was a rather handsome looking ranger with ice blue eyes to be staring right at you. Considering what to do.

“Miss,” He knelt down after whispering something to his horse, “Are you injured?” His surprisingly concerned eyes spotted the blood that coated your worn-down dress.

Taking a long breath, you mustered enough strength to answer the stranger, “Yea, Master Ranger.” You let your head lean back on the trunk of the tree relieving the strain it seemed to put on year mere consciousness.

“Forgive me, but you do not look it miss.” His head was level with yours as he moved closer to you. He didn’t dare touch you without your permission, but he wanted too, you were not all right like you so miserably tried to convince him.

A shallow breath escaped you, “I fear I have been stabbed by an Orc blade Ranger. I do not have much longer.” Your eyes flicked away from his in a pathetic attempt to rid him of the conversation. He would have no such thing though. Leave a fair maiden to perish on her own? Not on his accord.

“Strider.” He corrected you. It wasn’t often he’d give out his Ranger known name to strangers, but you seemed harmless enough. What could a human woman such as yourself have done to deserve such a fate he wondered before continuing on, “We are but a half days journey to a small town called Sarn Ford. Have you heard of it miss?” He asked in hopes of seeing your eyes open once more.

You did as he wished and looked at him again, “Sarn Ford? Oh dear. I’ve gone the wrong direction.” You grimaced in pain as you tried to sit up higher on the tree trunk.

“Where are traveling to miss? On your own?” He held out an open hand for you to take. He left the decision on if you’d accept the help up to you.

Eyeing his hand, you knew he was prying. But he seemed trustworthy. The Rangers of the North were meant to be. Strider as he called himself. Your eyes met his again and you caved right then and there. He looked genuine, like he thought he could actually help you. Like you were not too far gone. With all the strength you could muster in your quickly fading body you put your hand in his, “Aye. My village was attacked by orcs. Third time in the last five years. They got me this time.” You sighed trying your hardest to stay conscious, “I was meant to travel to Bree. But I must have taken to the wrong direction. I will be blaming the Orc poison for the misdirection.” You let out a pained laugh trying to lighten the tone of the conversation going on between the two of you.

“All right. Off we go. What is your name?” He asked you needing to know to continue.

He watched you intently sputter out the words you were trying to get out. His fear of orc poison was right, you truly did not have that much time left. With your permission he scooped you up in his arms, called his horse over and positioned you in front of him while he rode. He knew you did not have enough strength to hold on from behind. He knew It would be a challenge to keep you upright on the journey back to Sarn Ford. He was meeting Gandalf there, anyway, might as well help the woman who he had taken a fast liking towards. Even Strider could see the beauty in things, and you were mighty beautiful in his eyes. Even coated in layers of dirt and grime he knew you shined like a star above him.

“Y/N.” You admitted to the man not feeling up to lying to him. You would likely be dead before dawn anyway. You would have hoped he would find a way to let anybody surviving know of your unfortunate fate. But in reality you were just another causality of war. A human life cut far too short.

“Lovely name.” He smiled lowly as he held you into him. He could feel you were fading in and out of consciousness as he held onto your waist tightly.

You hummed in thanks not having the strength to reply to him.

“Hold on miss Y/N. We will be there soon.” He spoke into your ear startling you back onto the middle earth side of consciousness.

But as much as he tried you had succumbed to your own fate. Blackness took over before you reached the village of Sarn Ford.

Much to your own surprise your eyes opened once more. You peaked around seeing all sorts of supplies. You must have been in some sort of healers room you concluded quickly. Looking down you were not in your attire you had been found in but a simple dress that you were more accustomed too. Being so caught up in your own accord you had yet to see the two men. Well one man and one wizard standing off to the side conversing as you came back to reality.

“Welcome young one.” The wizard spoke. You had never seen one before. Thought they were the thing of legends. But sure, as it would be one stood before you. They were easy to spot. Had an aura about them.

Your eyes snapped back to Striders looking at him in surprise. He was more handsome than you remembered as the sun beat down on his features through the window in the hut you were in, “It is all right.” He nodded at you, “This is Gandalf the Grey, he is an old friend of mine.”

“Hello Gandalf.” You broke your eyes away from the stranger your somewhat knew and turned your head towards the wizard.

“How are you fairing?” He asked whilst leaning onto his cane.

“Fine now. Thank you.” You turned toward Strider who made his way closer, “Thank you Strider. For without you I fear I may have been dead by now.” A shiver of realization ripped down your spine as you admitted it out loud.

He bowed his head, “I am honored to have been of service miss Y/N.” You looked over to him giving him a bashful smile. He was really so handsome. More handsome than any of the boys or men in your small village.

“Are you well enough to travel?” Gandalf asked breaking the trance the two of you had been locked in for a moment too long to be just friendly glances. Gandalf was considered wise for a reason. He had an inkling feeling there was something budding between his usually broody friend and the pretty human girl he had found in the woods. Maybe you were his gift from Valar. Every great leader needed one. Who was Gandalf to question the gods.

“I believe so.” You sat you wincing only slightly as the wound in your side. Strider wanted nothing more than to push you back down and curse the wizard who suggested you move so soon.

“Miss Y/N. You need to rest a little longer.” He insisted placing a gentle hand on your shoulder preventing you from standing.

Gandalf grumbled, “You must get to the Prancing Pony Inn. I’m going to meet Frodo now. Time is of the essence Aragorn.”

Your eyes crumbled in confusion. Who was Aragorn?

He did not leave you time to question as he grabbed at your hand, “Come miss Y/N. We have a ride to take.”

You sat at the bar table with Strider who had hood of his robe covering his face. You grew more uneasy as the night wore on at the Prancing Pony. The horse ride was quick thankfully. And much to your delight the Hobbits Gandalf was speaking of finally appeared. Right on time.

Strider shot up from his seat, “Wait here miss Y/N. I must save the Hobbit.” He sighed before bounding off into the depths of the bar. You felt even more uneasy as the eyes around you made their way to your shaking frame. You were nervous.

After far too many moments alone he grabbed you by your arms, “Come Y/N. We must hide.” He directed you to another room than the ones you had planned on staying in.

“Strider?” You asked following him up a set of stairs you were unfamiliar with.

“Nazgul. I’ll explain later. For now, you must sleep. We have a long journey to Rivendell. Especially with the Hobbits.” He let a long breath while opening the door for you. Quickly, you were attacked by questions from the four little Hobbits. Happily, though you answered every single one before lying next to Strider who promised to keep watch.

“You should get some rest too.” You whispered hoping not to wake the sleeping Hobbits.

He nodded, “I shall. In due time. I fear we have something coming.”

Your frown was evident as he continued to try and comfort you, “Do not fret. I am keeping watch for a reason. We are safe.”

“I believe you Strider.” You yawned not being able to keep the tiredness away for much longer.

“Rest.” He commanded.

You were far too tired to argue that as the darkness crept in.

You were woken when the screeching next door commenced. The Hobbits must’ve had more sensitive ears as they were already up and staring at Strider who looked glum.

“What are they?” Frodo asked.

He sat at the window looking at the five of you, “They were once men. Great kings of men. The Sauron the Deceiver gave to them nine rings of power.” You felt a shiver ripple across your body. You’d heard the legends and did not believe those either. Yet again, another thing coming true right before your eyes.

“We must move.” He commented seeing the Nazgul retreating away from the inn.

You must have walked for miles until Strider had the five of you rest at the old watchtower of Amon Sul. You stood there behind the Hobbits staring up the decaying rock structure before you. It must have been grand in its time.

Once you were seated next to the Hobbits he stood and tossed each of you a weapon, “These are for you. Keep them close. I’m going to have a look around. Miss Y/N, will this blade be too large for you?” He handed you a smaller sword for you to try.

“I fear you have too much faith in me Strider.” You unsheathed the sword holding onto it carefully, “But this will work.” You nodded towards him.

“You shall not have to use it. In case only.” He pointed at each of you, “I will be back. Rest. Make no noise or sound.” His command was easy to follow. A natural born leader it seemed.

You woke when you heard Frodo yelling from beside you, “What are you doing?” He yelled a little too loud. You rose from the ground you had managed to sleep on and watched the interaction unfold. You cursed when you saw the fire going. He had not explicitly said no fires, but the intention was there.

“Put it out you fools!” Frodo cried. You rose from your slumber and haphazardly helped him put it out.

The horrifying cry you heard from the Nazgul the night before rang out from outside the watch tower.

“Oh no.” You spotted them coming towards you, “No Strider?” You turned to Frodo with a horrifying realization.

He shook his head, “Go! Up!” You followed the Hobbits to the top of the tower and waited. You shivered when you saw them come from the shadows. You heard nothing but your hammering heart in your chest. This was it. This could be the end. You sword was shaking in your hand.

“Back you devils!” Sam screamed trying to shield them off. You blocked a shot but was stopped when Frodo pulled the ring out. You gasped when they all ran from him. To your horror when he put the ring on he disappeared.

Strider came out of nowhere blocking back the Nazgul from all of you. You ran to Frodo in horror seeing the man defend the five of you with ease. A few of them went up in flames as kept fighting them off. They had enough when he got another went up and flames and ran off. Strider quickly came over to the five of you surrounding Frodo. You had your hand on his horrifyingly black wound. You’d never seen poison like that before.

“Help him Strider!” You cried in a shaky voice once he kneeled down next to you.

He picked the sword up shaking his head slowly, “He’s been stabbed by a Morgul blade.” The blade vanished in his hand as Frodo writhed beneath you, “This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine.”

You looked down at the Hobbit in pain and let a single tear fall, “We will get you the help you need mister Frodo. Rest assured.” He picked the Hobbit up and began running, “Let us go.”

The four of you trailed Strider in a daze. The Nazgul screams seemed to ring out from every direction as you ran, “Hurry!” he shouted at the four of you with Frodo crying in his arms.

“We are six days from Rivendell! He will never make it!” Sam cried sending a shuddering realization through you.

You simply heard a faint whisper come from Strider ahead of you, “Hold on, Frodo.” From Strider who kept running and did not acknowledge Sam. As tired as you were you had to keep moving for Frodo’s sake. You ran and ran until you could no more and then you ran some more.

He only stopped when he ran into three petrified trolls. He set Frodo down looking around frantically. You and Sam went over to look after him. Same placed a gentle hand to the despondent Hobbit.

Sam shuddered at the touch, “Mr. Frodo! He’s going cold.”

“Is he going to die?” Pippen chimed in. You stood back looking over the shivering Hobbit who long since stopped crying out in pain.

Strider turned to the five of you with a concerned look crossing over his features, “He’s passing into the Shadow World. He’ll soon become a Wraith like them.” He stated so calmly. Your face grimaced at the horrifying realization. Frodo becoming a Nazgul?

Strider continued, “Sam, do you know the Athlelas plant?” You listened in but bent down to hold Frodo’s hand hoping some comfort would help the gasping Hobbit. His eyes were glazing over with something of a blue sheen that sent shivers down your body.

“Athelas?” Sam asked confused by the question.

“Kingsfoil.” Strider tried a different name.

Sam nodded, “Kingsfoil, aye, it’s a weed!”

“It may help the poisoning. Hurry!” He pushed the Hobbit off, “Miss Y/N. Stay with Frodo. We will be back with help.” You nodded holding onto his hand dearly.

Not a few moments later you saw the help arriving. A beautiful elf strode over and down to the quickly fading Hobbit. You took a step back as she took a step towards him. You gaped at the beauty that she was leaning down to your newfound friend. An elf in real life. She was beyond your wildest imagination. You had been told of their beauty, but this was bordering on ethereal.

“I am Arwen. I have come to help you.” She whispered into his ear, “Hear my voice. Come back to the light.” She grabbed at his hand while Strider handed her the plant.

“Who is she?” Merry asked quietly as Frodo was tended to.

“Arwen, an elf.” You whispered repeating what you heard her speak to Frodo not seconds ago, “She’s going to save him.” You said out loud to convince yourself more so than the group of Hobbits.

“Frodo,” She whispered, “He’s fading.” She sounded concerned as she looked over to Strider, “He’s not going to last. We must get him to my father.” The two of them stood as Strider grabbed at Frodo, “I’ve been looking for you for two days.” She said to Strider. You watched as the scene unfolded before you not wanting to get in the way of whatever was occurring.

“Where are you taking him?” Sam asked confused and terribly concerned for his friend.

He was ignored as Arwen continued, “There are five Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know.” You watched as Strider put Frodo onto the horse with ease.

Suddenly Strider started talking in what you assumed to be Sindarin as you could not understand what they were saying. They must have agreed upon something as Arwen hopped onto the horse and took off with Frodo. Your mind was sent into a spiral as you guessed where he was going and off so quickly.

“She is taking him to Rivendell. To Lord Elrond for him to be healed. She is the faster rider and will get him there sooner. Come, we must go.” He motioned for the group to keep moving, “Miss Y/N, will you walk with me?”

You nodded speeding up your pace to match his, “Master Strider.”

“Strider is fine.” He hummed as he led the group out of the forest somehow knowing exactly where to go.

“Is he going to make it?” You had to ask him. The thought of his passing was eating at you.

He nodded, “His best chance is with Arwen. The sooner we get to Rivendell the sooner we will find out.”

“Well then let us speed up our pace then.” You smiled up at him.

He chucked and nodded. The two of you walked in a comfortable silence as you occasionally made sure the chatty Hobbits behind you were faring all right.

“She is pretty.” You spoke after a while of not being able to get Arwen’s face out of your mind.

“Arwen?” He questioned you giving you a curious once over seeing that the statement seemingly came out of nowhere.

“Aye. She is beautiful.”

“She is. Most elves are.” He agreed with you, “She is wed to another healer. Her father set the marriage up ages ago before you great great grandmother was even a thought.”

“Oh, to have the lifespan of an elf!” You laughed feeling the weight of whatever tension you were holding onto about Arwen be lifted.

“I bet it is not all that it seems to be.” You nodded as the two of you continued on the trek to Rivendell occasionally chatting about random things back and forth. You were so caught up in him you failed to notice the Hobbits watching the two you of converse the entire journey back as if you were already a married couple just strolling the lands.

“Welcome to Rivendell miss Y/N.” Aragorn smiled when he saw your gaping face taking in all the scenery stretching beyond your wildest imagination. He too was struck in awe by its beauty the first time he had come across it all those years ago.

“This cannot be real.” You gasped as he took your hand, pulling you along to look along the city.

“Aye. It is. Come, I want to show you your living quarters for the time being.” He pulled you along knowing exactly where to go in Lord Elrond’s castle. He stopped in what you assumed to be the center seeing two people walking towards the two of you. The wizard and a dark-haired elf stopped just short of you.

“Ah, welcome young one.” Gandalf walked up with who you assumed to be Lord Elrond, “It is wonderful to see you in one piece. Unlike our young Frodo.” He chuckled not realizing what he had said sounded bad without knowing how he was.

Your face dropped, “Oh no, did he not make it?”

Gandalf shook his head hastily in realization of his error, “He is fine young one. A few more hours and he would not have made it.” Gandalf stepped forward, placing a hand on your shoulder in reassurance, “Aragorn here will show you to your chambers.”

You cocked your head to the side, “Aragorn? You said that back in Sarn Ford as well. Who is Aragorn?” This really was not your place to speak in front of so many important people. But you were always a curious one, so you had to ask. The worst they could do is refuse to elaborate any further and you would not press. You did understand boundaries even if you pushed them.

Strider looked at Gandalf with a question in his gaze. Gandalf always had a plan. He could see the feelings bubbling to the surface for Aragorn for his newfound human companion that had to be a gift from Valar himself. Gandalf knew the longer he kept his identity from you the harder the breach of trust would befall the two of you.

Gandalf nodded giving his friend a push towards you. He knew Aragorn had to admit this to you himself. You saw Lord Elrond cock his head in confusion watching the interaction go down. He must not have been privy to what had been going down in Gandalf’s mind.

“Ah, miss Y/N. Strider is my Ranger name. It is my identity. As is Aragorn. Son of Arathorn.” He spoke slowly watching as your face twisted from confusion to realization. You may have been from Eriabor, but you surely knew who Arathorn was.

He continued, “I am also called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor."

“A rightful King?” You asked him with widened eyes. You had no clue that you had been traveling with such a company. You had been so crass it made you want to run away right then and there, especially with Gandalf and Lord Elrond’s amused gazes watching the interaction between two humans.

He nodded, “You are correct.”

“Aragorn.” You spoke for the first time giving him a wide smile, “I do like it. It suits a King such as yourself. Would you mind if I continued to call you Strider though?” Bowing your head slightly you felt a rush of embarrassment pulsate through you. Why were you so unladylike? It was all so thoughtless when he was just a Ranger. Not a bloody King of Gondor.

He waited until your eyes met his again, “No need to bow miss Y/N. And thank you. You may call me either.”

A quick head nod was interrupted by Gandalf, “We must be off. Aragorn drop the young one off at her residence. You are free to explore the castle and Rivendell. But we will need you to meet us in the gardens. We have much to discuss before the Council of Elrond shows up in a few days.” Gandalf spoke directly to Strider who just nodded in agreement.

“Come miss Y/N.” He took your hand and pulled you along quickly, “You will enjoy your stay here. It is a wonderful place. There is quite a bit to do, and the elves are very kind.” He tried his best to reassure you knowing that Gandalf was right. You could not go on. You were not prepared for this kind of journey to any extent. Gandalf also revealed of Aragorn’s known feelings for you. You would be a distraction he could not have along the journey.

“It seems like it.” You grinned thankful you were able to do your own thing for the afternoon. You felt bad for Strider or Aragorn. He seemed to have quite a bit of business to attend to.

He stopped at a door letting you inside. It was small but quant and rather extravagant. Fine details laced every surface. You’d come to expect nothing less from the elves, “I will find you later. Enjoy your day miss Y/N.”

The days went by slowly as you got acquainted with Rivendell. You had the sneaking suspicion your journey was also stopping as Strider was not so keen on giving you any information even though he was gone for days on end.

It was on the day of the gathering of the Council of Elrond that you had all but given up. That was until there was a rapid knocking at your door. Thankfully your elf maiden Nimloth had made sure you were dressed as Strider stood before you with a smile on his face, “Come miss Y/N. The Council of Elrond is starting soon.”

“I am invited?” You were sure there was a dumb look on your face.

He nodded slowly, “Gandalf insisted. Lord Elrond relented.”

You followed him in silence to the gathering of the council. You sat behind Frodo closer to Lord Elrond and away from all of the action that was sure to go down.

It was not long after you took a seat that Lord Elrond stood gathering the council to begin, “Strangers from distant lands, friends of old and new,” His eyes met yours giving you a small wink before continuing on, “You’ve been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fail. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the ring, Frodo.” A shiver ran down your spine at his straight to the point opening. This was not good.

You watched as Frodo stood and dropped the ring on the stump in the middle of the council.

You heard the man called Boromir speak up, “So it is true.” He looked at the ring with something of desire lacing it. You looked at Strider who was watching the man skeptically. He continued, “The doom of man. It is a gift.” Your heart raced at such a senseless statement. You watched as Strider grew angry at his arrogance.

Nevertheless, Boromir continued, “A gift of the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? Long has my father the Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against them.” He passionately spoke hoping to gain the agreement of the Council.

But Strider would have none of that false speak, “You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.” Your heart rate sped down at the sensible statement to the man you had grown quite fond of in your week or so of traveling. You had grown a strong liking to the handsome Ranger who saved your life without a second thought.

Boromir looked skeptically at Strider, “And what would a Ranger know of this matter?” He asked with a smug look to his face. You wanted to slap that look right off of his face for he had no clue who he was talking to! A king!

But the elf called Legolas stood quickly in his defense, “This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, Son of Arathon.” You watched as his face scrunched up in a minor irritation. He had tried so hard to keep that a secret and now it was out, “You owe him your allegiance.” He finished looking just as irritated as Strider did. It still felt weird to call him Aragorn. So, you kept up with Strider.

Boromir turned back to him, “Aragorn.” He spoke with a hint of shock in his tone, “This is Isildur’s heir?”

“An heir to the throne of Gondor.” Legolas spoke earning a glare from Strider who spoke to him in Elvish quickly. You wondered what he said because Boromir looked suddenly very angry.

Boromir nearly spat with vengeance while looking at the blond elf, “Gondor has no king.” He turned to look back at Strider and shook his head, “Gondor needs no king.”

Gandalf spoke up breaking the tension among men, “Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.”

Lord Elrond stood, “You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed.”

The dwarf called Gimli stood then, “What are we waiting for?” He grabbed his axe and sliced at it in attempt to shatter it. Of course, that did nothing but startle the entire council into submission.

“The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin... by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade.” Lord Elrond spoke matter of factly. You watched as Frodo nearly collapsed from the pain and realization. You laid a gentle hand on his shoulder hoping he would find some solace in the touch.

Lord Elrond continued, “It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came.” Your heart was hammering in your chest at the realization. This would be no easy task for anybody let alone a Hobbit and human group, “One of you, must do this.” Lord Elrond commanded sending your head into so many different directions. Would Strider go? Would the Hobbits? Surely you would never be able to go. No, Strider would never allow it. He had made that very clear.

Boromir sighed, “One does not simply walk into Mordor. It’s Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, and ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly.”

Legolas was angry now. He shot up from his seat spitting his words at the man, “Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed.”

Gimli spoke up next, “And I suppose you think you are the one to do it!” The tension grew in the air as everyone began to feel uneasy of the task at hand.

Boromir stood next, “And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?”

Gimli continued, “I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!” He shouted. Your eyes went wide as everything seemed to be going away from the goal at hand, “Never trust an Elf!”

The group erupted in bickering as you and Frodo sat back in fear of what was going to happen. All but suddenly you watched as Frodo stood. He shouted, “I will take it.” It took him a few attempts before the group heard him.

“I will take the Ring to Mordor.” He said again once everyone had quieted down. You gulped as you watched the scene unfold.

He spoke again, “Though, I do not know the way.”

Gandalf nodded, “I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins as long as it is yours to bear.”

You sat further back into your chair as you watched Strider stand, “If by my life or death I can protect you I will.” Your heart sunk at his words. He caught your forlorn gaze and gave you a simple smile. He walked to Frodo and knelt before the small Hobbit, “You have my sword.”

Legolas stepped forward, “And you have my bow.” Your heart raced seeing the elf walk forward. Thank goodness he volunteered. You had heard stories of the mighty elf warrior of Mirkwood.

“And my ax.” Gimli agreed as he walked towards the growing group. You stood from your spot away from the group, closer towards Lord Elrond. Almost as if you had already known your assigned fate.

Boromir joined slowly, “You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council then Gondor will see it done.” He stood by the group.

Suddenly the other hobbits joined in earning a hard-earned smile from Lord Elrond.

“Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.” You watched as Elrond anointed the group complete. Your downcast eyes found Striders who looked at you with all the care in the world. You were more than nervous for the man you had grown so fond of so quickly. Dare you say you might actually have real genuine feelings for the man standing in the group of nine.

“The journey is no place for a lady.” Strider insisted as he pulled you away from the fellowship. He had conjured up a hundred scenarios in his mind and decided you could not come after seeking the guidance of Gandalf. It was far too dangerous for someone as delicate as you were. He shuddered at the thought of seeing you with a sword far too big for you trying your best to defend not only yourself but the Hobbits from the Nazgul. He never wanted to see or put you in such a situation as that ever again.

Your look broke his heart ten times over. It is not like he wanted to leave you in Rivendell with the elves. He would do anything to take you, but it was just far too dangerous. The encounter with the Nazgul did it in enough for him to hold firm on the decision, “I’m not a lady Aragorn, and you know it! But I understand.” You countered but admitted your faults. You were nothing but a lowly peasant from a tiny village near Eriador. You didn’t mean much to middle earth, a place holder for whatever Valar had planned.

He twisted his head to the side giving you a once over and a sly smile, “Not yet anyway.” He walked towards you, stopping right in front of you. Wanting to say the next word so all the elves and Hobbits behind him couldn’t hear. Having to turn your head up to make eye contact he leaned forward and whispered in your ear, “I have every intention of making you one, my lady.”

Your eyes growing wide and the rosiness that formed on your neck and cheeks made the elves behind him laugh in unison amongst themselves. You noticed the confusion lining the Hobbits faces, no doubt wonder what he had said to you to illicit such a reaction.

You looked back to him with the hint of smile dancing on your lips, “They can hear you Strider.”

He brushed the pads of his fingers along your jawline, “Let them.” He had yet to be so forthcoming with his feelings so far. Sure, you had only known him a little over a week but you had not left his side since you met him. It had already felt so long ago. And when the heart knew it knew. It knew it had feelings for the handsome man with the most beautiful blue eyes that looked at you so kindly standing before you.

“Please be safe.” Your eyes welled with unshed tears as you accepted his command. You could not go along with them. You’d be nothing but the burden you so desperately wanted to avoid. But you also did not want to stay in Rivendell. The elves seemed welcoming enough but who knew how long he would have to be gone. You would surely overstay your welcome.

A curt nod came from the man you’d grown to love in such a short amount of time, “As you wish.” He moved his fingers to your eyes brushing away the tears that had managed to spill over, “Do not cry. I will be back as soon as I can.” The moment felt far too intimate to have the whole company trying not to watching but paying close attention anyway, they were not being sly about like they thought they were. They had all grown to adore you in some capacity, more some than others. Pippen was especially sad your journey had ended there. He had quite enjoyed getting to know you along the short trek from The Shire to Rivendell. You were unlike any other mortal he had met.

“I know. But you will find me in Bree.” You answered him letting the tears fall even as you tried your best to stop them.

He shook his head quickly, “No, you will stay here. In Rivendell. You will be protected here. Lord Elrond has assured me of that.” That sounded more like Aragorn than the Strider you knew. It hit you that the rightful King of Gondor was standing right in front of you. No wonder he had seemed so effortless in leading the group to Rivendell. It was in his blood.

“I do not belong here Aragorn.” You spoke in a plea muttering his actual name for just the second time. It still felt foreign, but you welcomed it on your tongue. Aragon, King of Gondor.

His eyes piqued up in utter curiosity at the sudden name change. You had seemed so adamant on continuing to call him by his Ranger name despite finding his true identity through Gandalf, “You can find an identity here my lady. Lord Elrond will not let that falter. Do you not believe me?” He frowned not enjoying seeing you in such a distressed state. He too had grown to have deep feelings for you. You were kind and compassionate. Smarter than you knew. Made him smile more than he ever had in his life in the short time he had known you. You kept him on his toes, and he adored that about you. He grew to like maybe even love you in mere days.

“I am a burden here. Useless. They will get sick of me.” You were pleading to him now. If you knew better you would not be pushing somebody of such high stature.

He gulped not knowing what to say. He could pick up on your stress through your expression and the way you picked at your fingernails. A habit he’d seen both at the Inn and when the group was attacked by the Nazgul. Just as he was about to open his mouth he heard Elrond from behind him. And bless him he thought for he had no idea how to calm your racing mind.

“Have you not enjoyed your stay here at Rivendell? Do you not wish to stay?” Lord Elrond spoke up after hearing the concerns you had spoken in private to Aragorn. He knew he likely should have just stayed quiet and let Aragorn handle the situation. But his overly sensitive ears could pick up the frantic panic in your voice towards the man.

You shook your head quickly, “No my lord. I wish to not be a burden to your home. You see I… I do not have much to offer your city.” You hung your head in shame hoping you did not fully insult Elrond. He had already been so kind to you.

“A burden?” He shook his head walking over to the two of you. All eyes still watching the interaction with the utmost curiosity, “You would hardly be a burden. I will be honest with you. With many of the elves planning to take to the sea I will need some help preparing. You will have a place here. Rest assured.”

A small sigh let out from your chest. Aragorn watched you intently with a bright smile on his face seeing the Elf relax your mind in mere moments. Leave it to Elrond to calm you down so easily. He needed to take a page or two from his book.

“Are you sure Lord Elrond?” You asked timidly to the much, much taller elf. Why’d they have to be so beautiful and intimidating at the same time?

He gave you a quick nod before turning, “I have already made up my mind child. Now let us go. The Fellowship has much planning to do before they are off in a few days.” He motioned for you to follow him.

You turned back to Aragorn before you left, “I wish you luck. I will see you soon. Be safe.” Taking a risk, you grabbed for his hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Anything for you my lady.” You caught the brief wink he had given you before bowing his head.

You walked over to the rest of the group, “I wish you all nothing but the best. Please take care of each other. I want to see you all when this is over. Yea?” Your voice broke at the end.

The Hobbits crowded around you giving you one last hug, “We will take your word to heart Lady Y/N.” Pippen smiled as he hugged your side.

“I am no lady.” You laughed once more. Where had they all gotten this ridiculous notion from?

“That’s not what Legolas told us.” Frodo smirked while looking over at Aragorn was deep in conversation with Boromir not paying a lick of attention to the goodbyes you were giving. It hurt him just as much as it was hurting you so he distracted himself with the other man in the Fellowship.

Your eyes found the blonde elf who attempted to feign innocence for the second time that afternoon, “You are a rightful menace Legolas.” You muttered to him almost finding enjoyment out of his butting in.

He shrugged innocently, “I am not sure what you are talking about Lady Y/N.”

You smiled shaking your head while giving each Hobbit a quick squeeze, “Good luck Legolas. Please watch out for him?” Your request may have been too much for the elf and you knew it. A big ask that you would have never of done had you not fallen for him so quickly.

But he agreed, “You have my word, my lady.” He smirked sensing your aversion to the formality you so desperately tried to avoid.

A quick shake of the head and you went off to follow Elrond you was waiting for you patiently in the distance, “I will see you all soon.” You waved, not waiting for their response as it felt to be too much in the moment. It amazed you

“Thank you for your hospitality Lord Elrond.” You said quickly once you caught up to the dark-haired elf.

He gave you what you was sure was a genuine smile, “It brings me a great pleasure to host you Lady Y/N.”

Your mouth gaped, “Is he forcing you to say that?” Surely you were going to have to get used to the title if Elrond had agreed to it. It would be shameful to try and correct the ruler of the land. Even you had some semblance of sanity and preservation.

Elrond shook his head quickly. He gave you a serious expression, one that you were not used to seeing from elf, “Aragorn is the rightful heir to the Throne of Gondor. We recognize the title here in Rivendell. I respect what he wishes. If he has given you that title you should wear that as a badge of honor.”

“You think so?” You thought you might have been pressing your luck with the lord. But he had the patience of somebody you had never met before. He was like no human you knew even if he was half of it.

If he was offended at your questioning he hid it well. A small smile adorned his features as he led you down the path to an empty room in the castle he had placed you in earlier, “I know so. When you have been around as long as I. You tend to notice these small things.”

He stopped in front of a door you had not been privy too in your prior explorations, “Your quarters for the time being. I had Nimloth move your belongings from your previous room to here. I suspect you will find it adequate.”

Your eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets when he opened the massive wood doors. The most intricate carvings of wood was placated on every surface of the room. The detail and craftsmanship was beyond anything you had seen in your tiny little village. You ran your fingers along the different sets of furniture admiring the fine detail that was crafted into every surface, “More than adequate Lord Elrond. Thank Nimloth for me?” You asked after finding all your belongings neatly put away.

He bowed to you. An elf bowed to you! What had this life become? Once so lost now you were somebody a lord found pleasure in conversing with.

“I will see to it. She will fetch you for dinner as well. Welcome to Rivendell.” Without waiting for a response, he shut the doors behind him letting you be with your thoughts. And oh, were they racing beyond your wildest measure.

It had been 414 days since Aragorn and the Fellowship had set out to destroy the ring. You refused to give up any sort of hope as you heard bits and pieces of information from Lord Elrond. You had grown close to elf in your stay at Rivendell. He had given you sage life advice time and time again. You were there for him when Arwen and his sons went off to sea not to be seen again until he were to take his trip. You knew he was utterly lonely and wanting nothing more than to go be with his wife and children. But he had a duty to middle earth that he would see too. He would see that the age of man had a true leader in Aragorn to guide peace and prosperity forward. He knew the age of elf was done and good. Frodo just had to finish it by destroying the ring.

You were sitting in the study reading a text in Sindarin, Lord Elrond had taught you enough of the language to get by, when you heard the doors to the study open with a loud thud. You set the text down on the desk as you peaked your head towards the door.

“Lady Y/N?” Lord Elrond’s voice called out.

You stood from your chair, “Yes my lord?” You caught him smiling ear to ear at the front of the study. A giddy feeling of shock shot throughout your body in anticipation for what might come next.

“They are back.”

You felt like your heart might have actually stopped beating there for a second, “Aragorn?” You asked breathlessly.

“Alive and well. Come.” He motioned you to follow him just like he had all those days ago when you first got to Rivendell.

When you spotted him out in the courtyard you did not give a second thought about being a lady anymore. You all out sprinted to the man who had consumed you whole in his time away. He wrapped you in his arms once you ran right into his chest. Letting out a small grunt from the impact he started laughing. A full-on belly laugh rang out from the man as he held you in his arms once more.

“You came back.” You felt the tears forming in your eyes as you buried yourself in his chest.

He held you in his arms as tightly as he could relishing in the moment of just being there with you, “I gave you my word, my lady. Did I not?” He pulled you back so he could look at you. Ethereal. Rivendell had been nothing but good to you he concluded. He would have to thank Lord Elrond for being so hospitable towards the one he had loved.

“You did. Thank you.” You grasped him a little tighter as he clinged onto you just the same.

You gasped opening the letter from the Shire, “Sam and Rose!” You ran over to Aragorn with a gleeful smile on your face, “Look, they are to be wed in six months! Long after you are crowned King. I would like to go.”

“Ahh, finally.” Aragorn grabbed the letter from your hand with a smile on his face. You admired him as he read the joyous news of the union. He was so handsome. And he was soon to be crowned King of Gondor, Gandalf had shared with the group the night they came back. He was due to be crowned in two months’ time in Minas Tirith. It gave time for all parties to travel to the desired destination to see the rightful heir be crowned king.

“I was worried he would never go for it. We shall go if you will have me?” Aragorn noted as he smoothed out the robes for tomorrow’s crowning. He had felt more nervous of the thought of proposing to you than he was about being crowned King. Valar calm his nerves.

“Aye. I would love to go with you Aragorn. But is that so? Had he been shy about her?” You asked your love that you were almost afraid to admit to.

He nodded recalling all the time Samwise made comments about the Hobbit he had loved from afar, “He was never the most risk adverse. I think the journey changed him.”

“Yea.” You nodded, “It was good for him.”

He nodded his head. His soft expression hardening just a tinge as he took you in, “You are so beautiful. When I did not think that I was going to make it… the thought of you kept me going. I am so honored to have you by my side.”

You leaned your head back into his chest letting the sun beat down on the two of you as he had helped you prepare for the journey to his rightful home. He had been to Minas Tirith many times before, but never as the King. He was overjoyed at the thought of bringing you to his home. He was not lying before when he promise to make you his lady. He was planning to wed to you not too long after he was crowned King.

“It is my honor Aragorn.” You felt him squeeze his hand along your waist.

He had taken you to his new home by horse. Just the two of you heading to his Kingdom. He wanted to spend the time with you and get to know you. And he was more than glad he did. He did not think it to be possible, but he had fallen more deeply in love with you on the month-long trek to Gondor. It had solidified what he had planned to do, propose to you as soon as he was crowned King. He had gotten Lord Elrond in on the plan as well. Surely, you would be more than irritated at the public display, but he knew you would soon get over it.

Your eyes lit up in amazement at the city that had spring up before you once you had finally made it after a little over a month on the road. It was more massive than even Rivendell had been. You had no idea such structures existed within the human world and was slightly ashamed you knew so little about your very own brethren.

“Welcome to Minas Tirith my lady.” A breathy whisper in your ear he watched below as you took in the city.

“This is… incredible Aragon.” Your eyes traveled everywhere in awe as he rode up the main street on his horse. You were pleasantly surprised at all the greetings even you were getting from all the citizens that resided within the city.

He led you straight to the castle at the center of the city knowing you were probably more than overwhelmed. Sure, he had warned you but actually seeing it and doing it was entirely different thing. He bowed to his guards as he made his way to his, and soon to be your, chambers.

“You will sleep here tonight.” He said matter of factly as you explored his chambers.

You shook your head, “I cannot. This is your room. You need to rest before tomorrow! You are being crowned King. That does not happen every day Aragorn.” You protested but he simply shook his head.

“It is all right.” He led you to his bed, “I insist my lady. I have made up my mind and you will not be able to change it.” He grinned beautifully as you sat down on the bed, accepting defeat so easily.

“So stubborn you are.”  You mused at him with a delighted look on your face. It felt like a step was being taken as he insisted you stay in his quarters. Protected by the best of the best. He saw you as nothing but precious to him.

He chucked softly, “I must leave you to it. Feel free to explore. One of the guards can show you around if you would like. I must see to a few things before tomorrow. I will see you after the ceremony?” He asked watching you carefully. He wanted you to be comfortable before he left you. He knew it would be tough to go a night without each other after spending so much alone for the better part of a month.

“All right.” You nodded quickly, “I will see you tomorrow, my King.” You grinned right back at him knowing you would never tire of calling him that. It was a far cry from the Strider you had met so long ago now.

He brushed his hand along your jaw. Giving you a brief bow, he spoke once more, “My lady.” Before walking out his chambers and leaving you too it. A wave of exhaustion coupled by the softness of the mattress below you sent you into a slumber much sooner than you were expecting. Maybe you would get the grand tour another time. For now, sleep overtook you..

You watched in awe as Gandalf crowned Aragorn with amazement in his own eyes. You had truly never seen anything so grandeur in your life. All this for your Aragorn. Yet, you felt he had deserved this and so much more.

“Now come the days of the King.” Gandalf’s voice boomed throughout Minas Tirith as thousands stood to watch Aragorn be crowned. You felt your eyes well up with proud tears as the crown laid atop his head. He was so striking. So Kingly. Your breath was taken away as he turned to the crowd. He was your King.

“This day does not belong to one man… but to all.” His voice now boomed filling your chest with the utmost pride for the man you loved, “Let us together rebuild this world… that we may share in the days of peace.” He smiled as the crowd erupted in cheers for their newly crowned King. You joined in happily clapping and cheering along with the city folk.

He sang as the flower petals began to fall. You watched as his company and all those around him bowed to him as he walked amongst the crowd. Your heart sped up rapidly as he was moving along closer, and closer to you.

Elrond pulled you back behind a shield at your protest as Legolas stepped forward. Being none the wiser you shot your elder a precarious look as he told you to be quiet and wait a second and you would see what was going on. He did not lie to you. Lord Elrond never did.

The elf beside you pulled the shield away leaving you staring right into the icy blue eyes of the man you had loved so dearly. You gulped but stepped towards him. He looked just as entranced as you felt.

Feeling overwhelmed at the entirely of the situation you bowed your head to your King once you were mere inches in front of him. Never before had so many eyes been on you. Yet he had made it feel like it really was just the two of you at that moment.

He would have none of that though. He took his hand under your chin and pulled it up, so you were looking at him. He too forgot that thousands of people were watching. It felt like it was just you and him. You had that effect on him. Your doe eyes staring up at him so desperately is what did him in. He could simply wait no longer to have what he wanted… you.

When you smiled at him he did not care any longer. He went straight in for the kiss. You wrapped your arms around him as he spun you around, happier than ever before. He had let his intentions be known. You were his for forever, his forever.

You would be embarrassed later but now it was just you and him. A giggle erupted from you as you hugged him once more. He grabbed your hand and pulled you along as he went to search for the Hobbits.

You took a knee after Aragorn spoke, “My friends… you bow to no one.” A smile erupted on your face as you watched the kingdom take a knee for them. Frodo’s face told the story. Aragorn gently wiped off the tears that were streaming down your face.

“I love you, my Queen.” He whispered in your ear.

“Your Queen?” You gasped looking up to him. Surely you did not think you would take

“Are we to be wed no?” He asked curiously.

“Aye.” You nodded, “I just did not believe to have such a title.” You looked away from him as he directed everyone to stand once more.

“I am King. You are to be my Queen.” He said so matter of factly you could not believe you were questioning yourself.

“As you wish.” You smiled so gleefully not truly believing this was actually your life now.

He leaned in for one more gentle kiss to please the crowd, “My Queen.” He whispered letting you know he had every good intention in the world with you. For the first time in his already long life, he could not wait to get his life started with you.

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[freakyformula]

Wolf in sheep's clothing

Summary: Reader is a mafia boss and Lando is her rival.

Writers comment: Just posting this here, is anyone even interested in a part two?

Warnings: Swearing, explicit details about dying, guns and shit, not proofread

Word count: 1,6k

"Make him talk. If he doesn't, kill him." She tells her right-hand man, Florian.

As she walks out of the room she hears multiple crackling noises followed by screams.

You see, she was notorious for making her rivals suffer once she got her hands on them. This is a trait she'd inherited from her father, the most ruthless Don in the whole country. He had connections to every branch of business, meaning he did as he pleased… When he pleased. No one was safe from his wrath.

Her father's heart was once soft and warm. That was until a particularly cruel rival killed her mother. Her father met her when he was only 15 years old. She made him a better person. But she couldn't save him from his own nature. He was born to be violent and yet he never raised a hand on your mother. But anyone that dared to cross his path, was as good as dead.

His mind was still plagued with guilt. His carelessness killed her mother, according to him. He shouldn't have let her off alone in that car. Their only daughter was 5 at the time.

He didn't even have the heart to tell her the truth about what happened to her mother.

He missed her smile, her light, her scent.

She saw it in his face every day.

And now, he was gone.

All she knew at the moment was that someone broke into the house and kidnapped her beloved father.

She couldn't help thinking back on those fond memories of her parents. Even though her father was a Don, he still took his fatherly obligations very seriously. He would read her a book every night he was home. He would lift her up on his shoulders and pretend to be a raging stallion. She never felt unsafe growing up. Even when her mother died, her fathers embrace gave her the comfort she needed.

She walks along the hallways of her fathers home rapidly. When she walks up the stairs to the first floor of the large house, she notices a plethora of her father's lifeguards around the kitchen island. They're clearly planning something. She walks up behind them, her heels clicking on the marble floor, silencing the guards.

She'd already killed off the poor excuses of lifeguards that, in her eyes, betrayed her father by not keeping him safe.

"Miss." The man in charge addresses her. "We're planning an attack on the Norris family. We think the son, Lando, is behind the kidnapping."

Her and Lando had history. Oh well, not them per se, but rather their fathers. Back in the day, they were business partners. Lando and her had never met. For some reason, their friendship turned sour and they became sworn rivals.

Why, she didn't know and she never bothered asking.

However, now she could've used that information.

She exits the kitchen without a word and go searching for Mario, her father's friend and former bodyguard.

"Mario, I need to ask you something." She says as he kisses her forehead and smiles down at her smaller figure.

"Go ahead, little one."

"What happened between my father and the Norris family?" She asks as he leads her out through his old-fashioned room and out on his own balcony. The scenery on his balcony was fantastic, he had a view over the vineyard and could end the day with a glass of red wine and watch the sun set.

"Your father... After your mother died, he went into what I'd call manic episode. He'd kill everyone in his path in order to find the killer of your mother. Turns out... The signs were there all along, and one day, he cracked the code. He was convinced that the Don of the Norris family, Adam, killed your mother. He sent one of his men after her as she was driving down to the village on her own and rammed her car off a cliff."

She was speechless. No words came to mind.

Mario continues, "So, in revenge, your father killed Adam's whole family. Except for their youngest son, Lando. He managed to escape."

She stood there with her mouth shut, grinding her teeth. She could feel the anger bubbling in her stomach.

"Thank you for your valuable information, Mario."

She walks past her old girl room, struggling to find her old black cargo pants and bulletproof vest. After some diggling she finds what she needs and quickly switches into the more fitting attire.

She bumps into Florian and demands an update on her way back to the kitchen.

"We'll get rid of the body later." Florian simply comments on the man she'd met earlier.

"So he didn't talk.?" She asks of him.

"Not a word." Florian sighs.

The bodyguards are already getting ready when the duo comes into the kitchen. The room is buzzling and guns are thrown and loaded all over. The men look ready for battle with their straight faces.

"George, Max, you're staying here with Miss Y/N just in case." The man in charge orders.

"With all due respect, I'm coming with you." She exclaims, slamming her fist into the counter, making the whole room freeze. The men look at each other.

"I'll keep her safe." Florian fills in.

"All right. You're on your own." The man concludes and turns around, loading bullets into clips.

The team goes through the plan; sneak into the premises without making a sound, bug out the alarm system, take out the guards and find a way into the house. Should be pretty easy, concidering the amount of men stood in the kitchen.

As the day turns into dusk and the men load the cars with all of the guns and equipment needed for the invation, she waits in the car with Florian behind the steering wheel.

The way there was dark and melancoly, not sunny and happy like the road to her childhood home.

When they get close to their destination, they park the cars and sneak closer to the house. One of the men bug out the alarms, as intended, while five others kill off the guards pacing around the house with precision.

She walks behind the leader of the group, and as they get to the door of the house, it barges open.

Clearly, not all alarms were bugged out, because the guards completely overwhelm the group and they struggle to take the advantage again. The bullets whining were loud, and she saw her father's men pierced with bullets next to her. She was used to fighting but this was new. As the men struggled before they took their last breath, she could only look at them before she kept shooting at the enemy. Not a dignified death, this, she thought.

One after another dies off beside her and she looks around for options. The door was still open. Without thinking, Florian grabs her hand and runs inside with her close behind.

They look at each other, out of breath, clueless.

When the sound of footsteps reach their ears, they quickly sneak behind a half-wall and crouch down. Whoever it was, passes them.

She hears some struggling outside on the yard, sounds like the leader of the group is injured. Where were the others, are they all dead?

"Who sent you?" The unknown man asks, followed by a thud and her man grunting.

"Fuck you." He swears.

And then, a single shot. The sound startles her so much the Florian grabs her mouth in order to silence her.

"Come, this way, we need to find safety." Florian says as he grabs her hand.

They navigate their way through the house in order to find a place to lie low. The place was eerily quiet, it almost felt like a ghost house. When they've sneaked their way to the other side of the house, the last obstacle was getting past the main hall.

"Go, go!" Florian whispers as he urges her in the right direction. She runs lightly to the other side of the room and hides behind a glass wall. She could see the door to freedom in front of her as she stood with her back against the glass.

Then, a sharp noice. You peek behind the glass, and see Florian in a pool of blood.

"R-run!" Is the last thing he manages to say before he draws his last breath.

The sight of her dead friend induces a rage in her, and she draws her gun and starts shooting towards the shadow stood in the doorway on the other side of the room. Before she knows it, she's all out of bullets.

"Fuck, fuck." She whispers to herself. The stairs up to the second floor are located on her side. She runs up as fast as she can and quickly accesses her surroundings before she hears a pair of footsteps behind her. Hiding wasn't ideal but concidering she was out of bullets and alone didn't really leave any options.

Quickly, she draws her hunting knife from her right boot and crouches down behind a wall.

She patiently waits for her prey, like a predatory animal.

When she sees the man behind the corner, she's baffled. He's handsome, and rugged.

He looks around and turns his back to her, listening for clues of her whereabouts.

She takes the chance and jumps on him, with her knife against his throat. He roars out and throws her over him. She lands on the floor infront of him and as she's about to get up he grabs her hair. She hears a noice which could only be the noice of a knife being drawn, and feels it against her pulse point.

"Hello, sweetheart." Lando introduces himself.

[lives-in-midgard]

🎄Beautiful Miracle🎄

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x reader

Summary: When your car breaks down in a small village you luckily find a bakery to stay in.

Word Count: 1095

A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first fic for my Christmas special hosted by the lovely @buckys-wintersoldier. I hope you like it! 💗

Dividers made by @saradika 💗

Prompt 1: Bakery AU

Masterlist | Fluffcember Masterlist

It’s the first day of December and it has just started snowing. You were driving through a small village you had never been to before when suddenly your car broke down in the middle of the road. You were just able to pull over to park your car in an empty parking lot. You tried to start the car again, but it didn’t work.

“Noo, that can’t happen now. Not now when it’s so cold outside.” You said to yourself. After another try, you decided to call a car service station. They told you that it would take an hour or more for them to get here. So, you decided to take your bag, get out of your car, and look for somewhere to stay. You took a few steps and then saw that there was a small bakery.

Maximoff’s Sweets

You smiled and opened the door to the bakery. The air was filled with the smell of cinnamon and vanilla. Everything was decorated with Christmas decoration and a Christmas carol was playing. You walked around and noticed that this place looks really cozy and beautiful. You couldn’t see the owner of this shop, but you could hear someone singing.

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly.” You heard the soft voice more clearly now and had to smile. Then a door opened and a beautiful young woman with red hair walked out of a room from the back. She had a plate with cookies in her hand and immediately smiled when she saw you.

“Hello and welcome to my bakery.” The owner smiled at you and placed the cookies in an empty spot.

“Hi, this is a really wonderful place here.” You confessed and looked around and then back at her.

“Thank you. This really means a lot to me. Especially because it’s my first Christmas here.”

“Oh, congrats on that.” You said and the woman had to chuckle. She looked so beautiful and lovely.

“What can I offer you?” She asked and you looked at it all deliciously.

“Umm, I’m not sure. This looks all so delicious, what would you recommend?” You asked her nervously.

“How about these cinnamon rolls? They are really good and a new recipe I tried.” She pointed to the cinnamon rolls, and you nodded.

“Sounds good. I’ll take this and a coffee please.” You answered and Ms. Maximoff turned around to make you a coffee. She put the dessert and coffee on a plate and then walked with you to a table. You sat down and she placed everything in front of you.

“Do you mind if I join you?” She asked shyly.

“Of course not.”

“Okay, great, because my new cookies just came out of the oven and need time to cool. I’ll be with you in a moment.” She went back, made herself a cup of coffee and then came back to you. She sat down across from you.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I‘m Wanda Maximoff.”

“Hi Wanda, I‘m Y/N.“

“So, what brought you to my bakery?” Wanda asked and you told her the story of your car and how you luckily found her warm and cozy bakery. Wanda listened intently as the two of you drank your coffee and ate your dessert.

“Wow, that tasted so good.” You complimented her after eating the cinnamon roll.

“Thank you, love.” You blushed and looked out the window for a second and saw that it started to snow more.

“What do you like to do when you’re not at this wonderful bakery?” You asked Wanda as you looked back at her.

“Well, I love spending time with my brother and some friends, I love finding new recipes for all kind of stuff, and oh I really enjoy watching sitcoms.”

“Sounds really cool. What’s your favorite sitcom?”

“The Dick Van Dyke Show. I loved it when I was a kid and I still do.” Wanda told you.

“And what do you like to do when your car doesn’t break down in front of a bakery?” Wanda asked and you had to chuckle at her question. You told her about your hobbies and talked for a while until you got a message on your phone.

“Sorry.” You apologized and looked at your phone.

“Oh, no.” You mumbled when you saw the message from the car service station.

“What’s wrong?” Wanda asked.

“It’s the car service station. It will take them a few hours to get here because of the snow.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but hey, you’re lucky you ended up here.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” You smiled at her. A few minutes passed before Wanda said something again.

“Hey, I have an idea.”

“I’m all ears.”

“If you're interested, maybe you could help me with some cookies.”

“Yeah, sounds great.” You said and Wanda smiled happily. She showed you the kitchen where she makes all her desserts. Wanda then gave you an apron and you tied your hair into a ponytail. Then she showed you the recipe and started to put everything you needed on the table. You had fun helping Wanda bake the cookies and when you were done you put them in the oven and Wanda gave you a cup of hot chocolate. You stood next to her and talked for a few minutes until Wanda got the idea to decorate the cookies she had baked before you arrived. When you were almost finished, you received a message that the car service station will be here soon.

Wanda decided to give you some cookies and when you wanted to pay, she said that wasn’t necessary. You insisted that you wanted to pay, but Wanda was a little more stubborn than you, so she won. You put your jacket on and were a little sad to leave now, but you know where this bakery is so you could come back anytime.

“Goodbye, Wanda.” You said before opening the door.

“Wait.” Wanda shouted and ran towards you. You turned around and looked at her confused.

“I really enjoyed this afternoon with you and thought you might like to meet me again.” Wanda asked.

“I also really enjoyed it. I can give you my phone number, so you can text me.” Wanda nodded with a smile, and you gave her your phone number.

“See you soon, Wanda.” You said before walking out.

“See you soon. “You walked out with a smile, happy that your car broke down here and not somewhere else. Otherwise, you probably would never have met Wanda.

Taglist:

@marvelogic | @eviebuggg | @yelenasdiary | @youralphawolf72 | @severelyuniquereview | @mrs-bucky-barnes-73

[waitmyturtles]

The wonderful @clairedaring noted in the comments of my post yesterday about yesterday's Spare Me Your Mercy (episode 2) that the original source material for the show consisted of two Thai Y books that have been condensed into eight episodes within a script.

That very much explains the pacing issues I saw in yesterday's episode, as I noted in my previous post, and further explains what, in part, I felt happened in today's episode 3. This episode was better than yesterday's, but was ::waves index fingers in circles:: A LOT.

Kan and Wasan/Thiu/Tew (I missed his chue len yesterday, thanks iQ) clearly have a history; they clearly were okay with sharing a tent and flirting, and after a night ::AIR QUOTES:: sleeping next to a lush stream, they're boyfs. Ding-dong, okay! Get 'er done.

So there's that; then, rewinding, there's Wasan/Thiu/Tew still not picking up on what he dropped by way of switching seats in the car and allowing nurse Orn to have the meds on her lap while they were driving to the mountain village. Plus, that wild interrogation scene with baby-orphan-turned-playboy-cum-pharmacist (SORRY NOT SORRY) Boss, who, what, whoa, wow, that's a hell of a storyline with the director that came fast (SORRY NOT SORRY). I love how that police officer KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF THE BATHROOM to try to retrieve his witness/suspect ("Oh, hey! You in there?!"). The show's doing a REAL good job making the police look like bumbling dillholes (ACAB).

Making nurse Orn look CRAZY sus, then sympathetic as she's tending to her fellow villagers, then turning her into the curious and supportive auntie of the boyfriends. Damn!

And this whole night scene where the director's calling both Kan and Wasan/Thiu/Tew to come thru. And the preview indicates more wild stuff brewing, from the director getting kidnapped to Kan and Wasan/Thiu/Tew continuing to flirt while Kan has a literal oozing head wound.

Like I said yesterday, Manner of Death and Triage (SMYM's trilogy-mates) did also start out crazytown. But we had a grip on the material from the start -- we had theories and suspicions in MoD that were toyed and played around with fully, and in Triage, the loops almost immediately began gaining more context without us wondering too much about what was going on. The material of these two previous shows didn't feel as out of order or thrown together as it has felt this week with SMYM's episodes two and three.

The story of SMYM itself has actually gotten interesting. I love what Sammon's stories do with directors and accomplices; Dr. Sak and Dr. Doi from Triage were oozingly and appealingly evil from beginning to end, totally committed to their snakelike work. In SMYM, we now have our noses trained on nurse Orn and the suspicious forensic pathologist, along with the director, Boss, and Kan himself.

But it does still feel like the show and the series are rushing. We're now in a relationship (.... I think, at least nurse Orn used the word "serious," so.). Yesterday, we got an indication of history, and then we get a relationship after a seatbelt trope and a night of camping.

Maybe this show is figuring out what exactly to build on, and it's like the script doesn't exactly know how to prioritize its time. SMYM still has my attention -- it's clearly going to be a gripping story next week -- but I think what's happening that's confusing me by pace is that the show itself is playing a tug-of-war on its commitment to one or another bit. MoD and Triage were great STORIES that wove romance well into their scripts by way of earned paths of building context. We've skipped a lot of those steps this week with SMYM.

[operationslipperypuppet]

Hello! Shaking my little tin can for beverlin dad lore please, you have very very good takes.

oh wow thanks! this might be a little more about the kid than about beverlin so sorry in advance if so

also shoutout to han, we had this conversation last night so some of these ideas were theirs or are inspired by theirs

beverly is terrified, when the idea takes hold, when he first sees a tiny little halfling baby that he is completely responsible for. but then he holds the kid. and the fear becomes less prominent.

it’s martha, and no one else, who reminds bev at one of his lowest and most terrified moments that he saved the world at 16 and this is slightly (only slightly) less scary than that. it helps. it wouldn’t have, if it came from anyone else.

moonshine is the one most aware of erlin’s struggles with confidence surrounding fatherhood. because she’s always in tune with others’ emotions and because he keeps stepping outside at night, where she happens to already be. when she addresses it, she turns him to cobb, because cobb had been a pretty damn good “father” to her and gives great advice. erlin is lighter after those conversations.

seeing hardwon holding a tiny halfling child melts many hearts. he swears up and down to protect that child from any harm that may come their way, but also knows he’ll have to get in line if it happens.

a few months into their life, baby toegold-kindleaf makes the trip to shadowfell to meet their other grandparents. redd says “that sure is a baby” in the proudest, most choked up voice possible. erlin hugs him for three minutes in response. bev sr won’t stop crying. lydia is also enamored by the child.

bev and erlin know that if they get overwhelmed, there are several people willing to swoop in and help them out. it takes a village and they have a damn good village.

this baby’s best friend growing up is big bev. a whole freaking dragon. they share the three most powerful and terrifying grandmothers in all of bahumia. their mischief worries and entertains their parents to no end. the toegold-kindleaf is the only official dragon rider for big bev.

bev retires from the green knights when he becomes a dad. it’s so early, but he wants to be there for his kid. his dad was good but he had so much doubt about his dads love at his lowest moments. he’d do anything to make sure his kid never had those thoughts.

bev teaches the kid silly little pranks. they drive erlin up the wall but he’s always so happy to see them happy. hardwon is a little less enamored with the pranks. vows vengeance (on beverly). and absolutely gets him back through his child.

the kid is a divine soul sorcerer. all the gods who love beverly and erlin knew they didn’t want to fight over who their pact would be to, so they combined powers and gifted them some innate magic. this is another terrifying thing, as parents. innate magic in your toddler. jolene is a great source of advice on this.

big bev also teaches the kid how to swim. this was not a well thought out plan, black dragons are amphibious. after some scares, it works out eventually. beverly is not allowed within 100 yards of swimming lessons.

hardwon teaches the kid how to braid hair, with moonshine and cobb’s help. turns out flowers are similar to mushrooms when it comes to braiding. but a bit easier.

when the kid decides they want to learn how to fight, they have a lot of offers for who will teach them, including jolene’s pragmatic suggestion that they just learn from some crick rangers without bias. the kid asks auntie moonie to teach them. hardwon is livid. bev is hurt. erlin laughs for ten minutes.

at the end of the day, this child is loved by everyone around them. but especially their dads. who wrap their child with so much love and support that they never for a second doubt any of that love.

ooooops this got so long. oh well here you go. thanks for the ask!!!

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Ok I hate to wade into utter illogical, batshit weirdness but I'm going to cos for the life of me I can't figure this shit out, WHY do twitter freaks hate Mack???

Haha. Well, it's predominantly the Vanity fans that hate him, which should tell you pretty much everything you need to know.

Basically, Mack is their Rebecca.

I assume you just haven't watched the show at all since Robert left so...

Vanessa had cancer and she also went away to help her off screen mother because she'd been sick or hurt or something I can't remember. In the middle of all of this Charity was trying to adopt Johnny. Basically, this was covid and Michelle was pregnant and couldn't be filming at the time and then her maternity leave started so they really just didn't have her anymore other than a couple of video calls. So it was a mess and they weren't communicating. Charity officially adopts Johnny and Vanessa was supposed to finally come home but she didn't because she had a meeting with her cancer consultant person the next day to find out if her cancer was gone and she didn't want to get Charity's hopes up or didn't trust her or whatever. So Charity just thought "oh no she doesn't want me anymore because she could have come home and she didn't and lied about it". And so Charity was spiraling and was out driving and ran into Mack who had Cain in the boot of his car for...reasons. And one of them had car trouble. I don't remember. So they were stopped and they chatted and flirted and then covid kissed (which means they got sort of close and then cut away and came back and it was like oh haha we kissed...it was painful). And then Charity didn't tell Vanessa but Tracy was for some reason wandering around this same stretch of road and took a picture of the kiss and sent it to Vanessa so they broke up.

So then Mack shows up in the village and it's like hey he's Moira's retconned brother. And there were some random comments from him that they took as biphobic but I don't feel like they were anywhere near the things that Rebecca said because well..she knew about Aaron the whole time and Mack didn't even know who Charity was or that she was married to a woman so whatever. But they decided he was a biphobic monster.

Also they think he pressured her into sleeping with him again because he kept hanging around and wearing her down and that just like...not what happened. They were both perfectly consenting.

So now they think he's a biphobic, misogynistic abusive monster. They also think he's a narcissist.

There's some who have been waiting for Charity and the show to magically draw parallels between Mack and Bails because they think they're basically the same person.

I really just think they hate her being with another man.

But also he is their Rebecca. And he got in the way of their ship and they feel like they have to justify their hatred.

Especially because when Vanessa came back the first time before Michelle had to leave for her second maternity leave, they gave Vanity and almost moment and then had Vanessa back off and encourage Charity to go after Mack and then Charity called Mack "the one".

So like...I get it from a "he's in the way of my ship and I don't like him" standpoint, but they just go way beyond that and think he's this horrific abusive narcissistic monster and he's just...not.

Like yeah...he did not come of great during their version of the hell plot and it made me thankful every day for how they handled ours. But he's still not even half the things they call him.

I do think it's funny that half of them are like "oh yeah he can be with Aaron...that's fine". Haha. Despite everything they think of him. Sort of like how for that brief period a bunch of us were sort of on board with a Rebecca/Debbie pairing. I even did fan art. Haha. There's always a gay(bi) Dingle cousin to pass off the undesirables to.

[sodorcatsau]

Henry in the Dark (Sodor Cats ver.)

⚠️Obscene language⚠��

It was a very busy day for the Sodor cats, especially for Henry, who was driving a chicken cart from the McColl's farm back to the Whispering Woods. Sometimes Sodor cats cooperate with humans to obtain food, drink, and sometimes even wool for warmth, provided that humans keep the secret about the existence of intelligent talking cats. One day, while Henry was about to leave the village, green paint fell from a passing truck directly onto the green cat and onto his cart, fortunately the paint did not touch the chicken.

– Oh, rats ... – Said the big cat out of concern for his health.

Without hesitation, he decided to continue on his way. Meanwhile, by the river, Percy and Thomas were playing as usual, they were testing their strength by attacking each other. James was watching them at the request of Lydia, Thomas' mother and the pack leader. The red young cat was ready to fall asleep out of boredom until he heard Henry's voice approaching.

– I'm back! How's my… – He didn't have time to finish, as James started laughing loudly at his appearance. Henry stands there and doesn't understand what's going on.

— Well, are you addicted to human bullshit again? — James teases.

— What's so funny?

— Dad, your whole head is green! — Percy interjected, trying not to laugh.

— What? — Asked Henry. He looked into the river and saw that his black and gray head was indeed green. He started laughing. – Really. Now I'm a completely green cat. Thomas, Percy, and James started laughing with him.

— Okay, guys, I'm going to take the chicken, and then I'm going to wash up. — Henry said before he left.

— Okay, just don't kill everyone with your head! — James joked after him.

— Alright!

When Henry returned to the pack, all the cats laughed at his appearance. He unloaded the chicken and went into the river to wash, but the paint on his head was not completely washed off.

— Oh, rats… I used almost all the yolks and couldn't get all the paint off my head... It looks like I'll have to repaint…

After a while, when Henry had repainted his fur in head, Lydia came up to him to tell him that he was patrolling tonight. Although reluctantly, he agreed. He was afraid to leave Percy alone all night, but Lydia reassured him that Edward would be watching him. Evening came, and Henry set off into the distance, away from the pack. Everything was fine until it got dark. Henry's green fur began to glow, which scared him a lot.

— How is this possible!? — The green cat said in a frightened voice. — Did I wash so badly!? I need to leave immediately, otherwise the predators will attack the pack because of me.

Henry going back to the pack. Along the way, he met James, who was returning to the pack after work.

— James! — The green cat shouted, approaching him.

When James turned his head towards Henry, because Henry was glowing, he mistook him for a ghost. The red cat screamed loudly and ran away. Henry stood in disbelief.

After a while, James came running to the pack in a panic, he even bumped into Lydia as he was running.

— Whoa, James, what happened? — The white cat asked in surprise, trying to calm James down.

— L-Lydia! I-I saw g-g-ghost! — The red cat is stuttering in fear.

— A ghost?

— Yes! It was burning with a green flame!

— The green flame?

— And the voice is so creepy… It was calling me... maybe to the afterlife.…

— James, let's you go to your den and go to sleep, and I'll go and find out what kind of green ghost it is. — The leader calmed the red cat down, took a branch and set it on fire with two stones.

— Be careful, Lydia!

— Don't worry, Ruby, I have experience in this. — She replied with a smile and left with a torch in her paw.

Meanwhile, Henry was still in a hurry to get home before the predators saw him.

— Do I really look like a ghost with that fur? — Henry asked himself.

Henry saw the light from the torch, and he exhales with relief, because the light from the fire, although partially, scares predators. He ran to the source of the light. — Edward? Is that you? — He shouted, coming closer.

Lydia was a little surprised by the green light approaching her, but she recognized Henry's voice. She decided to stop to find out who it was.

— Henry? Are you the green ghost? — Lydia giggled.

— James mistook me for a ghost after all.

— As you can see, yes. So, what happened to you? Why are you glowing?

— I don't know. It's probably the green paint that doused me from head to toe.

— I see. So we'll go back to the pack and repaint you so you don't scare anyone again.

They both started laughing.

— Thank you, Lydia.

Meanwhile. James can't sleep, the fear of that green ghost has not left him.

— James, there's no one here, go back to sleep! — Gordon was indignant.

— I can't sleep! What if this ghost comes here?!

— Seriously, James, you're acting like a kitten! I'm telling you again: Ghosts is not real!

But before Gordon has time to look around, the very green light that James was talking about is heading into the pack. All the cats screamed in fear, they hid in their dens. But suddenly they heard a familiar voice. It was Henry.

— Hello everyone!

Percy came out first.

— Dad? It's you? Were you that ghost? — Carefully the kitten asked his father.

— What the hell? — James protested.

— I'm sorry — Henry apologized.

— Henry was doused with glowing paint, so Victor will repaint him tomorrow morning.… Again. — Lydia giggled.

Lydia and Henry are laughing. The next morning, Henry was repainted. He didn't scare anyone again.

[nerdieforpedro]

Triple Frontier with Mom

The movie frustrated her at first. She was talking to me and the screen A LOT. We had to pause and re-wind quite a bit. Mom was surprised that it came out in 2019, for some reason she didn't think it was recent. She hopes that they make a second one and get all the money they lost. Mom...was not a big fan a Benny 🥸 found him to be too loud and called him a douche. He grew on her a bit by the end. "He's less douche, just more airhead." She wants to watch more of Oscar's movies and work and may be convinced to watch more Pedro later. Mom is always up for more Charlie Hunnam.

Her unfiltered thoughts are below:

Mom's unfiltered thoughts during the movie:

Those look like the same steps from 'Man on Fire' (When Pope is first in Columbia.)

Oh! I've seen him in different things (pointed out who Oscar Issac is). He's cute, we should watch him more too.

(During the shootout with the cartel) Damn, did the only bring three bullets? Why aren't they shooting back?

Look at all that money! (This will be said several times.)

(When Santiago was chasing his informant) Damn, he's got an ass. I thought he just had a strong chin and curls. He's out of breath though - that's rough.

There's my man! (Charlie/Will has appeared on the screen) Look at those eyes. He might be able to sell them some snake oil.

(When Pope offered Tom the job initially) $17,000?! I'll take the job, I'll tell them what to do, for a week?!

Why do you need him? He can't even sell a condo (refers to Tom).

(When Benny comes into the locker room) Who's this douche?! (I explain he's Will's brother.) No, he can't be, Will is so cool. He is? Still a douche.

There's Pedro girl! Oh good, he isn't shaved. But coke? Well it's in review. Should be fine.

(Laughed way too hard when Benny got punched and reminded her that she's seen him before. From the movie 'Four Brothers') Oh! He died in that one - that doesn't repeat does it? He seems the mostly likely because he's the loudest.

This goes kinda south right? (When asking when they get to Columbia. I told her yes, but nothing else.)

Why didn't they use a wire to slit their throats? All the choking is too much effort and wasting time.

(When Tom doesn't want to leave and everyone keeps getting more money) They greedy! They need to go!

(Will is shot) He doesn't die does he? Not behind this foolishness? He can't! (Explains that he doesn't so she calms down) Whew, I was gonna fight you and ask you why you'd been bugging me about this movie if he died.

Why don't they have any flack jackets (bullet proof cummerbunds pretty much)? Why didn't Pope get them some of those? I thought he planned well.

(When they guys are arguing with Tom about leaving due to the hard out) Damn greedy ass man.

(When Lorea's men come back and they exchange fire) Should have built in a 30 minute cushion messing with that drunkard. Can't even sell a condo. He should have been shot.

(When they finally get out of the house and meet up with Pope's informant and her brother.) That man, asking her those questions. Toss him under the chopper. That kinda money you can change your face and everything. No one's gonna know. Tom is a sow.

Why are they not listening to the pilot about the weight? How greedy can you be? Is he trying to die?

(When the chopper is smoking over the Andes) I thought you said they didn't die?!

(After the crash and shooting the villagers) Should have given that old man the whole bag. Greedy ass. And why is he wearing bright orange?

(After Tom gets shot) Ya'll too sentimental. Leave his ass to be crow food - ya'll gotta move. Why are you crying? (At Benny) I was kinda liking him but now he's crying and fighting. Leave him too.

(When they pack up Tom's body) These guys are supposed to be the best of the best, why are they so soft? Drop his body. He could be worth two or three bags. That body has to be stinking.

(When Benny gets to the boat and comes back) Eh, I was wrong about him. He does need to calm down though.

(They're driving and fighting through the remnants of Lorea's crew) I don't care if they are teens, you point a gun at me and I'm shooting. Again, why are you not listening to the pilot? He's made several points.

How are you gonna be a solider with such a big heart? His ass is already big, his heart can't be too. And they still carrying that damn stinky body!

(When signing the money over to Tom's family) They are all so stupid. Do they even have money to get home? Ain't no way, that they did all that and didn't get anything thing.

You can count on Will (when Will gave Pope the coordinates). Between him and Fish, they're the two smartest people here.

Tags: @maggiemayhemnj @rhoorl @magpiepillsjunior @laurfilijames @musings-of-a-rose @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @legendary-pink-dot @for-a-longlongtime

[aloysiavirgata]

Have you ever written a historical AU? Would love to see what you would do with that!

“Le professeur n'est pas à la maison!” she calls to whomever is banging at the door.

“S’il te plait je suis perdu,” a man’s voice replies in an accent she can’t place. Not French, certainly.

Dana rises, annoyed, from a table stacked high with books. She’d been lost in Bayes’ recent essay on probability, which her father had bought her.

She makes her way to the door, assumes Marie-Amélie is behind the house with Victor’s hand up her dress again.

Through the window she sees the man claiming to be lost. He’s about her own age, tall, wearing a suit of clothes in the English style. His hair is dark brown, tied at the nape of his neck with a green ribbon.

He looks unhappy and his boots are quite muddy.

Dana grabs the fire poker she keeps next to the door for this purpose. She keeps it tucked in the folds of her dress.

“Good day,” she says in English.

The man startles. “You speak English?”

She grips the poker tighter. “Pray, how can I help you? The professor is not home right now.”

He frowns. “Professor? I’m sorry, I’m not here for any professor. It’s only that I came out to see the country and I’ve…well. I’ve lost my way.”

Dana decides that if she needs to run him through she’d rather it be on her home turf. His clothes, while plain by French standards, are of fine stuff and newly made. His boots are well soled, his breeches have silver buckles.

“Come in,” she says, and lets him pass her. She returns the poker to the wall, then closes the door.

“You’re not English,” he observes, peering around.

“God forbid,” she says, crossing her arms. “Irish.”

He grins at that. “Well, we’ve something in common then. I’m a Massachusetts man. Oh, forgive me. Name’s Fox Mulder.” He pulls a much-abused envelope from his pocket. “Letter of introduction, if you care to peruse.”

She takes the letter but doesn’t open it.

Victor emerges from the kitchen. He has the audacity to look scandalized that she is alone with a strange man even though there is hay dust on his breeches.

“Mademoiselle Dana!” he says.

She shoos Victor back to the kitchen for refreshments. “We’re very informal here, Monsieur Mulder.”

“Just Mulder,” he says.

“Mmm. Where did you say you were staying?”

“I didn’t, but in Florac.”

Dana frowns. “Monsieur, you traveled all the way from Massachusetts to stay in…Florac? And pray, sit.” She gestures at a sofa, sits in the chair opposite.

Mulder, looking grateful, complies.

Marie-Amélie arrives with a tray of cake and wine, curtsies, and scampers back to the kitchen.

Dana scowls after her.

“I’m in Florac only as a base of operations, you could say. I’m here to do some…investigating.” He sips his wine.

She is intrigued despite herself. Bayes can wait a bit longer. “Investigating?”

He tips his chin up a bit, as though preparing for a reaction from her. “The Beast of Gévaudan,” he says.

She stares, then lets out a bark of laughter. “La Bête?” she says. “It’s a wolf!”

“They say it has a breast as wide as a horse, a body as long as a leopard's, and fur that was red with a black stripe. What wolf is that, Mademoiselle?”

She rolls her eyes. “When I was a lass I thought the barn owls were the bean-sídhe keening.”

Mulder delicately pokes at a walnut on his slice of cake. “Wolf or no, people are dying.”

“Aye, now that’s a thing people are good at around here.” She sets her wineglass down. “When you’re finished I’ll have Philippe drive you back to the village.”

“That’s very kind,” he says. He sets his plate down. “I’m ready now.”

“I need to return to my studies,” she tells him, waving over the maid. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Dana leaves her guest with Marie-Amélie. She hears the door open and close, and soon the strange man from Massachusetts is forgotten amid the doctrine of chance.

[xfriki26]

I FINALY WROTE IT!!!

The first chapter of The Hauntiest of Towns Au is here! You can also go check it out on AO3 if you want!

Tagging @crossover-enthusiast because without them this would not mahe been posible :)

Chapter 1: The first night

Maurice had been on the road for half a year and hadn’t found anything.

He could almost hear his agent’s voice saying “I told you so” over and over in his head. His friends had already told him it was just a stupid midlife crisis, but Mar had ignored all common sense and decided to go on a one-off tour with hardly any preparations.

And here he was now in… God knows where in Arizona.

Well, he could still turn around and go home.

This had all been just one idiotic mistake after all.

With one last sigh, Maurice started the van and got back on the road.

Except… He couldn’t find the way he had come.

Damn, he couldn’t have gotten lost. Maurice started driving around the road, trying to find his way back, but it was impossible, it seemed like the road had disappeared. Mar was seriously thinking about turning off the road and driving through the woods when-

Beep- Beep-

Oh, no. Oh no no no. The gas had run out and the van was slowing down. Fuck, just when he thought he couldn’t go any lower. Okay, getting nervous won’t help at all, he just had to go out and get help.

Maurice kicked open the door and jumped out. The night air was cold and there were no stars in the sky. With no other choice, Maurice headed down the dark road.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Mar thought she saw something between the trees. As she got closer she could see that it was some kind of wooden sign, rotted by time and covered in weeds, the only thing that could be read on the sign was “Town.”

Town? Was there a town nearby? Maybe Maurice could go over and-

“Are you lost, young man?”

Maurice turned around in fright when he heard the unfamiliar voice. In front of him was a small old woman dressed in a thick fur coat, a scar crossed her left eye, and she looked worriedly at Maurice with her good one.

“Oh, I…” Maurice said. “I could really use some help, I’m out of gas and… I don’t know exactly where I am.”

The old woman smiled gently. “Poor thing, I can take you to my house if you want, so you can rest and I can help you. Sounds good, dear?”

Maurice let out a sigh of relief. “That would be great, thank you very much ma’am…”

“Michelle,” the woman said. “And don’t worry, dear.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

- - -

“This is new.”

A tacky van on the outskirts of town was the last thing Ivan expected to find, but if he ended up finding something useful in there, he wasn’t going to complain.

The door was open and the interior stinked of humanity, whoever had been in there had left their hygiene very much to one side.

Ivan got out of the van and put his hand on the hood. It was still warm.

Someone had arrived in town not long ago.

The event itself was not such a strange event. Some people came to town from time to time, but most of the time Ivan only got to see their remains.

This one didn't seem to have arrived more than a few hours ago.

They could still be alive.

Ivan thought about where they could have gone. The van seemed intact, so they shouldn't have encountered any creatures by now, and if they had gotten out of the van the only way it had led to…

The entrance to the village.

Ivan usually avoided that place, there was almost always something standing guard, waiting for new visitors. However, this time Ivan ran to the place, he couldn't let whatever was there find the new visitor.

Arriving at the entrance to the village, Ivan didn't find anyone. Had he arrived too late? No, there would be remains of the attack, like with all the others, they might have escaped through the forest or-

Ivan's thoughts were interrupted by a loud sneeze. What? Ivan rubbed his now irritated nose. What could have made his allergy react like that-

Cats.

Oh, that was both good and bad news. Bad because they had already found the new human before him. Good because he knew exactly who had taken him and he could still save them.

After all, cats liked to play with their prey.

- - -

Michelle’s house was quite cozy. It was small and there were cats curled up everywhere, the atmosphere was just what Maurice needed to relax.

“Sorry about the mess, I wasn’t expecting any company.” Michelle said as she walked into what Maurice assumed was the kitchen. “I’m going to make some tea, relax and make yourself comfortable, sweetie.”

“Thank you miss-” But Michelle had already left for the kitchen before Maurice could finish speaking.

Maurice didn't think much of it and sat down on the couch. Some of the cats curled up around him and started purring. This wasn't bad at all, if Maurice wanted to, he would surely fall asleep…

*Bang! Bang!*

The sudden knock on the door startled both Maurice and the cats, some of whom started hissing at the door.

After a few more sharp knocks, the door swung open and the weirdest guy Maurice had ever seen entered the house.

He was extremely thin and wore a raggy coat full of pockets. He had a messy, twig-filled afro. His eyes were covered by thick glasses, but Maurice could swear they sparkled when he looked at him.

“You’re alive…” The guy muttered, quickly grabbing Maurice by the wrist. “We have to go before she comes back.”

“Wait, who are you talking about? Go where?”

“Maurice? Is everything okay?”

The instant Michelle entered the room, the other guy ran up in front of Maurice and-

Pointed a gun at Michelle.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

“Believe me, you can’t trust that thing, it’s a monster in every sense.”

“Oh, lord” Michelle said scared “Please put down the gun, I don’t-”

“Save your words Michelle, we’ve met before” the man said.

Maurice stood in front of the guy to look him in the eyes “What the fuck is wrong with you!? What’s your problem with her!?”

The other man opened his mouth to speak but no words came out, instead his expression changed to one of absolute terror. Maurice also froze as he heard cracking and snapping noises behind him. He turned slowly, unprepared for what he saw.

Where Michelle was now was a huge feline creature at the back of the room, it looked as if a cat had been stretched in the most grotesque way possible and its left eye…

was covered by a scar.

“Run”

Maurice obeyed without a word.

Michelle lunged at the two of them with a scream, and the two humans managed to duck at the last second, causing Michelle to crash into the wall. They both ran into the kitchen as the rest of the cats chased them and Michelle gathered herself to charge again. Maurice blocked the kitchen door with his body and the felines on the other side began to push the door to get in, the other human was searching for something in his coat pockets while muttering something like “damn allergies.”

“I could use some help around here, you know?” Maurice said, struggling to keep the door closed.

“Yeah, yeah, just hold on for a few more seconds.” The guy said without even looking at him.

“What do you think I’m- AAGH!” A sharp claw had managed to cut through the wood and into Maurice’s back, leaving a nasty cut.

“I got it!” the other man shouted, holding a small sack. “Get out of the way!”

Still writhing in pain, Maurice jumped away from the door and Michelle entered instantly, giving the man in the coat a hungry look, who wasted no time in throwing the bag straight at the monster.

The bag exploded into a green cloud when it hit Michelle's head. The monstrous feline began to stagger, dizzy, and after a few seconds, she fell exhausted to the ground along with the rest of her cats.

“Fuck,” Maurice said, approaching the unconscious monster. “What was that?”

“Catnip, among other things,” the other man replied, breathing heavily. “Are you okay, man?”

“Maurice, I could be better, and you are?”

“Ivan Universe, welcome to town,” he said with a small smile.

“Thanks, I guess. Whats…” Maurice asked, pointing at the sleeping creature.

“A skinwalker,” Ivan replied as he walked to the exit. “Let’s go before she wakes up.”

Maurice followed him to the exit and they both walked in silence for a few minutes.

“Hey,” Maurice broke the silence. “Where are we going?”

“To my house, it’s a safe place.” Ivan said.

“Okay… You know how-”

“You can’t get out of here.”

“What?”

“You can’t get out of here.” Ivan repeated. “It’s impossible, all roads lead back to this damn town.”

“But… How…” Maurice tried to ask, confused.

“Hey.” Ivan put his hand on his shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll explain whatever you want when we get to my house, but for now, it’s enough for you to know that you’re just as damned as everyone else here.”

[ryin-silverfish]

Good day!

Forgive me for asking, I know there is a glut of citations in Wikipedia which may point to the answer, but I also know it is often incorrect (pretty sure Guangchengzi got mixed up with Qingxu Daode Tianzun on his Wikipedia page)

But is there indeed a Longshen, blanket god of all dragons and wells and springs, ruling over all lakes, rivers and seas and parent to the Sihai longwang? Or is he indeed just a collective personification of the concept of Loongs and the Yang to the Phoenix Yin?

I notice that in most novels he isn’t really considered his own character as much as the Sihai Longwang or referenced in the mandarin or Cantonese fanfics on ao3 I try to parse with translation tools. Which would theoretically point to him being the grandparent of Ao Moang, Ao Lie, Ao Longnü, Ao Bing etc.

Hmmm...nah, I don't think there is one.

Prior to "dragon kings" becoming a concept, dragons are indeed divine beasts that can "commune with heaven" and carry immortals/sage kings up to heaven, but in ancient China, their definition was actually pretty vague: anything that looked like a long noodle but didn't correspond to real animals or other divine beast iconographies could be called a "dragon".

Also, despite their divine beast status, they weren't on the same level of gods in the sense that they enjoyed independent sacrifices. More of an intermediary between mortal humans and divinity.

Their exclusive association with royalty was a process that started in the Sui, picked up speed in the Yuan, and reached its height in the Ming & Qing.

But even so, they were more of a symbol of power and status instead of a higher divine power——the power comes from the emperor's ability to monopolize and control dragons.

To use an analogy, a Ferrari is a status symbol, but the Ferrari doesn't have the money nor social power to purchase and drive itself around.

That said...a late Qing dynasty novel called Legend of the Eight Immortals Attaining the Dao (八仙得道传) did have its own take on the ancestry of dragon-kind.

Basically, there's a guy called Pinghe who swallowed a dragon pearl and turned into a dragon, and a rope-turned-dragon that got subdued by an immortal and had his soul reborn into a local woman's body as a daughter named Hu Feilong.

Because of her pregnancy without marriage, the girl's mom faced a lot of slander from her fellow villagers, and committed suicide after revealing the truth of her birth to her.

At which point she tried to kill the family that started the rumor, but failed, and was saved and taken as an immortal's disciple (who returned her to her true dragon form).

She went back to take revenge on said family again, but accidentally wrecked their entire mansion and neighborhood by transforming into her dragon form, and escaped into the east sea out of shame.

There, she met Pinghe, they fought, and caught JE's attention by wrecking one of his palaces during their scuffle. Erlang was sent to arrest the two dragons, but their immortal masters arrived in the nick of time to save them.

Oh, the Old Man of the Moon also told them they should marry each other bc it's Fated to Be.

After their marriage, Pinghe would be appointed as the Dragon King (singular) of the Four Seas and Hu Feilong his queen, and their children and grandsons would become all the greater and minor dragon kings, including Ao Guang, Ao Run, Ao Xiang and Ao Shun (the 4 dragon kings' names are almost never consistent between different books)...

Until the Eight Immortals came along and killed all the dragons except Ao Guang by dropping Mt. Tai on their palace, after the Dragon Couple's grandsons tried to rob two of them and got killed, and they went after the Eight Immortals in revenge.

...But it's like, totally okay bc the dead dragons all get reborn as wealthy humans and Ao Guang inherited his dad's throne. Gotta love the good ol' Shenmo novel crazy reconcilliation tropes.

(Source: 中国龙的发明：近现代中国形象的域外变迁)

[imzeppelin]

This excerpt is related to my Outlast fanfic, but not indirectly. The fanfiction itself is still in its infancy, so I'm not sure that this episode will be clearly included in the plot.

Warning: murder, cannibalism, and drugs

Please forgive me if there are many mistakes, English is not my native language...

✘Val and Frank. Playing chess✘

- Are you busy? - Val came to the camera, peering into the slightly clouded and dirty glass, - Mr. Archimbaud said you could play.

She raised her hand with a chessboard so that it could be seen.

- I can, - Frank's voice sounded especially dry and tired that day. As if they were going to starve him of thirst. Again.

- Will you teach me? - she moved away to grab a chair and pulled a small table up against the glass, while Manera tried to wipe it with his sleeve on the other side.

- Yes. There's nothing to do anyway, - he lifted the bed by the legs and dragged it to the glass with an unpleasant screech, - Black or white?

- Black, - Val involuntarily looked down at his bed. It was stained, with holes in the mattress, as if someone had stabbed it with a knife, and a pillow that was lying on the footrest, - It's strange that they left it for you.

- I'm not Gluskin to break the glass with a bed, - he chuckled weakly, his cracked lips curling into a smile. Frank raised a slightly grayed eyebrow, staring at Val with bright green eyes that reminded her of a lizard's.

- Have you heard? Oh, well, everyone's heard it by now, - she smiled, looking down at the board as she arranged the pieces, - I wonder what he was planning on doing. It's clear that he was planning to escape, but... I just don't understand where he would go.

Manera didn't respond, but instead rubbed his dirty and tangled beard thoughtfully, staring at the board.

- E2 to 4, - Manera looked at her again, - He? Has nowhere to go? I thought someone like Eddie would have a mommy to wait for him.

Frank gave another hoarse chuckle, but the smile quickly faded from his face.

- His mother is dead. But, yes, in some way, she's waiting for him, - Val made a move, - At this rate, Blair will just give up and convince Wernicke to turn Gluskin into mince.

- F2 to 4, - Manera laughed softly, shaking his head, and spoke out loud, as if forgetting Val's presence, - He's the last person I would eat.

- Have you eaten people? - she looked at him again, frowning slightly.

- You should have read my file before you sat down to play, - he frowned back, not in annoyance, but in a playful imitation of her expression. It was unusual to see him like this, relaxed, cheerful, and not at all aggressive.

- After Eddie's story, I prefer not to.

- Would you like to hear it?

- Yes, I would.

- G1 to F3, - Frank rubbed his beard again, scratching his hair, which looked as if it hadn't been washed in months. He cleared his throat, sitting up more comfortably on the bed, before he began to tell his story.

His life began in a trailer in the middle of drunks, hillbillies, and rednecks. A drinking mother, a drinking father, and a drinking grandfather who taught him how to shoot a gun at the age of four and almost left him deaf in one ear. At the age of 10, he learned to drive his father's pickup truck, which sat idle near the trailer and had rusted so much that it had almost completely changed its beautiful deep blue color to a rusty red. At the age of 13, he stole a motorcycle from one of the local boys. He didn't know how to brake, so he kept driving until he ran out of fuel.

His studies were going badly. To Val's surprise, Manera was passionate about literature. He learned to play chess at school, but left before completing his studies. From there, it was a familiar story: drugs, bad friends, and hookers. According to Frank, this period was the happiest of his life. It started early and lasted until he was admitted to a mental hospital. He joined a biker gang, ransacked villages like a real bandit, got into fights in bars and stole gold teeth, pulling them out with his bare hands from the mouths of people he had just beaten. Manera told about it with a laugh, clearly enjoying the “exploits” of the past.

And then he told her how he first tried human flesh. One of his guys, from the gang, was always telling “all sorts of shit” about the Indians. He was so into them that he called himself a Shaman. One day, Shaman, high on marijuana, suggested that they eat a homeless man. They were in trouble for money, stranded on the highway with nothing to eat, and their stomachs were empty. Frank was in no better condition than his partner, so he agreed. “There was a lot of screaming. He was screaming like a fucking pig, but he stopped screaming just as quickly. He smelled terrible - like piss and shit and dirt. He was covered in fucking sores and cuts. Maybe a dog had bitten him before we got there, I don't know.” He gestured wildly as he spoke. “I'm taking a knife, thinking I'll stab him. And then I'll open him up. Shaman was a grumbler, a son of a bitch who would offer to do it, but then expect you to do it. I'm just about to swing my knife when he says, 'Wait, let's do it other way.' How the fuck is that? Cut him up while he's still alive? I'm thinking, you're crazy, we're standing on a highway at night, and if anyone hears us, we'll be in trouble for 15 years. I don't want to go to prison a second time. It's a good thing I was wearing gloves. I swing again, and this time I hit him in the shoulder. Blood all over the place, even in my mouth. It's disgusting, but he's writhing, screaming, and trying to escape. So I swing again, this time at his throat. Once, twice, three times. He's not breathing. It was only then that I realized how bad he smelled. But it was too late - we took off his clothes and dragged him into the bushes. While Shaman was looking for something to cook the carcass on, I started cutting it up. The skin was disgusting, greasy, and covered in gray hair. I thought I would vomit right there, but I kept cutting. After removing a thick layer of fat, I reached the meat. I still remember how it smelled like beef when I fried it. The taste was incredibly sweet. The meat was tough, but it was tasty.” He licked his lips, causing Val to feel a slight disgust. Although she was listening with interest at the time.

- And then they found the body? - she sat with her cheek propped up on her fist, her eyes fixed on Frank.

- Yes. Shaman was arrested - the piece of shit took off his glove while he was cutting. According to the cops on TV, the rest of the body was covered in his fingerprints, - Maner shrugged, speaking with much less enthusiasm. Only then did he furrow his thick eyebrows in slight surprise and move back slightly, hunching over, - Don't you find it disgusting?

- No. I'm interested, - Val looked down at the board and made a move, then looked back into Frank's eyes, - I'd like to try human flesh myself. It's a shame that it's illegal. It's not against the law to make food out of death row inmates, for example. They're not going to live anyway, so it might as well be of some use.

Manera fell silent, but then a silly smile spread across his face and he burst into laughter. Val rolled her eyes, but she also smiled. She had been expecting this reaction. Her words were honest, without any irony, but if they made the local madman so amused, there was no reason to be offended.

- When you open someone up, you eat a piece, - he laughed again, shaking his head. The cannibal's almost rotten, yellow teeth peeked out from under his beard and pale lips. Some of them were gold. Perhaps he had gotten them from those beaten people. He pointed to the board, - H2 on 4.

- My colleagues won't understand me, - Val smiled as she moved his pieces, - If I'm too enthusiastic about eating some psycho, they'll put me in a cell too.

- Mm, yeah. Although, I know someone I could cut. No one would even notice, - Manera said, and Val immediately understood who he was referring to. She frowned, this time with genuine annoyance.

- No, - she made her move on the board, - don't even think about him. He'll kill me.

Frank didn't say anything again. He just tilted his head slightly to the side in surprise, but then, after looking down at the board, he continued playing calmly. Now, in almost complete silence, with the buzzing of the ceiling lights and the occasional footsteps of the doctors and security guards.

[readingandwritingandreading]

Some Hearts ~ Part 5

My Blurb: I have returned! I am feeling much better and to make it up to you this one is the longest chapter I have ever written. I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer:  Alas, I own nothing but my ideas. I do not give permission for my writing to be shared anywhere without my consent. 

Summary: Reacher never needed anyone, he was a lone wolf and preferred it that way. But when he finds his mate beaten and bruised one night, she and the rest of the 110th show Reacher the benefits of being in a pack. Fated Mates, Shifter AU

Pairing: Jack Reacher x OFC Morgan Stone

Warnings: There are some darker things in this fic. Morgan is a rape and abuse survivor. Nothing is explicitly detailed but be advised. Your media consumption is your responsibility. This is a fated mates, wolf shifter AU and will contain claming, biting, mating and other wolf pack related things. 

Tagging: @pioched | @ashes-writing | @titty-teetee2 | @may85 | @msripleybennet | @lemmons1998 | @tonadavis264-blog | @screechingdreamercollectorsblog

Add yourself to my taglist HERE

Read First: Some Hearts Masterlist

Also Check Out: Main Masterlist

Rock Hill Village, New York

The next few days followed the same pattern. Jack was already up and working on projects by the time I made my way down stairs. He joined me in the kitchen while I made breakfast and we talked while we ate. We cleaned up, drove into the village and usually ended the day at the pack house before returning home. It was…comfortable and safe. 

The third day I convinced him that I was feeling good enough to walk into town instead of him driving. That’s how I found myself staring at the covered windows of the building that sat between the school and road to Jack’s cabin. Dixon had come out of her cabin to discuss training some of the younger members when she saw us walking by and I gravitated towards the building. 

“It’s technically the pack library.” Lily O���Donnell’s voice sounded from my left and I jumped, hand immediately going to my chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

“Oh, it’s ok. I was a little lost in my snooping.” I smiled and waved at Jack who had turned immediately at my sudden fear. “Why do you say technically?” I turned my attention back to Lilly who sent Jack a wave also.

“David & I inherited it when we started the school but between that and the kids we don’t have time to maintain or organize it and no one else in the pack has taken it on yet.” She shrugged. “Maybe someday.” Jack approached then, his hand finding the small of my back, sending the familiar wave of warmth through me.

“Reacher” she nodded to him. “Dixon recruiting you for training today?” 

He nodded, “Bobby’s mate went into labor this morning.” 

“I didn’t think she was going to make it much longer.” Lilly grinned. “I better get going. It was good to see you, Morgan.” 

“You as well.” I waved before turning to Jack, a question that had been bothering me bubbling to the surface. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Always.” he answered without hesitation, surveying the village square as we walked.

“I don’t want to overstep. I just…” I bit my lip, memories of my curiosity getting me in trouble when I was younger flooding through me. 

“Morgan,” he stopped, turning me to face him. “You can ask me anything and I will always answer you honestly.”

“Do you have a specific job? I noticed almost everyone else does.” I blurted out before I lost my nerve. 

“This is the longest I've ever stayed on the pack lands since I left the military.” He pulled me to a bench by the statue of the Moon Goddess. "After we left the military, most of the 110th came here and started the pack but I couldn’t help but wander after a lifetime of being an army brat. I was thirty-six years old, a citizen of a country I had barely seen, and there were places to go, and there were things to do. There were cities, and there was countryside. There were mountains, and there were valleys. There were rivers. There were museums, and music, and motels, and clubs, and diners, and bars, and buses. There were battlefields and birthplaces, and legends, and roads. There was company if I wanted it, and there was solitude if I didn’t. Then three weeks ago I found myself getting off the bus on the highway five miles from here. Neagley runs a tight ship, everyone earns their place so I stepped in whenever they needed someone. Sometimes training, mostly security. I was on duty two weeks later when you set off one of the south sensors.”

I stared at him in shock as his words sunk in. The comments about his cabin, the lack of personal items and other little moments all came crashing together. “You’re not going to stay?” The words came out as a coldness wrapped its way around my heart and I became aware of how attached I had already become to the friendly little village. 

“I told you I would be honest,” he heaved out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t know, I never planned on finding you. I couldn’t imagine I had a fated mate out there. It was a fairytale that some of my friends had but wasn’t in the cards for me. I’m still getting my head around the fact that you are here.” I forced the threatening tears down when he gently used my chin to force me to look at him. “I won’t make a decision without you. We’re a team now.” 

I searched his face before nodding, bolstered by the sincerity in his words and gaze. “It’s nice to be a teammate and not just a pawn for once. Thank you Jack.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek, smiling inwardly at the hint of shock in his expression when I pulled away. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lingering warmth remained in the spot Morgan’s lips had touched him, even a couple hours after it happened and he sparred with the trainees. Dixon was a good trainer and all of her students excelled in learning how to use their wolves in a fight should the need arise. The focus today, however, was fighting without their wolf, something that Morgan seemed to be watching closely. Reacher had offered to take her somewhere she would be comfortable while he helped Dixon but after their talk she seemed to need the closeness, assuring him she wanted to watch.  

He could see her on the other side of the training area, watching Dixon show another smaller female how to use her speed against a bigger opponent. He walked over to her as the class wound down, an idea forming in his head. She had no power in her old life. He had seen the way it soothed her that he considered her his equal. Roscoe had no leads on why she couldn't shift and without her wolf she was at huge disadvantage against other shifters.

“Do you want to learn?” Reacher asked, stretching his hand towards her. She hesitated for a minute before determination crossed over her face and she nodded, grabbing his hand and letting him lead her away from the other students. “You heard Dixon telling them about speed?”

She nodded, stiffening slightly as he positioned her body. “Make yourself a smaller target and you're harder to hit.”

“And there’s no shame in running if you can.” he added, circling around to face her. “I’m going to try and grab you, try and avoid me.” Morgan nodded, taking a deep breath and watching him carefully. He waited a few seconds before pouncing towards her, catching her easily when she darted to the right. “You gave yourself away. You turned right and then hesitated. Once you make a decision, act, don’t hesitate.” 

They practiced for another couple hours before he noticed her wincing and rubbing at the cast on her arm. He was impressed with her determination. She was a quick learner and had mostly overcome the hesitation that gave her away managing to avoid him two times. “We better call it for today. Roscoe will have my hide if you hurt your arm more.” 

Morgan chuckled before sinking to the grass. “Thank you for teaching me. My father never would have allowed me to learn with my…handicap. He just surrounded me with bodyguards or kept me locked away in the house.”

“Everyone should know how to defend themselves. I will protect you until my last breath, but you need to know how to at least get away if someone attacks you.” Reacher sat down on the grass beside her looking towards the river that she had fallen into. 

She looked in that direction as well and smiled when she saw two wolves splashing out of the water, an black and tan one chasing a smaller brown one. The smaller one nipped playfully at the bigger one's snout before turning and running into the tree line at top speed. The bigger one howled and then followed. “Who was that?” Morgan laughed, following their path as they disappeared. 

“Sanchez & Melina. Their bonding ceremony is next week.” Reacher replied. 

“Can I see your wolf?” Reacher looked over to find Morgan staring at him apprehensively. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I held my breath as Jack studied my face and then nodded slightly. His shift was smooth and well practiced. One second I was sitting next to a large man and the next I was sitting next to a large wolf. I reached out and ran my hand through the blue gray fur of his chest. In human form Jack towered over me and his wolf did as well. In our sitting positions my head came to his shoulder. Standing I let my hand drift to the fur around his ears pulling back when he nuzzled my hand with his snout. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have asked before just petting you.” 

Wolf Jack moved into a standing position and made a growling sound before nudging my hand again until it rested on top of his head. When I scratched his tail began to wag and I giggled. “I feel like I’ve seen this wolf before.” Wolf Jack cocked his head as I thought, moving to stroke his neck and back. 

“Is Reacher wagging his tail?” An astonished shout came from several feet away and I squeaked in surprise when I found myself firmly behind Jack as he growled in the direction of the voice. Oscar Finlay appeared a moment later. “Down boy, I was just coming to let you know food’s almost ready at the pack house.” 

Jack suddenly shifted, as fluidly as before, blocking my view of Finlay. Peeking my head around him I waved. “What’s happening at the pack house?”

“Our monthly pack meeting, everyone eats there and we go over anything we need to.” Finlay filled in. “And we are definitely going to need to go over Reacher’s tail wagging.” He chuckled when Jack shot him a glare. 

I patted Jack’s arm before sliding it down to intertwine my hand with his. “Am I allowed to go? I’ve never gotten to be involved in pack activities.” 

I asked the question to Finlay but Reacher squeezed my hand and responded. “If you want to go, you can.” 

Finlay nodded, grinning at our intertwined hands. “I’ll see you there.”

Jack led us into the pack house half an hour later, winding us through the crowd and to a couple empty chairs at one of the trestle tables that had been setup in rows throughout the room. “Stay here, I'll grab some food.”

Charlie quickly joined me, dropping into an empty chair and greeting me with a hug. “Paul will be here in a minute, he’s dropping the girls off upstairs. They always have a movie set up for the kids up there while the adults handle business. I heard you did some training with Reacher today. You didn’t hurt your arm did you?” 

“He’s trying to teach me to be able to escape. I only managed to out maneuver him twice in three hours of practice. He made us stop when my arm started aching.” I smiled. 

“Twice is pretty good. Reacher is exceptionally trained, maybe more so than Alpha Neagley. Plus you’re his mate. He’s naturally more attuned to you.” she shrugged. 

I nodded, “I hadn’t thought of that.” 

Paul joined us then, placing their plates on the table.  “I couldn’t tell if Reacher was getting plates for both of you or just him, but I’m glad to be in front of him in line. I don’t know how he stays in that kind of shape but eats like that.”

“Genetics.” Jack’s voice sounded from behind me before four towering plates of food appeared in front of our seats. He placed an empty one in front of me before continuing. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want so take the first pick and I can eat whatever’s left.”

Neagley appeared at the front of the room where a podium was set up. The crowd quieted immediately, everyone found their seats and I watched in amazement at the respect the pack had for their leader. Reacher nudged me as it continued, pointedly looking at the pile of food in front of us. Rolling my eyes I grabbed some chicken and a few other items before picking up my fork and digging in. 

Near the end of the meeting Neagley announced Sanchez and Melina’s ceremony and the room came alive with applause and whistles while Sanchez pumped his arm in the air and Melina blushed at his side.

Turning to Charlie I got her attention before asking, “If I order a dress for the ceremony would it get here in time? I just realized I don’t have anything and I hate to keep hogging your wardrobe.” 

“We’re going into Utica in a couple days, why don’t you come with us?” Charlie offered. “I have to pick up our medicine shipment. Angela, Franz’s mate, is also coming. She has to pick up some supplies for the inn.” 

“That would be great.” I turned to Jack who was putting the last piece of chicken from my plate in his mouth. “What do you think?”

“You do need some more clothes and a coat,” he shrugged. 

“It’s settled then!” Charlie waved down Dixon who joined them. “Morgan is going to join us on our trip to Utica. She needs some more clothes.” 

“I hope that’s ok.” I offered. “I’m living out of Charlie’s wardrobe at the moment.” 

“Not a problem at all little wolf, it will be a girls trip.” Neagley planted herself on the table beside Dixon. 

“Wait, girls trip. I’m going with Morgan.” Jack looked between the women.

“I don’t think so big guy, I need you to take over training for Dixon while we’re gone.” Neagley put her hand up when he went to argue.

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

Reacher’s Cabin, Rock Hill Village, New York

Neagley gave him a look he knew from their time in the service. One that said she wasn’t discussing the topic anymore, he was not going on this trip. “She will be with Dixon and me the whole time. You know she’s safe with us. We have Charlie if her arm acts up.”

“Nothing can happen to her, Neagley.” It was more of a plea than an agreement but she still nodded. They turned as Morgan came down the steps to meet them at the SUV. “Stay with Dixon or Neagley,” he reached into his pocket and handed her his card. “Get whatever clothes or other stuff you need. And a coat, it’s going to get colder.” 

Morgan put her hand up to stop him, “I have enough of my own to get a dress and a couple things I need. I’m not spending any more of your money.”

Before he could reply Neagley stepped in and swiped the card from his hand. “I have no problem spending more of your money. Thanks for lunch. Come on little wolf.” 

Jack gently grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. “Morgan, get what you need. He kissed her forehead before adding, “Stay with the group. Please, mon reve.”

Morgan nodded, giving him a quick hug before hurrying into the backseat beside Angela. 

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

Utica, New York

“Are you sure this is ok for the ceremony?” I asked, twirling in the mirror. 

Angela turned from where she was handing Dixon a different top to try on. “You look lovely! Have you ever been to a bonding ceremony?”

“Angela.” Charlie snapped and Neagley shook her head but I put my hand up.

“It’s ok. I have only been to my own and I didn’t get much of a say in it.” I shrugged. “I wasn’t allowed to attend many events.” 

“I’m sorry Morgan, I didn’t think before I spoke.” Angela was ringing her hands together. “When you and Reacher have one you will be able to choose whatever you want.” 

A hush fell over the group as they all looked at me and my heart plummeted. “Oh, um. I don’t know…we’ve never really talked about it…and I…I can’t shift. Excuse me, I should change.” Hurrying back into the dressing room I pulled the dress off and hung it over the door. “Get it together Morgan” I whispered to myself, fighting to keep the tears that had sprung to my eyes from falling. I hadn’t considered that a bonding ceremony would be expected. Did Jack want one? I was a defective wolf. Did I want to go through that again? Knowing how my one to KJ had gone. It had been a miserable few hours in a dress that was too tight and not in my style at all. And then that night…I shuddered, biting my lip hard and covering my mouth to mask the sob that tried to escape. 

By the time I pulled myself together and left the changing room the other women had made their purchases and were waiting by the register. “Did one of you grab the dress off the door? I think i’ll just get that today.” 

“Already taken care of, went ahead and got you a few more things also.” Dixon held up four large bags.

“Big guy wanted us to make sure you were taken care of since we wouldn’t let him be here. That was the only way we were leaving the village without him tailing us and I still double checked on the way here.” Neagley shrugged, flashing Jack’s credit card. 

Charlie stopped me from replying with a hard look. “Morgan, Reacher has plenty of money. He hardly buys anything with his pension and Paul started making investments for him after an incident a few years back.”

“He also cares about you.” Angela smiled shyly. “My comment was foolish before. I wasn’t thinking. But you have to know how much he cares for you. Reacher never lets people in but I see, we all see the way he looks at you.” 

I wiped a tear that slipped out giving the group a watery smile. “I’m really glad I stumbled into this village. You are all wonderful.” I pulled Jack’s card out of Neagley’s hand. “Who’s ready for lunch?” 

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

Margrave, Northern Georgia

‘Alpha, there’s something you both need to see.” The Kliner packs new head of security appeared in the doorway with an envelope and a tablet. Kliner waved him in, sitting in the big chair behind his desk, leaving KJ to stand beside him. He placed the envelope on the desk and opened it revealing several pictures of Morgan. 

“Where was this and how long ago?” KJ grabbed a photo, studying it closely. 

“Face recognition flagged it ten minutes ago in Utica, New York sir.” the guard answered, reading off the tablet. 

KJ cursed, slamming the photo back onto the desk. “How the fuck did she get to Utica, load up the cars, we leave in one hour.” 

“Wait.” Kliner said calmly but everyone in the room froze. “Who is she with?” He looked over the photos at the other women sitting at the restaurant. 

“We’re running facial recognition on them now Alpha.” he glanced between Alpha and son. 

“We don’t make a move until we know what we’re going into.” He put his hand up to stop KJ’s outburst. “Your stupid decisions regarding Morgan Stone are what got us into this situation.” He turned back to the guard. “Notify her father we have a lead and I want to know the minute we find out who is sheltering her. 

*Italicized section is a direct copy from The Affair by Lee Child

[admrlthundrbolt]

Dance Macabre (Bruno x Chubby Reader)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bruno Madrigal hears that there is another seer in town and curiosity gets the better of him. But it turns out there's more than meets the eye with this new person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys. I'm back. This was longer than expected, I kept going back and forth on concepts. Anyways I hope you enjoy romancing the rat man himself.

---------------------------------------------------------

Bruno was glad that his family was accepting of him after his disappearance. Though it seemed like not all the village felt the same. No one was outright rude, but he knew. Between visions and whispered words, it was obvious.

So when he first found out about you, he was hesitant. Dolores had heard rumors of a seer setting up camp outside of town. You coming was fine, but a new self-proclaimed seer. This was odd.

Next was Luisa, she came home one day with a love struck look on her face. When her mother asked her about it at dinner, she said she went to the seer. And thanks to her she finally got the courage to confess to her friend. A sweet young girl, who obviously shared the same feelings, but was also to shy to confess.

After word spread about the help she gave the Madrigal family, she was flooded with customers. Everyone and their brother was going to see her. On top of that, they were singing her praises.

He didn't get it. What did she have that he didn't? So realizing that this situation was driving him crazy, he went to see her. After he figured out how to talk one of the kids into joining him. Mirabel was great moral support, but not the most tactful.

“So Tio is there any reason you want to go meet the new seer?”

“I was curious is all.” He trailed off, ringing his hands together. This would have been less nerve wracking with one of his rats. But she had talked him out of bringing any of them. Saying that a lot of people didn't like rats and we didn't want to scare the woman. Still he wished he was petting one of them for comfort.

“Well, I think it's a great idea. You both already have so much in common.” She said with a sly look coming across her face.

“What are you getting at Mirabel.” This conversation was not helping his anxiety.

“Just that, you guys might hit it off.”

“I haven't even met the woman.” He said with a stern look.

They had reached a large tent on the edge of town. A sign staked in the ground said ‘Madam (Y/N)’. Bruno hesitated at the entrance, he had no idea how to announce himself.

Mirabel saw her uncle's struggle and rolled her eyes. She grabbed his hand and shoved through the tent flap.

They where greeted by an unexpected sight. A full figured women was chasing a cat around the room.

“Get back here you demon!” Her round cheeks were flushed red.

Bruno wondered how long she had been chasing the cat. He was brought out of his thoughts by the feline leaping at him. With just enough of a reaction, he managed to catch it. It was only then that he noticed the scarf in it’s mouth.

She came to a sliding stop, mere inches from his nose. Her warm huffing breath hitting his face. She had such enchanting eyes, he found himself lost in them.

“Oh, thank you.” She scooped the bundle from his arms and scolded the cat. “ I’ve told you not to steal my scarfs. I’ll never understand why you’re so obsessed with them.” She took the accessory from it and began to tie the scarf around her head. “Now, how can I…Brunito?”

His eyes widened in shock. “Yes, I mean, have we met before?” He was sure he would remember someone so bewitching.

“Not quite. I had a session with some of your family. You came up a lot.” Her inviting manner was intoxicating.

So much so that he had forgotten Mirabel was there, until she cleared her throat. “Tio Bruno, I realized that Abuela needed my help this afternoon. It was great seeing you again Madam (Y/N).” She rushed from the tent.

Wait, she had been here before? Bruno had a suspicious that there may have been ulterior motives for her agreeing to come along. Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his arm, he jolted in surprise. Then blushed when he saw the gentle reassuring smile on her face.

“Would you join me for afternoon tea?” She said in a soft tone. “I may even have some sweets from my travels to go with it.”

He hesitated, glancing to her table he saw a steaming cup of tea, so they had interupted. But on the other hand, it would be rude to not accept an invitation. So he nodded and sat at the table as she looked for snacks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bruno wasn’t sure he could remember enjoying the company of someone outside of his family. He had the most pleasant afternoon with you. The conversation flowed. When there was a silent moment, it didn’t feel awkward.

The relief he felt when neither of you brought up your profession was also great. It was as if you both understood the weight of the job and kept it out of the conversation.

He couldn't remember a more pleasant afternoon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As he returned home, he didn't expect the onslaught of questions he would get at the door.

“What did they do?”

“Have tea.”

“What did they talk about?”

“Just general conversation.”

“What did he think of her?”

“She's nice.”

It seemed to simmer down after that, until dinner that is. Then the questions started all over again. Though this time he realized something. His sister's were the ones asking the more leading questions. Then the kids would follow from there.

So after everyone had left the table, he stayed to help clean up. Which was when he turned the questions on Julieta. “When did you and Pepa decide to get me to meet the seer?”

Her shoulders dropped and she shook her head. “I should have know you would figure it out hermano. We just want what's best for you.” She reached out for his arm, but he backed away.

“And how is forcing two people into each other’s lives for the 'best’?”

She crossed her arms with a slight frown. “We thought that you would both enjoy each other’s company. You do have a lot in common.”

He wanted to scoff at that. The only thing they had in common was being seers. He was horrible Bruno, the seer of disasters. She was wonderful, so sweet and beautiful. Everyone loves her, for good reason. “Well, she should have a say in it all.”

Her posture became less stiff. “She been asking about you since she found out you were a seer.”

His head shot toward her with wide eyes. “She has.” He said, more breathless than he would like to admit.

“Yes. I think she wanted to meet some one who would understand. You know.”

“Yeah, I guess.” He said with a shrug.

She then pulled him into a tight hug. “So, tell me all about your visit.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And so the visits for tea continued. A few times a week Bruno would make his way to your tent after lunch. The conversation would flow and the atmosphere was always warm. Her cat would leisurely make her way between either of their laps. He couldn't remember a more peaceful time in his life.

So as he lay awake, one restless night, he started at the moon. Comparing it’s alluring beauty to you. He then realized he was in love with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next time he went for a visit, he hesitated. It felt like the first time he met you all over again. His heart was hammering in his ears, his palms were clammy, and he couldn't stop fidgeting. Would she want to be in a romantic relationship or be friends. His heart stopped at the thought of her wanting to not even be friends. If his feeling drove a wedge between them.

But that faded away when he saw she was taking down her tent.

She heard him come up and turned around smiling. “Hey, I was hoping you'd be by soon. If not i’d have to find your house.” Your smile shifted to something more timid, a look that Bruno wasn’t used to.

“Why are you packing?”

“I’ve out lived my timr in this town. I’m moving on.” She reached out and clasped his hands in his. “I was hoping you would come with me.” Her hands squeezed tighter. “If you want to, that is.”

He thought for a long moment, could he abandon his family again. Then he caressed her hands. “I don’t think I can leave my family. I’m sorry.”

She smiled at him with teary eyes. “It’s OK, I understand. I’m heading West, if you ever want to join me.”

He looked at her, with his own moist stare. “I’ll never forget you.” Then he gave her a strong hug. Both of them holding back unsaid emotions, parted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day he spent in total solitude. Never answering his door or leaving his room. He was miserable. He finally snuck out from hiding to get something to eat, his stomach gnawing at his backbone.

What he didn't expect was for his mother to be waiting for him in the kitchen. She motioned at the chair beside her and he walked over. His shoulders slumped further as he sat, upset at getting caught.

They both sat for a moment, until he finally break the silence. “How long have you been waiting?”

“For as long as I needed to hijo.”

“You didn't have to.”

She gave him a tender look. “I know, but I wanted to. Now tell me what has you holing yourself away.”

He knew it would be a matter of time before someone asked him. So he layed his feelings on the table.

She seemed surprised, then her expression morphed into one of joy. “I’m so happy for you hijo." She became confused. “Why did you not go with her?”

He was stunned. “I only came back. I didn't want to abandon my family again.”

She shook her head with a mournful smile. “No mijo, love for another, doesn't mean loosing the ones you already care for.” She laid a hand on his. “Follow what your heart tells you.”

He nodded and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll think about it.” Then he got a snack and went back into hiding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In another day, he was giving the Madrigal household a teary goodbye. Everyone was sniffling, but smiling. He then headed out, with a overloaded pack, full of many traveling gifts.

Mid day of his trek, he noticed an odd sight. A tent with the sign ‘Madam (Y/N)’ staked outside. His slow pace disappeared as he raced towards the familiar sight. Calling out as he sped up, he was elated when you poked your head out of the entrance.

You grinned and race over to meet him. Colliding into an embrace, you both grip at each other fiercely. Drawing back, you grabbed his cheeks and pull him in for a kiss. Backing away, your not sure who's more shocked by your actions.

“I’m sorry. I was so excited to see you. I should have asked before.” You ramble, but he stopped you with another kiss.

“It’s fine.” He said with a smile. “How are you only this far?”

“I thought you might need a few days to decide.” She said with a knowing look.

With a shake of his head he kissed her again.

[amethysts-angel0214]

Did you know that Oh! Jesus was going to have 3 more episodes? Well, that's because those episodes were scrapped, while the other 3 still exist. I will resurface them from the dead.

Episode 4: "A Sad Prayer"

The setting is Hawaii. There is a fisherman's family. One day, the boat capsizes in a storm and the father goes missing. The mother is in despair, but the young child believes that "his father is holding on to the planks of the boat and is safe." The mother embraces her son and prays to God. "Oh, well, we can't give up yet. God, please let him live." Nora, hearing his prayer, casts a spell. The mother and son prayed to the sea every day from the top of the cliff. The villagers sympathize with them, saying, "Poor thing." Boron is impressed, but asks Nora. "Wow. You can pray like that to someone who is no longer with you. By the way, Nora, did you save your father? Where is he?"

When Nora went in the direction she pointed, Boron was surprised at the devastation. Sure enough, his father was floating in the sea, clinging to the plank of the ship, just as his son had wished. However, there were many sharks circling around him. The sharks had been prevented from approaching by Nora's magic, but in the middle of the sea, the father was frightened and calling for help. Boron: "What?! Is this helping him???" Boron instinctively used his storm magic to blow a gust of wind. The storm blew the father, still clinging to the plank, out to sea and he reached the shore. A muscular giant came and listened to his father's heartbeat. The giant was shocked at his father's cardiac arrest and began artificial respiration. Boron: "Now he can go home. How about it, Nora? I helped him." Nora applauds with a smile.

A villager runs into the mother and son's house. Villager: "Your husband was rescued in the next village!" The mother and son drive to the next village, where they see the father leaning on the shoulder of a giant. The two of them are wearing matching outfits and are making love. Perhaps the artificial respiration was wrong, but the father who was rescued had become romantically involved with the giant who had rescued him.

Something inside the mother snaps. The accelerator is pressed hard. The tires spin. Son: "Mom?" The car continues to hurt the giant and his father, crashing into them. The two are thrown like a chain reaction and pushed off a cliff into the sea. Boron is surprised.

The mother is out of breath in the car, then suddenly comes to her senses and turns to her son, smiling as she speaks. Mother: "Now, let's pray for Dad again." Son: "What?... Ah... O-okay." Mother and son pray from the top of a cliff, facing the sea. Son: "Please come back to me, Dad, who won't make Mommy angry." On the sea, a giant and his father are floating, crying out, "Help us!" Sharks are circling around them. Boron: "Oh! Jesus."

Episode 5: "Capitalist Society"

The setting is Japan. There is a businessman whose sales figures are not increasing. The product he sells is "Get in Shape with the Bible." It is a set of a DVD of dancing to gospel music and a Bible. However, the businessman who is not selling well makes a wish. "Oh, God, I want to increase my sales figures." Hearing these words, Nora casts a spell. Then, the leather shoes he is wearing turn into bright red magic shoes. The next moment, regardless of the businessman's will, the shoes control his feet and he runs into various houses. "Wow, that's exactly what I wanted! Healthy products for the mind and body!" The products sold one after another at the places he visited.

His sales performance at the company is growing, and a cute girl he likes has even turned her attention to him. The businessman is happy about this, but he has no time to spend the huge bonus he received, and is forced to work from morning to night, at the mercy of his red shoes. He can't take off those shoes even if he tries. The idea of ​​getting in shape with the Bible is spreading throughout society, and Boron doesn't find it funny. He doesn't find the spread of the Bible interesting, and he's also physically repulsed by the creepy dance. If you get hit on the right cheek, you put on the left cheek. Boron: "Eeek. I get a weird aura and it's creepy..."

Boron wants to stop this trend, but Nora is dancing next to him with her Walkman on. Boron is disheartened. Meanwhile, the businessman is overworked and wants to quit. But he can't quit because his performance is improving. In the dilemma of wanting to quit but being unable to, the businessman pretends to be cheerful but is getting more and more tired. After laughing hysterically and insanely, Ding... The red shoes fall off his skinny feet, who died from overwork. Boron: "Humans are stupid. What's the point of working yourself to death?" Everyone in the company is crying because the businessman died from overwork. His cute daughter is also crying because she's lost her love. Boron: "Isn't that right? People always realize they've lost something before they realize it. Well, it's fine. That strange trend has died down." At this point, the president shouts. President: "Oh, because this guy is dead, our company's performance will plummet!" The employees start crying even louder at the president's words. Boron: "Eh?"

The funeral of the businessman is being held. When the DVD is put into the player, "Trance Sutra" is displayed on the TV screen. On live TV, the announcer shouts, "Using the Bible to shape yourself is outdated. From now on, you'll lose weight with trans-sutras!" At the same time, the company president and employees begin dancing in front of the businessman's coffin. In a capitalist society, even the death of a businessman is used to advertise a product. His performance report jumps up again after he dies. Boron says, "Oh! Jesus."

Episode 6: "Possessed by the Devil"

The setting is England. A girl is writing a letter. "Please come home soon, Daddy. My new mommy is acting strange." Then her stepmother arrives. The stepmother picks up the letter, reads it, tears it up, and slaps the girl. The girl is in tears. The stepmother prays to heaven. "Oh, God, please let that child be possessed by the devil." Nora hears her prayer and casts a spell. Then Boron's body starts to move uncontrollably and enters the girl's body. The girl's voice changes to that of Boron. Girl (Boron): "Hey, stepmother. Don't think you can get away with doing this to me. You too, Nora!" The stepmother is shocked and calls the priest. The exorcism ritual begins.

Boron is trapped in the girl's body and feels cramped, so he goes wild. To the priest, he sees a possessed girl raging on her bed. The priest desperately shouts at Boron to get out, pouring holy water over him. Priest: "Go away! Filthy beast! Free the child from her suffering!" Behind him, the stepmother smiles. Girl (Boron): "Hey, look closely! Damn priest! This girl's suffering is your stepmother's fault! People are always hurting people! Don't blame the devil!" Furious, Boron uses magic to summon thunderclouds and cause a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes the garden and there is a power outage. The priest says, "This is the Great Demon King!" and runs away, but he does hand the bill over to the stepmother. The stepmother, annoyed, takes out a knife and stabs the girl, saying, "I'll kill the demon!" The pain makes Boron move away from the girl. Boron: "Oh no! That was close. I was almost killed." The knife was stuck in the girl's right shoulder. The stepmother tries to finish off the girl, who is writhing in pain.

The father returns. He opens the door and sees the stepmother about to stab his daughter to death in the midst of a flash of lightning. Father: "What are you doing?" Stepmother: "Oh, you. No, it's not that, this is because the girl is possessed by the demon." Girl: "Dad, help me!"

The next day, after the rain. The stepmother is handcuffed and taken away by a police car. Boron: "Really. That was quite a disturbing incident." The girl suddenly looked up at the sky and began speaking into the empty space. Girl: "Thank you, Devil. I heard everything you said." Boron's face went red, and Nora smiled. Boron: "Oh! Jesus! Don't thank the Devil!"

Welp! That was a blast reading those! Bye! Have a great time!