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reverie-verse · 4 months ago

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Anakin Skywalker x Reader: Forbidden Attachments PT 1..

Prompt: A time between the Clone Wars on the verge of beginning and then end of Padawan ages. Y/N is in love with Anakin, but his heart seems to belong to someone else. Senator Padme. One thing a Jedi cannot do, is the one thing that sets her free…Her life takes a turn resulting in her starting over, finding a new life on a different planet. Only a few years later does an unexpected visit rehash old feelings.

*Glimpses of Obi Wan, Ahsoka, Rex.

A/N: I had an anon reach out an ask for a part 2, then I read this one so I could get in the mood lmaooo. THEN I realized I NEEDED to rewrite part 1 again.....soooo I did! Ummm please enjoy!

Part 2 is ON THE WAY!!!!🫶��

My REQUESTS are OPEN!!!! 😌

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The day you left the order was the hardest decision you’ve ever made. It wasn’t because of false accusations or because you believed that the sith could help you achieve goals the Jedi couldn’t. No it was one specific rule, one specific code. Attachments are Forbidden. Love was forbidden and you were in love with Anakin, your best friend. It wasn't his fault, you couldn’t blame him for being himself. You couldn’t exactly blame the code either, it was a rule you needed to abide by. However, it hadn’t stopped the pain that coursed through your body, your heart, and your mind. You knew the reality of the situation, you knew there wasn’t an easy way to go about this, to work through this. The love that you craved was immense, you felt drawn to him, yet you knew the truth, he could never care for you the way you hoped.

But that was a lie.

He could care in the way you yearned for, only it wasn’t you he wanted. The memory was fresh, as if it had happened yesterday, how could you forget? You were beginning your rounds of patrol, it was your turn that night. Obi Wan usually took the first shift leaving room for him to meditate when he can. Anakin took the second shift to avoid ruining his sleeping schedule, to soak in the last remaining source of the sun. You took the last shift because you had always taken the shifts or the jobs nobody wanted. You hadn’t minded, you enjoyed the peace and the quiet that came with it.

Only it was that night that you had regretted it. Per usual you had wandered down the halls, your gaze landing on every corner, crevice, window, walls, doors, rooms. You had continuously minding your thoughts to yourself, even then as you walked, you couldn’t help it. Work seemed to find itself placed on the back burner as you drifted in and out of wants and desires. You reprimanded yourself repeatedly as you tried to embed the code as far deep into your soul as possible…But it all came to an end. You had reached her corridor, looking further into the hall even within the dim lighting, it was as clear as day. Your heart shattered.

It’s pathetic how well you remembered the way Padme grasped Anakin’s arm. The way she pulled him into her room, so late into the evening as it neared the middle of the night. The way he looked at her, his eyes wandering her features, he took her in as though she were the only woman in the galaxy. Her lashes flutter as her gaze locks onto his, her smile sweet, warm, and welcoming. It was an open invitation, as she guided him into the heated space of her bedroom. He followed her with such ease, he practically melted in front of her, his thoughts no longer his own echoing into an abyss that was only heard by you.

Your mind and body are no longer connected, your feet moving backward, retracing your steps. They guided you towards your bedroom, forgetting the fact that you still had hours left of your duty. Your mind and your heart collided for the second time, only it wasn’t pleasant as it once was, time it was painful. The yearning, the wanting, the day dreaming the milliseconds of when you touched or when you locked eyes or when you spoke truths to each other-it had all but ceased. It crumbled apart right before your eyes. You felt betrayed, you felt envious, you felt delusional, you felt wrong, you felt guilty. But you were thankful, you were thankful he hadn’t noticed you were thankful that you could escape knowing now that he would never love you the way he had Padme.

This was your time. It was selfish you know, and you realized that your life’s work depended on this decision. You were selfish with it all, the Jedi were never meant to be that way. They were meant to be selfless and giving, protectors, you were none of those things, at least not in the eyes of the Jedi. You had devoted all your life to the cause of the war, the battles that you won, the battles that you’ve lost, the lives that you’ve saved and the lives you lost all for what? You were tormented in every aspect of your life and this was the final straw. You have given all of it up, it was pathetic, and it was stupid indeed, but deep down you had already craved a simple life. So you made the decision to leave and there was no one to stop you. The moment opportune.

You had a plan, you knew the routine schedule of the Nabooian security forces. You knew where your beloved Master and friend.. would be, it was just too easy. You had known that taking your own ship, or a Nabooian ship would alert everyone of your disappearance. It was easier to slip out taking one of the speeders you found as you travel by foot for the first few miles. From there it was a cake walk allowing you to take off without so much of a trace. It was a success, to say the least, by now it would be too late. Dawn was nearing, you had already passed the inner city, the port and onto the cargo ship. With your bag slung over your shoulder as you walk along the corridor, the vessel makes its great escape as it exits the atmosphere.

You knew that you wouldn’t be returning to Coruscant, you knew how devastated Anakin would be. As any concerned friend would be… Obi Wan would be there to deliver the loss, while Padme would take the chance to ease his pain in every way possible. You couldn’t stay in Naboo or to return home to the Jedi temple on Coruscant. You couldn’t bear the pain that came from watching someone else fall in love with someone else that wasn’t you. Nor could you ignore the feelings that bubbled beneath your skin, the life of Jedi was taking its toll and for once this decision hadn’t felt wrong. You felt a slight relief, this was a good thing, you were going to start a new life, one that you craved. You were going to be free of all the madness in your life…

It had been close to two years now, you had found yourself a home on Aurea, in the city of Shakamm Crater. A vast planet filled with forests, oceans, sands, a tropical climate, a beautiful home, it was better than all the metal structures you were used to. The planet itself practically ran on so many various forms of trades, and skills, artisans of all kinds. It was easy to find a low maintenance job, one that allowed you to keep a low profile and keep an eye on potential exposing threats. You were lucky in the fact that there were millions of people that resided here. That alone brought comfort to you with an extra padding of protection. You knew that the Jedi would never check the core worlds, only the outer rim held their focus.

It had reached nightfall by now, you had gotten home maybe an hour or two ago, a small humble abode in the middle of an open field nearest the ocean and forest. You sought out a home that allowed you to live at the edge of the city, the area brought a deep comfort reminding you of some of the gardens you once walked through at the temple. Your home was open, your floor plan wide, everything within sight, except of course your bedroom and bathroom. It was exactly the space you needed and nothing more and nothing less. A breeze had swept past the cotton material of your curtain. You had wandered over to it, wrapping the cloth together and pinning it to the side. A late night indeed. The breeze was cooler in the middle of the night, the stars amongst the galaxy calling to you. You take a seat near the windowsill, your chin tucked into your hand. Your hair wet from the previous shower you had taken, your large tunic and shorts, loose against your body. The moons at its highest peak, a steady stream of light pouring in. You take a moment shutting your eyes, as you battle the memories of your past that threaten to consume you.

———-

A specific image of you sitting in a home, you in your natural state, your hair in its unruliness, a sight he hasn’t seen in a few years…This version of you was placed near a window overlooking a view, one that he couldn’t see. One that the force wouldn’t allow him to see. Oh how you haunted him in every aspect of his waking life, odd moments, during meditations, and even in his slumber. When he was the most relaxed he received these visions. What had he expected carrying your trophies around as if they were a part of him. He places a hand on his forehead, a headache beginning to form behind his eyes, he shuts them for just a brief moment or two to relieve the pain but nothing comes of it.

Rex, his loyal captain, his friend, turned to look at his General “Sir are you alright?” Anakin knew the reason he was asking, the two in the past have shared their horrific memories, bonding in a way that allows him to feel safe with trust. The many sleepless nights, the days spent in triggering environments, forcing old and new memories to collide..

“Yeah I’m just fine Rex” He grumbled, not in the mood to respond to his question in further detail. This was exhausting him, driving him into a silent madness. He knew Rex knew better than to push the situation, so he hadn’t. For that Anakin was grateful for, at this time he had no energy left to give. Anakin wasn’t sure why it was like this, this…recurrence of you. You were everywhere and in everything. His mind was tormented and not a single person could help him ease his pain. Not his padawan, his old Master, not even Padme.

“Master I can’t keep fixing this power core, I need a new one and the fuel tank is running low-” Ahsoka shouts from the back of the ship, Anakin heaved a sigh as she drags herself back into the cockpit. Ahsoka, with each passing day was beginning to remind Anakin of himself. Her attitude, her knowledge that she gained, her skills growing, Rex refrains from chuckling as Ahsoka stops in her tracks “-Where are we?”

Obi Wan only shakes his eye as his locks onto a set of coordinates before looking out towards the massive planet. “I believe we’re headed for Planet Aurea, I hear Shakamm Crater has a docking station. Fuel and maintenance might be a bargain.” Obi Wan says as he checks the scanners. There were two engine malfunctions and the fuel tank ran dangerously low.

“Great, let's hope the repair won’t cost a fortune.” Anakin replies as he pressed a few control keys before pulling back on the yoke, he nods his head towards Rex. With extra support Rex began to slow down the ship as it passed through its orbit and through its atmosphere. The sun’s burning glow hit the planet signaling that it was daylight.

“There’s the station” Ahsoka points out as Anakin helps Rex fly the ship closer, landing it on a dock. The group opens up the hatch as they exit the craft taking in the scenery before them. There lay an assortment of ships, workers, and droids. Sparks floated about the air as equipment mold, cut seal and from pieces of metal. In all directions various sounds filled the station, rumblings of engines, motors, workers, customers and droids shouting amongst each other. It was easy to get side tracked if no one knew where to look or what to do. Ahsoka and Rex were slightly captivated by this environment, there was an energy about it, the openness, the invitation of it all.

Obi Wan and Anakin had a set routine, and while Ahsoka may be learning, it came with instinct the way the two immediately went searching for a mechanic. Time was of the essence and with a quickness, Anakin and Obi Wan spotted a mechanic, who happened to have been wiping the grease from his hands and fingers, and exasperated sigh leaving his lips. “What can I do for you?”

“We need fuel, a new power core and a new engine, oh and our left wing needs some attention. We need it done by tomorrow. ” Anakin states as he crosses his arms, Obi Wan already in the same stance.

The worker glares at him, frustration clearly evident. “Tomorrow? I at least need a few days to get the parts- What’d you do? Fight some pirates or something”

“Now why would we tell you that?” Anakin’s voice clips. Obi Wan takes notice choosing to remain silent until he feels he needs to step in…which he could only assume won’t be long.

“Look, you won’t find a better worker than me around here-” The worker taking a step forward causing Anakin to raise a slight eyebrow.

“Never mind that, We will pay you handsomely to fix it in a few days” Obi Wan offers as he takes a step forward between them.

The worker shifts his angered gaze from Anakin’s and towards Obi Wans. “ What’d you have in mind?” Obi Wan slips to the side pulling the attention of the worker allowing them to separate from his padawan. Anakin rolls his eyes keeping his shoulders square, arms tightly crossed as he scanned the area. The smell of burning metal brought a comfort to him, a warm comfort at that. For a moment it allowed him to relax, to find peace, it was only then did he realize what he’d done. A tug pulls at his chest, a familiar one at that. The bond that Anakin had with the force was immense and strong. His intuition, his instincts were usually never wrong.

He takes this as a cue, one from the force that suggested he dive deeper. Again a harsher pull, that caused his heart to leap, his eyes searching, as his feet began to guide him. For a brief second his heart stopped, as the pull so great caused him to freeze. There it was, that essence, it drew him in further, his head shifted slightly to the side. It was right there, the thing that called to him through the force if only he could just-His eyes follow an invisible line over his shoulder, time seemed to have ceased in its very existence. His chest tightens, his breath trapped within his throat, there a sight for sore eyes, was you, the very person he dreamt of.

There you were burning brighter than a thousand suns, your skin glowing. You swiped the back of your hand onto your forehead, pushing at the loose hair to the sides and out of your eyes. The grease on your hands smeared a tiny bit into your forehead. You had worn a uniform jumpsuit that the sleeves were tied around your waist, exposing your short sleeve shirt. More grease and dirt stained the skin of your arms and neck. You were captivating, breathtaking, Anakin was sure he was forgetting to breathe.

You were in a position of concentration, you had been sitting criss crossed on the nose of a ship. You had been working on the droid that had been trapped in its place. It beeped at you causing you to shake your head allowing you to loosen it up just a tad. You were only a mere few paces away and yet he could see you clear as day. Anakin hadn’t missed the way your smile had broken its seriousness. A coworker of yours had wandered over to you, saying something that naturally let your beautiful laughter escape. You had quickly turned your attention allowing the small robotic creature to jump out of its pocket landing next to its owner. Your friend who shouts something at you causing you to wave them off.

They cackled loudly and waited till you hopped down from the nose of the ship. You smiled and spoke, shaking your head. You reached into your backpack that you had now slung over your shoulder, you pulled out something small. He wasn’t able to make out what it was but by the looks of it your friend was happy. The two of you waving goodbye to one another only to catch the eyes of Anakin in the process. The force had a funny way of bringing the ones you know and love back into your life. It was then you froze, your heart thumped with everything it had. Your chest squeezing, the air from your lungs evaporating. It felt as though no time had passed, the way you two connected, a strong cord securing its hold, it pulled you both in. For a moment you remember it all, the love, the pain, the comfort, anger, the happiness, every bit of emotion there was to feel.. all brought up from the past..

You didn’t want to admit that after all this time you still loved him. That he still looked as handsome as the day you first met. He no longer had a padawan braid signifying that he passed the trials. Both hands were protected by gloves, only one was more textured than the other. His hair grew a few inches longer than the last time you saw him. A scar cutting through the top of his eyebrow and down to his cheek, his piercing blue eyes, locked with yours. You’d heard stories about him, most of which were his heroic deeds, his cunningness and his ability to chaotically strategize. A poster boy for the republic for the Jedi. Then there were other stories that suggested a dark version of him, one only smugglers and bounty hunters speak of. His reputation preceded him, in more ways than one.

Anakin held an intensity about him, always falling into depth, on each end of the scale never in between. To match his intensity a boyish nature flickers behind his eyes. A way to keep relief from all the chaos and suffering of the war. Still even now he found ways to peer into your soul to keep you trapped beneath his gaze. A trace so heavily captivating it was hard to break-but you had too. With two blinks, you took a step back, your thoughts finally catching up to your body. There was a decent amount of space between you, even then your mind began to calculate its time and an exit plan. He may have a hold over you but, maker forbid, that he brings you back to the Jedi. You weren’t going to risk it, not this time. No matter how deep your bond ran, or how much you used to love him.

Obi Wan comes into view, placing a hand on his shoulder. Two more people who you had not recognized joined him on the opposite side. It had taken you mere seconds to recognize that young togurta is a force wielder. You didn't need to look for the lightsabers. The man behind her was a clone easily distinguished by the many rogue clones you had encountered along the way. Obi mouths your name in question, the young padawans gaze follows theirs towards your direction, realization flashes across her features. Reality bends back into its original form, the opportunity arises as you break out into a run. Anakin took his only chance to go after you, he shouts at Obi Wan to stay with the ship, Ahsoka and Rex both protesting, wanting to follow him. However, Obi Wan knew better than to interfere.

You’re faster than Anakin remembered, usually he’d out run you but this time you were out running him. Somewhere in the space between the crowd and the exit, he shouts your name, calling for you. You ignored him against every fiber of your being. Your feet carried you through the sea of people, your body slamming into every other person you came across. You hadn’t even had the chance to mutter an apology. You had created a pattern, one that you ingrained into your mind for a day like this. You zig zagged through the crowd creating confusion as you ran for the threshold. You reached the edge of door heading for the platform. You see your speeder in sight tossing your bag in the passenger as you threw yourself into the front seat. Your hands worked quickly struggling to get the speeder started.

Your eyes flickering up briefly to notice Anakin had come to a slow jog outside of the station. You curse under your breath as you tried the system again it created an unsettling sound fear building up in your chest. “C’mon c’mon c’mon” you groaned as you kept trying. Anakin catches your eyes, his feet carrying him towards you, a roar of the speeder signaling that its alive. You had no room for hesitation, your foot slamming down kicking the vehicle into gear. Anakin swears as his eyes scan the area for a speeder to hijack. What could only be described as force luck, he finds one, quickly igniting it, placing it into gear as he chases after. He’ll be damned if he lets you get away one more time. Hes relentless, at the upmost level, he’s refusal significantly stronger. He will not let you get away, that’s not an option. He’s relentless, his refusal at a it’s maximum level. He just needed to see you, to grab a hold of you and throttle you for leaving him when you did. To wrap his arms around you to tell you that he missed you. You weren’t getting away this time.

———

As you reached your home you clumsily parked the speeder, the plants and grass swayed with the motion of the wind. You rushed into your home, heading for your room. Underneath the floor boards you buried an emergency bag. You knew a day like this would come, the Jedi would be searching for you. They’d sent three Jedi and a clone to prove that to you, and they weren’t just any Jedi. Maker only knows of their plans, what they might do to you. Force you to stand trial as a criminal, give you a life sentence for crimes that you’d never committed? Or would they exile you as if you hadn’t already done that yourself? What brand had they placed onto your name? Foolish thoughts but the possibilities could easily become your reality. You knew the Jedi were capable of anything as long as they felt it benefited a cause. All you knew was that you weren’t willing to go back.

Your heart completely shattered, its pieces broken, the one that were already mended, destroyed. You loved the home you built yourself, you loved the people you’ve worked with and come to know. They had became your friends welcoming you into their families. This planet was your home. For it to be stripped from you angered you, it upset you. The life you’ve always wanted was taken away from you. You’d assumed it was because of your selfishness of leaving those in need was the cause of this moment. You blamed yourself but you didn’t have the time to cry. Your feet moved before your mind did, slugging the bag over your shoulder you didn’t have the time to take a glance around to say goodbye. You were already out of the door, running towards your speeder getting ready to throw your bag back into only to stop in your tracks.

Your were stuck halfway between your door and speeder, Anakin blocking your path. The dirt and gravel shifting underneath your boots. Your legs threaten to break out into another run, Anakin tilts his head slightly. He was ready for the chase, and he’d do anything to stop, you both knew that much. Neither one of you chose to speak opting for silence your eyes locked onto one another. Anakin’s jaw tense and set, his brows knitted together. He knows what he should feel what he did feel, shock, happiness, relief, comfort, but it all vanished when you decided to run, again. Now he only felt hurt and anger, confusion, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t get the answers he deserves.

You knew Anakin wasn’t going to let you leave, with his body in the way, of your speeder, trying to match him in combat seemed like a good idea…Only you knew how dangerous it could get, how his emotions controlled his every step, his every action-not the Jedi way. You were no Jedi. Anakin lifted his chin up, as if to dare you to make the move. A challenge, one he used to do when the two of you sparred as Padawans. The twinkle behind his eyes, even in his seriousness, a playfulness dances there. A familiar game with a familiar ending. You were smart enough to know to leave as much space as possible. Anakin fought the urge to smirk, he had you exactly where he wanted, and he knew you knew that. Time ceased to exist, the two of you knowing each other like the back of your hands.

Your chest heaving as you threw your bag down onto the ground. Fine. He wasn’t going down without a fight neither were you. You sure as hell weren’t going to make this arrest very easy for him either. You quickly side stepped to the opposite side of your bag as if you were going to run. The faux step caused Anakin to stumble as he lunged for you. You dodged to the side running to grab your bag heading for your speeder. Anakin lifts his hand force pushing to the side away from your speeder and into the grass for a soft landing. You groaned in frustration. Anakin’s heavy boots charging for you. You push yourself up barely the ground sticking your leg sweeping his out from under him. It almost made you giggle how well you could still trick him. Only in this situation it wasn’t as humorous.

Anakin was quick to recover you barely noticing as his arms looped around your body. His faced tucked into the crook of your neck, one arm securely across your chest gripping your shoulders with one hand tucked to your chin. The other tightly wrapped around your midsection securing your other arm in place. Your body almost immediately melting into his hold, tears forming at the brims of your eyes. The comfort of him overwhelming you, a move he used to use on you to disarm you. You were always prepared for it but this time-it was difficult. A straggled scream into groan hiss out of your clenched teeth.

“Y/N?” He whispers, his lips gently brushing against your skin, goosebumps rise as his breath caresses it.

You shook your head “No..” the tears threatening to spill, both of your chests rising and falling heavily. All this running, it was exhausting, and the pain that course through you both. Somehow the force connected you both, the way you formed together, molded each other as if you were made-No-you couldn’t think this way-You stepped on his foot, forcing him to release some of his hold, you slipped your wrist out of his hold on your midsection, you twisted sideways placing your hand on his abdomin force pushing him away from you. Anakin flew back landing back into the ground. Your feet running you in the direction of the speeder.

From the time you got to the speeder, and by the time Anakin and caught up to you, he yells loud enough to have you stop in your tracks. “DONT YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING INTO THAT SPEEDER!”

“Or what? Huh? You plan on having Obi Wan and his padawan come after me? Have the clone take me out with stun gun? I WONT GO BACK!” You argued turning on your heel, you could see the fury that burned with him as his heavy boot marched towards you.

“You left the temple all on your own! Why?” He asks no trace of malice, only anger and pain.. Deep down Anakin knew why he asked you this question, one of which he needed to know why you’d left him there alone on Naboo, to return to the trials without you by his side. Two why had you chosen to run at the sight of his presence? What had he done to make you hate him so much?

Fear etched its way through your veins, was this all part of his plan? To get you to confess all your sins, the reason you believed were more than enough to vanish from the jedis teachings. Was this his ploy to have you weak and broken to take you back to the Jedi temple, to have you stand trial exposed and then imprisoned, or be exiled, to waste away alone.. “I won’t play into your games, Anakin. There’s nothing to say!” You retorted, your own eyebrows scrunching together in anger, though a sorrow hides in the depths of your eyes.

“The Jedi was once your home, your people! Obi Wan and I were your family! You abandoned them, you abandoned us, you adandoned me!” You could see his hurt behind his eyes, the way they threatened to tear. You could see how much your absence has affected him, tormented him. It was never your intention but even now you vowed to keep him at arms length even if that meant the ones you called family take you back to prison you escaped from.

“It was once my home..I did care for all of you-some more than others..but I was never a Jedi.” Your voice carried as it shifted from loud to a softened tone. Hidden within a meaning that Anakin recognized. To feel displaced in your own home, in your own way of living was exhausting, for some they find a peace within.

“We talked for hours about what our lives would look like. The ways of the force, the Jedi the knights we wished to become, the masters we were encouraged to embody! We were supposed to do this together!” You'd known that the Jedi was never going to be more than what it was. Anakin still had hope, how that it would change, hope that he’d gain all the knowledge and power in the galaxy.

“It was nothing but false pretenses, false dreams that weren’t meant to come true, Anakin” The way you had said his name, made his heart lurch forward. Even with all this anger the need for you to say it again at an all time high. You had managed to convince yourself of the insignificance of the dreams you’ve shared, shattering them to pieces. To him it meant that all of it meant nothing to you, that you couldn’t care in the way he once believed you did. Even that felt wrong.

“The Jedi are nothing like the Sith. How could you compare them? You and I both know what the Jedi truly are”

“The truth is that neither Jedi or Sith are correct in their teachings. Their minds vexed by their own ignorance.”

“Is that why you ran?” He questions, he’d noticed a small connection in your words, a slow realization of what it was you were implying. Anakin needed confirmation, something tangible, but even then he wasn’t sure if he truly understood the situation.

“It’s none of your business why I ran” Your heart thrummed in a pace that felt as if it might fly out of your chest and land right into the palms of his hands. You refused to allow him any information, if he’d chosen to take you in to custody, even then you wouldn’t give up your pain, your emotions, that was the Jedi trained in you. To restraint to prevent to protect the parts of you the galaxy wasn’t allowed to see.

“As a Jedi Knight, I have every right to ask you this question. You will answer it” He demanded.

“You have no power over me. I am not yours to order around. I will do no such thing.”

“You will tell me”

“No”

“What has you so afraid that you can’t even explain yourself?” You hadn’t noticed the way he shifted closer to you, the way his scent filled your nose amongst the fresh breeze. It was intoxicating your senses. You shook your head trying to clear him from your over crowded thoughts, regaining your control you were beginning to loose. As out of practice as you were in controlling your emotions you knew Anakin could sense what you were feeling. The fighting was beginning to take its toll.

“I am not afraid” You say through gritted teeth.

“Then tell me why you’d left me.” His voice softens, the aggression leaving him completely, the two of you beginning to wear down from the tension, all time high of emotions that rampaged through you both.

“I can’t” Your eyes flicker between his. You fought the tears that risked falling. Your teeth remain gritted as your jaw sets. You could feel the exhaustion building within yourself. You were tired from all of this pain and torment. You had tried to make yourself look cruel, evil, an enemy that belonged in a prison. That the Jedi wasn’t your home but you weren’t good enough for the Sith either. You made yourself look like a runner with a need to work for hire. A possible bounty hunter if you truly wanted. You hadn’t, you’d become a mechanic who helped anyone that came through the station good or bad. Jedi life was never truly meant for you. Your emotions are always running at an all time high, the natural way of life which you craved, it made you vulnerable…The Jedi could’ve prosecuted you for it.

That was only part of the reason, Padme was only a trigger for you. She was everything you wanted to be and more. To do as she pleases, to live as free and unrestricted as possible. The ability she had to help those in need while remaining true to herself and her cause. She’s able to keep her head on her shoulders while rule with logic and emotion. All the things you wished you could’ve done or still do. You supposed that’s why Anakin loved Padme. She was everything he wanted to be and more. She could give him things that you couldn’t, not then and certainly not now. Anakin could sense the war within yourself, the push and pull within the force evident and clear. With that came the barrier you built around yourself, he knew you all too well. You’d kept your secrets hidden, but your force signature called to his begging and pleading for help.

Two single tears roll down your cheeks staining them along the way. Anakin had half a mind to reach out and swipe them away. Your suffering was more than what he’d imagined. Your brows scrunched together again in anger as you aggressively wiped the tears from your cheeks. You crossed your arms, your body tense and tight, it practically locked itself in place. Anakin had come close enough to you that if he truly wanted he could grasp your hand and pull you into him. The two of you lost in the moment. “Tell me,” He whispers, pleading for an answer.

“ If you’re not here to take me back to the temple then leave” You jutted your chin towards the road.

“I won’t leave you again, Y/N not this time.” he whispers to you, the sound of your name brings you back in time. All of your old memories collide into one another. He calls back to you, to who you were, who you both were. He calls into the force for guidance as its presence builds upon it. You are reminded of your friendship you’d built together. The love, the warmth, the comfort, the support, all of it. His hand extends outward grasping into your hand that had wiped away your tears. He hadn’t hesitated, he hadn’t given himself the opportunity. There it was again, the emotions that plagued you came crawling back. His skin gilded against yours, the slightly tug, bringing you as close as possible to him. The tears flowed without warning, you shook your head, eyes cast downwards, as you attempted to pull yourself out of his grasp. His touch burned in a way that your heart craved. Everything about your internal body betrayed you, even your thoughts became clouded.

“You’re wrong…I-I saw you with Padme” You whispered, your gaze flickering up to meet his. In your clouded state of mind you knew the truth. He would leave you again and you would be in the same position you are now.

“ What?”

“You both looked so in love.” You shrugged, your body losing all its energy. Your lashes flutter with wetness by the tears you’d shed.

“ How did you-” His expression turned to confusion. He’d checked the hall that night. Taking every precaution there was to make sure that their evening had been left uninterrupted…It seems that part of the plan went accordingly but what he hadn’t considered was you. The possibility of you catching him in the act..

“It was an accident, really I mean, to think that I could’ve been able to escape my own torment even while on duty-” You shook your head, a painful laugh escaped your lips. “-I was doing my usual routine check and yet, I found myself torn between becoming the jedi I was meant to be, or to be in love with someone I couldn’t have… In the galaxy we live in, the decision had been made for me…I realized I couldn’t be in love and be a Jedi. I would’ve broken one rule out of the order. To risk expulsion or prison, a lifetime sentence alone locked in a cell or trapped on a deserted planet seemed extreme…so I left.”

Anakin found it hard to believe that you had found someone to love let alone a Jedi at that. A part of him was angry, that’s you had chosen someone else, though another part of him understood. With Padme he’d learned what puppy love meant, but from the looks of it, the love you’d experienced was far greater than his. He knew as time went on, as your disappearance loomed over him, he’d learned that his love wasn’t as strong as it should’ve been.. Love no matter how big or small it was blinding. “Who was it?”

“Who was what?” You sniffled your tears slowing down, your hands vigorously wiping at your eyes.

“Who were you in love with?”

“Maker,” You groaned, you took a breath “-It doesn’t matter because he doesn’t love me.” You shrug, offering him a sorrowful, empty smile.

“How do you know?”

You looked at him ridiculously, had the conversation blown past his head? “Anakin, I said he’s with someone else” You clarified.

“I know about that but I still don’t understand-”His eyebrows scrunch as his gaze fixes on the floor, a hand slightly dismissing what you already stated. Only then did he stop in his tracks, it clicked. You��d said the man you loved was with someone else, he had been with someone else…His eyes flickered up to yours, he released the hold on his brows as they shot up in surprise. “You-You love me?” He asks you in disbelief, but only a pain filled smile creases into your features. You give a smile and a simple shrug. A variation of the words you were looking for hits you as your tears return. This time Anakin was quick to catch each one, his feet practically knocking into yours, his hands lifting to cup your cheeks, his thumb swiping at the skin.

His heart and nearly ripped apart at the mere thought of you watching him fall for Padme. How you’d caught him in the act, while you were fighting against the entire galaxy and yourself, alone. You hadn’t come to him, for the same reasons that he couldn’t go to you..Yet Anakin made the exception with Padme, had his attraction not been as strong to her, he might’ve noticed that his best friend was suffering..The truth was even after you’d left Anakin’s love for Padme dwindled to nothing. It wasn’t enough, it was never enough. You were the one who he sought out, the force connected the both of you in ways he couldn’t describe. All he knew was that you were his home no matter where he was.

Anakin had been blinded by the Angel he’d seen on Tatooine forgetting his best friend’s existence. You were there for as long as Anakin could remember. You gave him advice, you went along with his stupid yet ridiculously complicated plans that always seemed to work out in the end. You faced obstacles together, you were his support, and all that time you had fallen in love with him. He had become so infatuated with the thought of an older woman, distracting himself from the possibilities of being with you. He failed to realize that you, yourself were the guardian Angel sent to him not Padme. He was blinded by his own ambitions to see it.

“I do, I just-can’t let you take the blame for my fall-” You choked out. You could see the thoughts forming beneath his gaze. You saw how he over analyzed, going over every moment, every second trying to understand where he went wrong. Then again you were there to ease his mind, to sooth his pain as you’d always done. How could he have been so caught up in a distraction. He’d taken you for granted and he hated that he had. It took him all these years to finally figure out that the deep love you held was something he’d been dying to reciprocate. He’d lost touch with his home, with his reality. He’d realized that the force had connected you both, always drawing you both into one another. The two of you share a magnetic pull, like two puzzle pieces fitting together.

He shakes his head, “There’s nothing to blame, you were always meant to be mine. Your heart called to me every moment of every day. There wasn’t a moment where my thoughts weren’t of you. I missed you so much, I was a fool to leave you to your own thoughts. I should’ve been with you, the force is what brought you back to me. The trust that I would've seen you again-it always brings me back to you.” His eyes flicker between yours as he lowers his forehead touching yours. His eyes fluttering shut, his hands still cupping your cheeks. The warmth of your skin against his flesh, it drove him insane. The electricity that followed between the two of you was undeniable. The force too pulled within you both, he could resist the urge-

His lips crash down onto yours lips, you hesitated for a mere second or too, realizing that his lips were in fact touching yours. Anakin nudges your head as he kisses you, his tongue already dancing with yours. Somewhere in between one of his hands slipped from your face, wrapping around your waist pulling you impossibly closer. You don’t remember reaching up latching your hands onto his clothes, all you knew was how hard you were gripping them. The air in your chest had nearly dissipated, your chest tightening, your body needing air. Anakin growled as he felt you slipping away from him, fuck air, he didn’t need it, all he wanted was you.

“ Wait- wait” You say breathlessly. Your mind wandered to Padme and how wrong this situation is. To think that he might still be with her right now. If anything was to happen because of this you’d feel even more guilty than you already do. You shook your head moving to keep him at arm's length. You needed to put distance between you both. “Padme-We can’t, she’ll be devastated to find out about this. Oh maker and if the Jedi find out-“ your eyes squeezed shut your nose scrunching in discomfort at the thought.

“Padme has nothing to do with this, I left her the moment I realized that I knew you were the one I loved. I won’t risk losing you again, I can’t so much as breathe when you’re not near. I’m in agony when I’m without you and when I’m with you I can finally breathe-The Jedi, they have no control over who I love. It is forbidden, yes, but the compassion that comes with love is essential to one’s life. You’re the one I want, Y/N” He smiles at you, sweet and genuine, a hint of his boyish charm shines through. How could you resist such a devotion of love? You couldn’t deny that you both wanted each other, craved each other. With the guidance of the force you two were finally brought together as if this was all made just for you both.

“Ani, this is life or death- secret this big could destroy you-” You started.

“-I know what I want.” He takes a step forward gripping your jumpsuit, pulling you back in by the waist.

“You know they’ll check the logs on your fighter to see where you’ve been-” You shook your head, you placed your hands on his chest attempting to put a barrier between you both. Though your arms weaken, your body already itching to succumb to his warmth. The force and the galaxy hummed with joy, it echoed through you even as you argued and deflected, trying to stop what was meant to happen.

Anakin would never allow that, not when you’re here, in his arms, alive, breathing, your skin touching his. What more could he ask for, the Galaxy could wait for him, as the war would always be there. With you he wasn’t guaranteed the time he wished for, the time he needed. He’d have to relearn you all over again, and that was all he could dream of.“Y/N, you’re not changing my mind.” His hand caresses your cheek, you instinctively lean into his touch. Anakin hums, his smile remains, as your eyes finally flutter shut. He pulls your head towards his, his lips pressing softly against your forehead. So inviting, so calming, the tension melting away.

“I might” You huffed.

“Never”Anakin chuckled his hand around your waist stroking your hip. You could feel how relaxed he’d become. He held you in a tight embrace, one where you could feel that he wasn’t ready to let go. One where you’re sure you weren’t ready to let go either. You sighed involuntarily, Anakin’s heart jumped at the sound. Your eyes flutter open upon the sound of your own sighed, your own heart pounding.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, as you lifted your head back, your eyes lifting to meet his.

“Nothing, but um we should probably get back to the port. I’m sure Obi Wan and his padawan are looking for you.” You peel yourself out of his arms only for his hand to grasp onto yours pulling you in for another kiss. His nose bumps yours just as he takes your lips into his. So tender and yet it’s filled with passion, a need, so heated it becomes. You fell just as quickly as you realized how far he wanted to take it. A chuckle vibrates through your chest as you peck his lips once more. “-Mhmm we can’t”

“I’ll have Ahsoka stall him for a while-with a little help from Rex, it’ll keep him occupied” He smirked

You squint your eyes at him “You would have his padawan distract him? And the clone?”

“ Not his padawan, my padawan” his smirk turns into a grin, your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Besides, Rex will be there to help in case things go sideways.”

“ Y-You’re padawan? Since when?” You went to sling your bag over your shoulder, Anakin swiftly taking it from you and placing it on his shoulder instead.

“Since I became a Jedi knight. The council thought it would be a good idea for me to train a padawan. They felt I was fit for the role” The two of you inched toward your front to enter into your home.

“Fit for the role, my ass.” You muttered rolling your eyes playfully.

“Are you questioning my skills as a Master?” He crosses his arms staring at you with an expression that was filled with pride, and with teasing.

“So what if I am?” You questioned, crossing your own arms as you stood near the threshold.

“So you want to pick a fight with me?”

“You couldn’t teach a padawan to save your life-”

“I do hope the two of you have resolved your issues.” Obi Wan's voice echoes from the end of your driveway. No trace of hatred or anger, only a genuine sense of care, happiness. Your heart squeezed at the hope that you were safe again. You felt at ease and comforted, Obi Wan travels across the dirt and gravel, as nears you and Anakin, Ahsoka trailing behind with Rex. Even you could sense the happiness from her, a smile gracing her features.

“You could say that.” Anakin grins sharing a look with you by his side, you couldn’t help but return the grin.

“It's good to see you, Obi Wan” You shift your gaze back to Obi Wan who couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

“It’s good to see you too, Y/N” Obi wan bows his head, his gaze catches dirt and grass smeared from the ground onto both of your clothes. He took note that the two of you shared a few throws to one another. He could remember the many training sessions you both shared, how you sparred, the way you too made it look so easy…Warmth spread through his chest as his gaze fixated on both of you. To see the two of you in the same light, teasing, challenging, loving, two compassionate hearts. He knew what you felt, and how you’d left the order for a price he couldn’t pay. One that he considered doing himself.. Yet he was proud of you for taking that chance, illuminating the path for Anakin to fulfill his destiny, his fate, that had already been written for him. A small silent sacrifice for the sake of the galaxy..whether you realized it or not.

Obi Wan knew the force worked in mysterious ways no matter how many times he practiced meditation. What he did know was the force had a way of working itself out, creating and destroying paths that were meant to cross. How could Obi Wan deny that even in your separation, the two of you were always meant to cross paths? There was a plan written in the stars that he couldn’t compete with, if the path drew Anakin to you, and you were meant to be his light, then Obi Wan wouldn’t question it further. The Jedi council wouldn’t hear a word of this and he intended to keep it that way. There was nothing they needed to know, both of his former padawans happy, alive and healthy, what more could a master ask for?

“Why don’t you guys come inside, sit down and relax. I’m sure your ship won’t be ready for a few hours” You stepped aside and opened up your home. The three wandered inside taking a look around. Anakin was quick to scoop your hand in his as he stood next you, his eyes finding yours the two of you sharing the same look of love and wonder.

A new path, a new challenge forged by the force by destiny by forbidden attachments...

#anakin skywalker x reader #anakin skywalker x you #anakin skywalker x y/n #anakin fluff #anakin skywalker ffanic #anakin x fem reader #anakin x reader #anakin x you #anakin angst #anakin skywalker angst #x poc reader #star wars imagines #star wars x reader #star wars x y/n #x reader #x y/n

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quietplace26 · 1 month ago

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Notes: Since this was requested quite a bit, and I'm feeling up to it, I decided to do a part two of that angst Furina!MC x Zhongli fic of mine. The original post is HERE.

Sorry if its sloppy or too short, but at least it's something. 😥

Also, thanks again to @arn9tails and for @platinumrosetail for helping me think of ideas.

Warnings: OCness, cringe, yandere elements.

Of course, Neuvillette would probably be angry to see that FAKE ex-Hydro usurper before him. Like how dare she show her face before his after everything.

He's so mad that he doesn't even notice her baby bump, or her flinching in utter fear at the sight of him as he stomps over, only to truly notice when she screams for "ZHONGLI!!", and the usurper of GEO, comes rushing over, and tackles Neuvillette away.

Snarls and roars fill the streets as both dragons wrestled on the ground, only for Zhongli to come out as the winner, pinning a still confused and equally angry Hydro Sovereign to the ground.

"Stay away from my mate and child, Hydro Sovereign!"

It's only with those words does the anger that blinded Neuvillette clears, letting him see Furina!MC truly for the first time.

She was huddled away, crying, staring at him in complete, utter terror as she held her belly, protectively hiding her baby bump.

Like she thought he was going to rip her child from her womb.

As Deus Auri stands and rushes over to his crying mate, Neuvillette stays on the ground, staring at the former Hydro Archon in an almost childlike confusion.

From the way she timidly held herself, to the way she spoke, and even to the way she wailed into the Geo Usurper's chest, there was no sign of the bratty, selfish Goddess he was stuck with for 500 years...

Ending 1. Neutral ending.

Neuvillette leaves Furina!MC be in Liyue.

She's not doing anything wrong.

She's just... living. She has a life, a family.

There was no reason for him to stick his nose where it doesn't belong.

Ending 2. Bad ending.

Neuvillette becomes consumed with thoughts about Furina!MC.

Seeing her happy and free in Liyue, smiling a smile that doesn't match any of the haughty, sly ones he recalls in his memories, did things to him.

He watches her, studies her while in Liyue.

And it only makes the obsession grow as he sees a side of her that he's never seen... Or maybe he just never bothered to look deeper.

Gentle, soft-spoken, a love of knitting toys for children, and so much more.

And a happy mother to be as well. He sees how she cradles her bump, humming soft tunes as she rubs the small bump, clearly in love with her child already.

All the while the father of the babe was always by her side, smiling as well.

Deus Auri. Morax. Rex Lapis. The so-called God of Contracts, and most of all, the Geo Usurper.

This disgrace of a dragon was Furina!MC's mate? The father of her child? How disgraceful! And he dared to give her a GEO vision?! How dare he-

Neuvillette's thoughts only go downhill from there as in the last days of his trip to Liyue, he tries to talk to Furina!MC.

It was an awkward, tense filled conversation, but he now had HER view on things... Including Focalors' treatment of her.

And when he asks her to return to Fontaine with him so he could clear her name, she flat out says 'no', and... and asks him to stay away from her from now on.

This turns out to the worse thing to say.

Neuvillette more or less goes down the crazy yandere route, trying every possible way to pry Furina!MC from Liyue's protective hands.

From underhanded to quite frankly downright dangerous ways, Neuvillette couldn't be stopped.

An obsessed dragon is the most dangerous of dragons...

At this point Fontaine and Liyue were at the edge of war.

Still, Furina!MC remains in the safety of Liyue, in Zhongli's arms... Until she wasn't.

Neuvillette manages to snatch her one night, sweeping her back to Fontaine, where he does something horrific.

Ignoring his new and rightful mate's screams, he presses a hand against her now swollen belly, feeling the hatchling moving around inside, and let's his Authority flow.

He couldn't let it remain the spawn of the Geo Usurper. So, he'll just change its element entirely...

Ending 3. Good ending.

Where like the bad ending, Neuvillette still becomes rather obsessed with Furina!MC after meeting her again, however, he takes a different route.

Meaning, he somehow ends up in a contract with an irritated Zhongli, and now the two them share Furina!MC.

Of course, this took a lot of time and effort on Neuvillette's part, as he had to prove himself to Furina!MC.

This also meant him having to sit down with her to talk. No more lies. No sneaky Goddess pulling the strings. Just him and Furina!MC.

And a very grumpy Zhongli who refused to leave Furina!MC alone with the Sovereign.

The talk was awkward and tense... And by the end of it Furina!MC was crying from recounting all she went through.

And the sky cried with her as Neuvillette's emotions grew erratic the more she talked...

If Focalors hadn't died, then he would've-

Mostly after that is spent Neuvillette slowly courting Furina!MC, gaining her trust as Zhongli watched him like a hawk.

And by the time Furina!MC's child was born, it got not one dragon daddy, but two.

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #furina!mc au #furina!mc #zhongli x reader #neuvillette x reader #multiple endings #yandere

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dustmusings · 9 months ago

Text

playing pretend

Rex x F!Reader / Bi!Reader

word count: 4.2k

description: Rex is a good friend of yours, and any good friend would teach you how to flirt, right?

warnings: reader is bisexual, a few suggestive lines of dialogue/sexual innuendo, friends to lovers, that's it I think

a/n: I really went back and forth on whether to make the reader bi or not lmao. I suppose it could get less reads because of it but eh. at the end of the day I write for my own enjoyment, so here it is

You drummed your fingers unrhythmically on the table, watching your ‘target’, so to speak, from across the bar. You pursed your lips, brows drawn together in concentration as your mind worked something up.

“Are you-”

“I’m finding it” You cut off the clone Captain, holding your hand up as you continued watching the woman at the bar.

She was honestly gorgeous, you couldn't have possibly missed her when she walked in. Her hair falling to her jaw and hanging over her forehead and into her eyes, those big blue eyes…

Okay. Maybe you were getting a little ahead of yourself, you didn't even know the woman. But you wanted to know her, and that was enough.

“Nothing is going to happen if you just keep staring, you know” Rex informed you with a teasing grin, and you directed a lazy scowl in his direction.

“I'm aware, just give me a minute” You turned back to watch the woman once more.

She was now on her tiptoes, leaning over the bar a little to talk to the bartender, and you gulped, looking back to Rex. His expression was nothing short of amused, watching you fawn over this mystery woman and not having the guts to go and speak to her.

“You're really not helping right now” You grumbled, and he just grinned back at you, shrugging.

“I know, it's funnier just to watch”

“Some friend you are” You rolled your eyes, but there was no real animosity behind it.

You and Rex had been friends for a number of years, with you working as an engineer in the heart of the Republic. You didn't get to see him very often anymore, especially not with the war stretching the GAR so thin, so you cherished these moments you did get with him. You felt sort of bad, having gone to the bar to catch up with him and now having your eyes glued to someone else.

“I can't understand what the fuss is all about” Rex admitted as he took a swig of his drink.

“What? You must be joking” You laughed, “She's probably the most stunning person I've ever seen”

Rex scrunched his nose a little, a shrug in his shoulders, “Eh, not my type”

You blew out a long breath, shaking your head disapprovingly, “You're missing out then”

“Seems you'll be missing out too” He replied quickly, amusement dancing in his eyes.

You nudged his shoulder a little, “Once again, not helping”

You let your eyes wander back to the woman in question, who was somehow still alone, and now holding a drink. She was stood leaning her back against the bar, her eyes scanning the room as she swirled her drink with the straw provided.

You sighed, but it wasn't a dreamy sigh of admiration, it was shallow and exasperated. Rex frowned a little, the heavy breath audible even over the loud volume of the bar. He bit into his cheek a little before he spoke.

“What's actually stopping you from going over?” He asked, the sincerity in his voice surprising you.

You turned to look at him again, and found the look he was giving you to be all too inviting. You shifted in your seat a little, looking down to your lap and musing on how it was exactly that kind of look, from his eyes specifically, that made you so nervous to go and speak to the woman.

You had always secretly harboured some more-than-friendly feelings for the Captain, and had tried to make that known. After a while of trying, you presumed he was deliberately ignoring your advances in the hopes that you'd stop, so you did. Though it didn't stop the way your heart raced when his amber eyes met yours with such an intensity as they just had.

Truthfully, it was the complicated feelings that you had for the Captain that had shaken your confidence, and you found yourself unable to even try. Especially with him sat right there.

It was particularly odd. In every other aspect of your life, you were reasonably confident, or at least sure of yourself and your abilities. However when it came to the realm of romance, you had no such luck.

You couldn't tell Rex that it was your ridiculous crush on him that made you feel this way, you know he would blame himself and just keep apologising for ever shaking your self-worth. Though, it wasn't his fault, it was you.

You, ever the romantic, that loved far more easily and deeply than apparently anyone else.

“I'm just no good at… flirting, and… all that stuff” You admitted, your voice a little quieter than it had been the moment before.

Rex studied you carefully, his eyes scanning your suddenly nervous demeanour.

“That's bullshit”

Your gaze snapped back to him, your expression almost scandalised, “What?”

“You're so outgoing, there's no way” He argued, but you just shook your head at him.

“It's not just about being outgoing” You countered.

“Then what is it about?” He crossed his arms, leaning forward so that his elbows rested against the table.

You laughed airily, “I'm not sure, why don't you tell me?”

“You want flirting advice from me?” Rex smirked a little, one eyebrow lifted as his eyes bored into you.

“No, I-” You rolled your eyes once again, then came to a stop, “I guess that's not a bad idea actually”

Rex was a little bemused, you could see that much plain as day on his features. He bit into his lip a little, watching you with concentrated eyes for a moment.

“Alright, I'll give it a shot” He conceded, and you gave him a small grin.

“Okay then, where do we begin Master Rex?" You asked with a slight air of teasing.

“Please don't call me that” He huffed, shaking his head, “But I don't know, what's your usual approach?”

You should know. You couldn't stop yourself thinking it.

“Uh…” You thought for a moment. What was your usual approach? “I guess I try a compliment, and then if that lands, I… try and work whatever response they give into some kinda… story, a tidbit, an explanation, that sort of thing. To get talking or whatever”

“Right” Rex frowned for just a second before his expression returned to neutral. You almost thought you'd imagined it. “And that doesn't work?”

You huffed, “Well obviously not, if it hasn't got me anywhere yet”

Rex hummed thoughtfully, giving you an odd sort of look that you really couldn't place.

“What is it?” You asked. You were open enough with him that you could ask freely and you knew he'd give you an honest answer.

“Nothing” He dismissed it.

At least, you thought he'd give you an honest answer.

“Okay, why don't you try flirting with me and we can see where it's going wrong” He suggested, his regular demeanour returning.

You gave him your best disgusted look, “Flirt with you? No thanks”

He just rolled his eyes, “It's just pretend, come on”

“Pretend or not, it's still you” You pointed out, desperately trying to contest the way your body was reacting to the thought of actually flirting with Rex. Or more accurately, Rex flirting with you.

“Oh please, you should be so lucky” He pushed at your side a little, his face pulled into a teasing smile.

Oh, how right he was.

“Come on, humour me” He urged.

You sighed aggressively, giving in, “Fine”

The task was a lot easier said than done. What could you say to Rex that could go under the radar enough that he wouldn't realise you were actually interested in him? Your mind drew a blank.

But those eyes… the ones that drew you in like nothing else, they were just watching you, same as ever. Could you really compliment his eyes? Or would that be too much? Had you complimented his eyes all those moons ago when you had tried to gain his attention? You couldn't remember.

“Say Rex” You gave your best over-the-top voice, accompanying it with a sickly sweet smile, “Did you know, you have the most wonderful brown eyes?”

Rex chuckled at your ridiculousness, “Stop fooling around, come on, do it properly”

“Hey! How do you know that wasn't me doing it properly?” You acted offended, but Rex just gave you a pointed look and you huffed, “Fine, fine”

You knew what Rex was like, always too eager to help, so you put your ego aside for a moment and just gave in to letting him help you do this. You took a deep breath before beginning, mustering up a little courage.

“You know Rex…” You began, your tone regular with an extra hint of wonder, and leaning ever so slightly towards him, “I've never met anyone with eyes quite as beautiful as yours”

It was said in such earnest, almost wistfully, that Rex actually seemed a little startled. He quickly recovered though, and leant in a fraction himself, continuing the simulation.

“That right?” He hummed, looking at you down his nose a little, “You can't have met very many people in your life then”

You frowned, though your lips indicated a small smirk, “Don't sell yourself short Captain, It's true!” You insisted, “They're very captivating. Some might say they were brown, though I might say they were more amber than anything, and-” You leaned in even closer, your eyes narrowing a fraction as they looked into his, “That's right, there's a little bit of gold in there too”

Rex was thoroughly captivated. He wondered how you could say you were bad at flirting when you had him absolutely wrapped around your finger in only two lines. Not only was it your words, but it was everything else too. Everything about you. Your presence enveloping him, your face so close to his, your eyes searching his so deeply, inspecting him in a way that made him feel alive rather than scrutinised. It was enough to make him weak in the knees, so he was thankful for being sat down.

“I think you're just saying that” He spoke lowly, giving you a chance to back down, to take it back.

You shook your head resolutely, your smirk blooming, “I'm not a liar if that's what you're accusing me of”

“I wasn't-” Rex's voice was taken from him at the feel of your hand resting atop his thigh. He had armour on, of course, but had he known you were going to do that, he would have dressed down in civvies this evening. Even the light weight of your hand, the knowledge that it was there, was all that was needed to send his heart into overdrive.

“What was that, Captain?” You teased.

He gave you a look of warning, though it wasn't anywhere near as serious as he was pretending.

“Loth-cat got your tongue?” You purred, your eyes flicking down to his lips and back up again.

Rex was being driven insane. He tried to remind himself that you were just pretending, in a little game that he had suggested, no less, but that was doing little to quell the desire he felt for you.

“You know, if that loth-cat could be so kind as to give it back, I'm sure we could find another use for it” You spoke quietly, your gaze intense as you said the most daring line yet.

Your heart was pounding in your chest, the alcohol in your system having loosened your lips, but your nerves were far from durasteel. You realised how close you had really got to him then, your leg pressed into his as your hand rested on his thigh, your mouth maybe an inch from his.

Rex spoke your name in a low tone. It sounded breathless, but like some sort of warning nonetheless. You maintained your composure as you drew away from him, as if to act like nothing was wrong, like you hadn't crossed a line.

“So, how'd I do?” You asked nonchalantly. You could feel your cheeks burning, so far from feeling calm and relaxed like you tried to appear.

Rex took a moment to come back to himself. He had been so completely lost in the moment, and though he kept trying to remind himself, he had forgotten it was supposedly all to help you learn how to flirt. His heart ached a little at the full realisation of that fact.

“Uh-” Rex cleared his throat, “Yeah, that was good”

“Any pointers?”

“Nope” Rex said, a little too quickly, and looked towards the bar, “You should get going if you want to catch her alone”

You brows drew together in confusion for a second, then you followed his line of sight to the woman, who still stood at the bar. Suddenly the prospect didn't seem as exciting.

“Right, yeah” You struggled to get a smile back onto your face, and you were sure it must've looked more like a grimace. “Wish me luck” You added, slinking out from the booth you both inhabited.

You didn't wait for his reply, you were honestly too mortified by the whole ordeal. Maker, what were you thinking? At least now speaking to this woman wouldn't be the scariest thing you did this evening.

Rex watched you walk up to the woman with the utmost confidence and begin talking to her as if it was the easiest thing in the world. He couldn't help the twist of jealousy in his gut as she seemed to respond to your advances, and the two of you settled into a conversation. Though soon enough, the woman looked towards him and pointed, which made you turn and look at him. He had no idea what was going on, but luckily you trudged back to the table to let him know shortly thereafter.

“She wasn't into girls” You grumbled, slouching back into the booth.

“Ah, I'm sorry about that” Rex said as honestly as he could. He meant it, in certain ways. He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be rejected for that reason, so he did feel for you, but he would be lying to say he was sad that you stopped flirting with someone else.

Rex desperately wanted all of your attention on him again, the way he did just minutes ago. You were almost as close as you had been before, your knee almost touching his, but it wasn't enough.

“Eh, it's fine. She was nice about it at least” You shrugged. “She was pretty interested in you though” You added with a small smirk, looking over at Rex to gauge his reaction.

“Oh” He seemed a little surprised, “Really?”

You nodded, “I think she wanted you to go over”

“Uh…” Rex frowned a little, his eyes flicking towards the woman and back to you, “I'm good. It's like I said, not my type”

“If you say so” You rolled your eyes a little, “What even is your type then?”

Rex gave you a weary look, a small smile blooming, “I'm gonna keep that to myself”

“Why? You have a thing for Wookiees or something?” You teased with a grin.

Then it was Rex's turn to roll his eyes, “I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer”

“I'm going to believe it until you give me a different answer” You crossed your arms, a smirk taunting him.

Rex just watched you for a moment, weighing in his mind how bad it would really be to just come out and confess to the way he truly felt about you. In some ways, even if you didn’t feel the same way, it would feel better to just get it off his chest. Then he could maybe stop thinking about you when it served him well not to. Like in the middle of missions. That was really quite irritating.

He settled on, “I think my type is women who don’t want me”

“Yeah, you and me both” You laughed, and Rex just gave an apologetic look which you ignored, “But something tells me you're lying”

“Lying about what?”

“That women don’t want you” You said as if it was obvious.

Rex gave you a strange look, “It's really that hard to believe?”

“Yeah, I mean-” You hesitated, and you couldn't help but think it would've been less obvious to just say it confidently, “You're a nice guy, and you're good looking, what's not to like, right?”

“I'm good looking?” Rex repeated, one of his eyebrows raised.

“Alright, I said it once, don't make me say it again” You rolled your eyes to brush off the question, “Anyway, who's this girl that doesn't like you back then?”

Rex huffed, looking away from you and tracing his finger around the top of his cup, “No one, you wouldn't know her”

Your heart sunk a little, despite Rex's assertion that this woman didn't return his affections.

“Alright well why are you under the impression that she doesn’t like you?” You asked, leaning forwards onto your elbows.

“Um…” Rex tried to think of a good reason, “I'm not sure, we're good friends so it's kinda tough”

“Well have you ever actually expressed that kind of interest in her?”

Rex cast a glance over at you, “No, not exactly”

You let out a short disbelieving laugh, “Well why not? How can you expect her to know you like her if you don't even show it”

Hearing those words coming straight from your mouth only drove home how stupid he was coming to realise his actions had been.

“I'm not sure, I don’t know what I could say at this point” He shrugged, looking back into his almost empty cup.

You rolled your eyes once more, “You could just tell her you like her”

“It's not that easy” Rex sighed. It was strangely therapeutic to actually talk about it, but it was definitely a little strange to be talking to you about it.

“Why not?”

Rex didn't reply, and you watched him with interest as he chewed on his bottom lip, his finger tracing his cup again. He looked particularly deep in thought.

“Okay well, what could you say then?” You changed your approach.

“I don't know” Rex huffed and looked up at you with some kind of thoughtful expression, “Maybe you could help”

You frowned a little, “But I don't know her…?”

“Right, but…” Rex paused, “If it was you, and someone was trying to show you that they liked you, what would be good to say, or do”

“Um…” You took a moment to look away and think.

Rex took note of the look of concentration on your face and his heart swelled a little, touched that you were taking this so seriously.

“I suppose… Maybe you'd want to get a little more physically intimate with them? you can kinda test the waters that way” You said, “Nothing crazy, just some quick touches, gets them thinking about it you know? If they respond positively to that then maybe try some more lingering touches”

“Ok, got it” He said assuredly, and, following your instructions, reached over and pushed some of your hair off of your face and behind your ear.

He could hear your breath catch in your throat, and fought to keep the smirk from his face. Your eyes widened a little, and he silently took great satisfaction in it. It seemed that you had responded positively to it, which boded well, according to you.

“What then?” Rex asked, keeping his tone light and acting clueless.

“Um, then…” You began slightly nervously, “I suppose you could give them some little compliments every now and then, or observations you make about them, to show you pay attention to the small things”

“You give really good advice, you know that?” Rex asserted, leaning his head into his hand and looking at you intently.

You were absolutely frozen. Was he meaning to do this? Or was it somehow just coincidence that he seemed to be following your instructions.

“Go on” He urged, moving his leg so that his knee rested against yours, “What after that?”

You took a shallow breath, “Maybe you could… try to spend some more time with them just one-on-one, or just try to be around them more. You know, give them your full attention. If you're friends already that shouldn't be too hard”

“Okay, I can do that” Rex said in reply.

He slung his arm over the back of the booth, now facing you and locking you into his gaze. It was electrifying, and the concentrated and adoring look in his eyes was something you could definitely get used to.

“What next?” He reminded you to continue.

“Uh, I- I'm not sure, maybe something will happen in that time” You shrugged, finding it hard to maintain eye contact with him.

Rex hummed thoughtfully, and placed his hand gently on your knee, lightly tracing his thumb over your skin, “What might happen?”

There was no way this was coincidence.

“Whatever you want” You murmured without giving it much prior thought, causing Rex's eyebrows to raise.

“Is that right?” He asked in a low voice, almost asking for confirmation that you understood it was you that he was interested in, that he was getting you to help in winning over yourself.

You nodded, not speaking for fear that it would just be an undignified squeak.

“Well, if that's the case…” He spoke with a smirk.

He then slowly slid his hand up your outer thigh, his eyes still locked with yours, and he pulled you towards him and onto his lap so that you were straddling his legs. Your breath had been stolen from you, and you let your hands rest against Rex’s chest as you looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Is this okay?” He asked quietly, his hands resting on your hips as he made sure.

“More than” You confirmed breathlessly, and his lips quirked into a half-smile, half-smirk.

“Good” He whispered, brushing his nose against yours, “Because I think this is a little overdue”

The feel of his lips against yours far superseded anything you had ever imagined, and it was something that you had thought about a lot. Though now, with it actually happening, your mind was empty, drained of thoughts and letting him take over everything.

His lips captured yours with a passion that had been long held back, and it was clear that he was done being secretive about it. He needed you to know just how long he had wanted this, how much he desired you. His hands held you hips firmly, fighting the urge to pull you into him further as you snaked your hand around his neck and deepened the kiss. You ran your fingernails gently down the back of his neck, and he shivered in response, his grip on you tightening.

When you pulled back, you rested your forehead against his to regain the breath that had been so fervidly taken from you. When you opened your eyes and met his, you both started to laugh. It was almost too good to be true, and equally baffling that it was happening, after being just friends for so many years.

Rex grinned at you, shrugging a shoulder, “Like I said, a bit overdue”

“I'd say more than a bit” You argued with a wide smile.

Rex chuckled, “I mean, I have been waiting years, so yeah. More than a bit”

You rolled your eyes affectionately, pushing his shoulder a little, “Why didn't you say anything?”

“Why didn’t you?” He challenged.

You pursed your lips, “Hm. Touché”

“Doesn't matter now” Rex said in a murmur, and brought his lips to yours once more.

This kiss was much more reserved. Ardent but quick, an evident deep affection being shared. You missed the feeling of it immediately, chasing after his lips when he pulled away.

“Hey now, no need to be so eager” Rex chuckled teasingly.

You gave him a mock frown and a small irritated whine, and he laughed again.

“All in good time Mesh'la” He spoke smoothly, one hand coming to rest against your cheek, “Why don't we get out of here? We could even test out some of those other uses for my tongue”

Your eyes widened, remembering your earlier words, and then a small victorious smirk wound its way onto your face, “I think that sounds like a good idea”

#trex writings #clones #tcw #clone troopers #501st battalion #captain rex x reader #the clone wars #star wars #captain rex #clone captain rex #captain rex x you #rex x reader #clone trooper #clone wars #star wars the clone wars #sw tcw #star wars clone wars #divider by saradika

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hopefulartandwriting · 5 months ago

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Has Terry been manipulated since the very beginning?

I’ve had this theory for a long time now, ever since Terry entered the narrative. He’s an interesting and charming character, but his sudden inclusion in the story was jarring and an usual choice for the elf-hating Claudia. She may have caught genuine feelings, but I suspect Aaravos is the reason she began traveling with him in the first place. Here’s some evidence:

1. Time Skip/Aaravos whispers: After the time skip, we hear a vague explanation of the past two years from Claudia herself. She says that she had to ‘do things she never imagined she’d be able to do.’ The audience doesn’t get told what these things are, but we already know she’s the kind of person that will manipulate a child to find a baby deer, never revealing her plan to kill it and use it in a spell. Just like Aaravos, she does not lie, only omits important facts. She tells Viren that Aaravos is speaking to her, but we don’t know what he has been saying. All we know is that he sent her on a quest. Could it be that Aaravos knew an Earthblood elf like Terry would be the only person who could help them in the future? We know Aaravos is a manipulator, one who would not reveal that Terry is a spell component until the moment of truth. But is Claudia the kind of person who would do such a thing? Maybe she’s a victim too, but she does introduce Terry after saying ‘things couldn’t get any worse.’

2. Hatred of elves: It is no secret that Viren and his family start the narrative with a deep hatred and mistrust towards elves and dragons. Could this hatred be so deep that Claudia would manipulate the feelings of one to such a degree? Even after partnering with Terry, she expressed this hatred when her brother captured her in the uncharted forest. When Soren says he’s friends with elves, Claudia asks if they are really his friends or are they just “taking advantage of him.” Soren looks concerned and confused about this turn of phrase, because in his case, it is simply untrue. Could Claudia be speaking from her own truth, revealing her guilt at taking advantage of Terry?

3. The usefulness of an Earthblood elf:

Earthblood elves have helpful powers, and know how to reach the lair of Rex Igneous (where Claudia found the map). In this same lair, Terry scolds Claudia for her cruelty for the first time, revealing his boundaries. She listens to him, but soon shows she has not relented her cruelty completely. After the mission is over and Viren leaves, a grief-stricken Claudia leaves Terry behind, in an angry way that makes us think she’s going to hurt him. She leaves, only to come back soon after, looking weak and in pain. Claudia realized at some point that she can’t make it through the wilds of Xadia without him, especially if she’s injured. Her subsequent desire to stop dark magic may also reflect her desire to be with Terry in a real way, a way that’s only possible without Aaravos.

4. Viren’s nightmare/Going too far:

In his dark magic induced nightmare, K’ppar spoke to Viren, saying “I always knew you’d go far, but never knew how far you’d go to get there.” The image of a blue flower is significant in this dream, as it mirrors the blue flower the real-life Terry gives Claudia after building the dream-raft. Viren watches the flower wilt and die as Claudia steps further into the river of blood. This imagery reflects Viren’s fear for his daughter, that her desire for power will overcome the great love she has found. He was cold to Terry at first, but developed a warmth and connection to him throughout the journey. The theme of going too far for power permeates the narrative, and eventually Viren finds his limit. His story ends with a horrifying crossroad, where he’s asked to kill the innocent homunculus (and technically his son) to complete his own resurrection, a task he rejects. The task then falls to Claudia, who evidently has a higher threshold for vile things than her father.

5. Terry’s unfinished business:

Finally, I was pretty sure this would be the final moment of this theory, but it didn’t pan out exactly as I expected. After the scene where Aaravos kills the mother bird, Terry realizes he’s been used to read to map. He confronts Claudia about this deception, and then claims “she’s never done that before.” The speechless guilt on her face suggests another lie, that she has done this before. She’s been doing it since the start. The story didn’t end with Terry being used as a spell component, but some unusual choices make the intention of Aaravos unclear. For example, there was no need for Terry to witness the death of the bird, yet Aaravos makes sure he does, and then proceeds to confess more of Claudia’s deception. Maybe he just wants Terry out of the picture, but Claudia’s claim that he left due to ‘unfinished business’ gives me pause. I was certain he was the true key, the bigger feather. In the end he was not used in this way, but I think there is still more to Terry’s story.

What do you think?

#the dragon prince #the dragon prince theory #tdp spoilers #tdp #tdp season 7 #tdp claudia #tdp terry

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bookvvitch · 4 months ago

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♡ Kissed By The Baddest Villain ♡

Link To Masterlist

WC: ~3,000

CW: dirty talk, first time blow job, oral sex, praise kink, male dom, submissive reader, car sex. Proof read but no beta.

Ch 8: If He's Rex Harrison, You're Audrey Hepburn

“A date?” You blink twice in succession, startled by the unexpected suggestion.

You were right in the middle of making yourself a cup of noodles when he had approached you, seemingly out of nowhere, after several minutes of playing Nintendo games in Spinner’s lap. It’s easy to tease Spinner. He hasn’t made a move on you outright, but you know you’ve got him close to his limit.

Or so you thought.

Apparently, all of the attention directed at another man pushed someone else to his limit instead.

Atsuhiro flushes. Perhaps he should have worn his mask for this discussion after all. But since watching you cuddle up into Spinner’s chest, manually wrapping his arms around you, he’s eager to speak with you as soon as humanly possible. Despite the stinging heat of his cheeks, he proceeds, “That’s right. I’d like to take you out tonight. Just the two of us,”

Normally, he would give you more time to not only consider his request, but to prepare for it should you have accepted it. This situation required a bit more haste than that, though. If he didn’t get this plan solidified and underway tonight, someone would, inevitably, try to delay it or have it cancelled entirely. Compress needs to strike while the iron is hot. It’s now or never.

You fidget with the hem of your shirt, capture your lower lip betwixt your teeth. His asking you out was sudden, but not unwanted. That isn’t what’s delaying your response. There’s just something about Compress that makes you a little nervous. Twice did as well before you two had fooled around, but that feeling has since faded, having fallen to the wayside in place of a near-constant sexual tension. When it came to Compress specifically, though, there was something about his authority and confidence that made you feel the tiniest bit weak in the knees, bones gelatinous any time he approaches you. It wasn’t like the false bravado that Dabi tended to carry or that Spinner often attempted to hide behind. Atsuhiro knew what he wanted and then some. And that was intimidating.

Yes, Atsuhiro considered himself to be a confident man. He spoke with purpose. He stood tall. He had experience.

But dammit, you make him so tense and sweaty!

Abandoning your noodles, you tuck a lock of stray hair behind your ear with a meek, “Okay,” and a sweet smile.

He nods, reigning himself in so you don’t see how giddy this has made him.

“Well then, Yumemi,” he straightens his back, “Get dressed and I’ll take you out for a real dinner,”

When you exit, he exhales deeply, smears his face with his hands. He pulled it off. You said yes, you’re going out with him. He has to make this night unforgettable for you.

He’s going to be the first one to take you on a date.

You hand the steaming cup of noodles to Toga as the two of you enter into the den, a grin spreading across your face, and she takes it without question.

“Mimi, you look so happy!” She chirps between sips of hot broth.

“I, uh.. I have to get ready for a date toni—“ you don’t get to finish your sentence before she’s dragging you into her room. The door slams closed behind you. She looks manic.

“With who?!”

“Atsuhiro,”

“Oh my God, no way!” She downs the entire cup of noodles in one impossible gulp before she begins sifting through her clothes, “I can’t believe one of them actually nutted up and asked you out! Okay, lemme see. I have something here somewhere.. Ah-hah!” Toga retrieves a cocktail dress from her closet, the material a sleek, black taffeta.

You cock your head, “Jesus, Toga, this looks expensive,”

She shrugs, “It probably was. But I stole it in case someone grew enough hair on their chest to ask you out. Good thing, huh?”

You hold it up to yourself, admiring how the cut appears to be flattering for your figure. It shows just enough chest to be seductive, just enough leg to say you want him, while still being classy for a nice occasion. She really knows her shit for a teenager.

“Wow, I mean.. Thank you,”

“If you wanna thank me, give me details when you get back,” she smiles until the points of her teeth show, golden eyes crinkling.

You snicker, blushing as you nod your head.

“And one more thing,” a drawer is opened on her nightstand, the quick grab of a bottle serving as proof that she’s had this preplanned for quite some time, “I also took some pheromone perfume!” Without so much as a warning, she dabs it onto your wrists, your neck, spreads it into the back of your hair, “Now he’ll definitely make a move,”

There isn’t much of a smell on your end, so you ask her, “You sure this stuff works?”

“If you can’t smell it, yeah, probably. This one is to attract men,”

You hum, somewhat skeptical, but step into the dress regardless. Worst case scenario is that now you smell like nothing. Not much of a loss considering that this is a stolen dress layered on top of some stolen perfume. Your phone buzzes from the bed.

Atsuhiro: I’m parked out front whenever you’re ready. I’ll be waiting for you, dearest.

“Toga, he has his own car!” You tell her while slipping on a pair of black pumps that she’s procured from under her bed.

“Why do we have to walk when Kurogiri’s busy, then?” She pouts.

You stuff your phone and wallet into a little clutch that’s been handed to you, shrugging, mouth tilted as if to convey confusion.

“Why are you so prepared for this?”

“I took it all in one haul. Now get out of here!”

The shove she gives you isn’t really needed. You’re impossibly excited to be taken on your first ever actual date. You’ve been in a couple relationships before, but nobody had ever taken you out like this, the majority of your relationships being ones of convenience more than anything else. A cold sweat sends ice to shoot down your spine when you traipse out the door, the reality hitting you in one sweeping lurch that you have no clue what you’re doing.

You inhale sharply as Atsuhiro, clad in his ‘in case she says yes’ suit, opens the door of his ivory Rolls-Royce. His hair is slicked back with pomade and he smells of leather and bergamot, his bare hands soft and well-manicured.

Fuck.

This guy is old money.

The scent of you envelopes him, drowns his senses, and he finds himself longing to bite into the tender flesh at the nape of your neck. However, he’s a gentleman. He controls himself as you slide onto the tan, leather seat of his passenger side, lips curled into a playful grin when you look up at him. He closes the door, sits behind the wheel. The smell is stronger when the two of you are confined, a subtle, musky vanilla undertone with something more that hits his nose as primal and vulgar.

“Where are we going?” Your voice travels to his ear like petals on the wind, gauzy moonlight pouring in through the tinted window to emphasize the arch of your lashes.

How is he supposed to get through a meal like this?

“La Vie Est Belle,” he answers cooly, “If you like bread, you’ll love this restaurant. Their baguettes are made in house,”

“Mhm. I love bread,” you thumb the hem of your dress anxiously as you speak.

Your family is fairly well off, but you aren’t what you would consider to be rich. More like comfortably middle class. Mom and Dad have always spoiled the hell out of you, but it’s not like they would take you to some fancy French restaurant on a whim. Especially not anything this fancy. As soon as Atsuhiro ushers you from his vehicle, it’s whisked away by the valet, a suave young man in a white tuxedo and matching shoes. The valet doesn’t speak a word to either of you, simply takes the keys and parts, which has you feeling somewhat strained. It seems wrong not to exchange pleasantries.

Compress indulges in another whiff of your hair as he guides you into the restaurant, his palm cupped on the small of your back. It tingles his toes. Leaves him with a heaviness in his core.

You, on the other hand, are gobsmacked at this place. The exterior resembles that which you would expect of something like an upscale wedding reception hall, the stone steps leading to a heavy, oak door that rests in between a set of pillars on either side of it, which hold up the scaffolded and overhanging roof. Once inside, you’re greeted with vaulted ceilings, walls painted in a deep, navy blue, and crystal chandeliers hanging gracefully above each round, golden-clothed table. A bouquet of irises, blue and white, sit in the center, lit candles circling them. You look around at all of the people here in their affluent attire, the men dressed in velour and fine suits, the women in organza gowns that touch the floor, peep-toe shoes hidden behind the curtains of fabric. One lady appears to have brought with her a tiny, white dog in a bag.

You, the proletariat which you are, do not belong here.

Atsuhiro takes notice of how you shift uncomfortably in your seat, the way you worry your bottom lip between your teeth. Your smile is but a farce, voice feigning placidity. So when the waiter comes, he orders for the table, something safe that most people would enjoy—though you wouldn’t know this. Apparently, Atsuhiro speaks fucking French. You are so out of your depth it’s not even funny.

You mouth the words ‘thank you’ as the waiter scurries off, the tails of his coat fluttering when he turns. Another waiter has stopped in his tracks behind you, your back turned to him as his gaze flickers over your form, much too long for your date’s liking. Compress narrows his eyes at the young man who burns bright pink when he realizes he’s been caught. You’re absolutely stunning tonight. Streamlined and gloss-black as a raven’s feather, the twinkle in your eyes rivaling each and every gem in the room. He doesn’t need the gawking eyes of some college freshman to tell him that. But something roils beneath his skin when he thinks about how many young, spry suitors are taking note of how you’re gorgeous and how you smell like this. Had he really never noticed before?

“Well, I’m sure you’ve guessed this already, but I don’t speak French,” you giggle nervously, “Did you order dessert?”

Two glasses of red wine are sat at the table by a gloved hand, which he swirls to aerate as soon as he receives it.

“I don’t think we should get dessert,” he says dryly.

Your brows tick up, “Why?”

Atsuhiro inhales slowly, deeply, before he takes a small sip of his wine. 1955 was a good year from what he can tell. One would assume such a minuscule drink of alcohol would leave him entirely grounded, however, the way you’re intoxicating him has left him unencumbered.

“Because you smell like sex and I can’t have people thinking such things about you. In fact, I won’t. So I'd like to take you back to my place instead,” the sedulity in his tone has your heart pounding, his sharp eyes and even sharper tongue cutting into your chest which heaves sluggardly beneath your dress.

He wears his years too differently for you to tell his age, but with the way his eyes hang low and steady, fixed onto your own, you feel so young and small. You’re all doe eyes and exposed legs across from him, his decadently oppressive aura weighing atop you, smothering you in a relentless tide. The crossing of his legs is just barely captured in your peripheral, as is the twitch of his hand, the unsteady rhythm of his breaths. It appears as though you’re both struggling to maintain your composure.

With the slightest nudge of your lips, you lean in closer to him, ignoring the clinking of plates as they’re sat on the table when you say, “Maybe I’m not hungry for dinner,”

His stomach tightens, eyes bouncing open, and he’s forced to coax them back to his typical steely affect.

“You really should try to eat something,” his voice takes on a low gravel, “I’ve heard that truffles are an aphrodisiac,”

You’re smiling outright at this point. He wants to finish dinner? That’s fine. You’ll make sure he gets dinner and a show.

His breath hitches when you press your breasts into cleavage, cleverly guised as a reach for your wineglass. Your lips graze the rim, a wispy hum in approval, though your pallet isn’t particularly refined enough to enjoy the red to its full potential. You flick your eyes to him, setting down the glass and then smoothing the bodice of your dress to encourage his eyes to travel there. Totally shameless, you slack your jaw, staunch in your eye contact as he feeds you a forkful from his plate. You rub your foot along his thigh, and he grips the tablecloth. Something behind his eyes shifts, a threatening darkness that leaves every hair on your body standing on end. And he would be lying if he said he wasn’t standing at attention himself.

“My, Yumemi, it looks like you’re having a good time,” he murmurs.

You slink back in your seat so to extend the length of your legs, to ruche the fabric of your dress further up your thigh as you cross one heeled foot over the other, “You could say that,”

Atsuhiro waves over the waiter, eyes shining when he hands the man a stack of bills, telling him to keep whatever was left over. He rises with a poised demeanor, warm hands guiding you up and out the door, heels clicking across the ornate tiles of the restaurant, heart thundering throughout your extremities. You find yourself unintentionally holding your breath as the two of you wait for the valet to return his car, wondering if perhaps you’d crossed a line by the way he avoids eye contact with you. He opens the door for you once more, silent as you sit, as he takes his place at the driver’s seat, your breaths the only things audible in the car.

Perhaps you made too much of a scene in there.

He’s probably a regular at La Belle… whatever. God, even your internal dialogue sounds like you’re a mere pauper. Tonight was as though you’d been isekai’d into some My Fair Lady universe where you’re a transient nobody who’s graciously allowed into the prince’s quarters. You’re normally much more polite than this. Much more buttoned-up in public. Maybe this should’ve been treated as more of a business occasion rather than a sexually charged date. Maybe that’s just what extravagant dining was like.

“Atsuhiro,” saying his name knocks something loose in him, and he pulls into an empty lot, parking calmly and cooly with his eyes still fixed straight ahead.

You say his name again, and he draws in a sharp breath before lunging across the console, cupping your face in his hands as he plants a ferocious and hungry kiss to your lips. His initial plan was to bring you back home, to savor you, to sweep you off of your feet and carry you bridal style past the threshold of his room and onto his bed, to map out each and every beautiful inch of your body until he knows it by heart. He thought he could keep himself tethered to his sanity long enough to make it there. But he is able to withstand this burning, snapping, fizzing want that boils within him no longer. He melts into your touch as your fingers card through his hair, as you’re nibbling at his bottom lip, licking into his mouth, heat pooling between your thighs. He parts from you, gasping, the air electric and sparking wildly.

“I want you,” his voice rakes over your skin, each rasping syllable zipping up your spine.

You’re aching and hot, desire bubbling just beneath the surface, stomach bottoming out when he speaks these words to you.

“I can’t get you out of my head,” his gaze travels your body, and he revels in the way you shiver at his touch, “Can’t stop thinking about the things you do to me,”

“What I do to you?” The phrase is more of a slurred sigh, “God, Atsuhiro, I fucking need you,”

He tosses his head back, jaw clenched, close to feral when he grits, “Be a good girl for me and I’ll give you what you need,"

He nips at your clavicle, and you moan, the sound so cloyingly heady that he finds himself dizzied at the release of your voice. He grunts at the sound, gentle squeezes into his shoulders prompting his own hands to fall at your thighs, your breath skating across his cheek. With another keening groan, he presses you up against the door, the glass cool against your back as he laves the plush of his tongue over the column of your throat, his strong hands palming the fleece of your inner thighs. The scent of you has become too much for him when he’s this close to you, the throbbing tent in his slacks grazing your thigh with each further push to the window. Your fingers grasp at his shirt, curl into the fine material, urging him closer.

“Come on, now. Be a good girl and spread your legs for me,”

With heavy eyes, you nod, wholly subjugated when you tell him, “Yes, sir,”

All you can offer him is a weak little whine as he pulls your soaked panties to the side, his touch careful but firm, the pad of his index finger soon dragging to spread the slick up from your slit to your swollen clit. He smirks when you buck your hips, satisfied by your submission. He admires the rapid rise and fall of your chest beneath him, how your breaths hasten when he rubs the apex of your sex in a tight circle. Another whimper falls from your lips as he delves two digits into the wet heat of your cunt, eliciting a shaky exhale from him, his cock pulsing, precum dotting the front of his pants. Lazy, unhurried circles of his fingertip over your clit tests your patience. This is torture, and he knows it.

But the way that you tilt your brow and dig your nails into the flesh of his chest have him wanting to spoil you.

Your eyes flutter closed when he finally presses his thumb to your clit, cheeks flushed and lips parted to release stuttered gasps from the back of your throat. He pats the side of your leg with his free hand.

“Watch me,” he says, “I want you to see what I’m doing to you,”

He throws your legs over his shoulders, soft, fleeting kisses ghosted over your clit to once more tease you the way you’ve been teasing him all this time. You fix your gaze to him, eye contact unbroken when he flicks his tongue across the puffy little bud, and you tremble, near to falling apart at the sight. His tongue rolls over you, the stifling heat of his mouth sucking you in shortly thereafter.

“Fuck, Atsu—oh, God,” slithers out of you, and a moan rackets up from his chest.

The windows are fogging, condensation beading across the glass, much in the same way which your arousal drips down his palm. You’re so slippery and ready for him, tightening around his fingers with each lap and lave of his tongue. Your toes curl in your shoes, self-restraint now relinquished when you take a handful of his hair. His eyes roll back as you pull, tension tugging at your muscles, staring hazily down at him as he releases your clit with a lewd pop. He’s pretty like this, with his lips all red and swollen, eyes half-lidded and foggy with lust, hair mussed. It doesn’t take long before he’s running the flat of his tongue over your sensitive bundle of nerves. You’re about to come undone, he can tell. Your breaths have become choppy, in ragged intervals, walls fluttering around his digits, until suddenly—fuck, so hot—you’re cumming all over his face. The throbbing of your clit is felt against his tongue, a gush of arousal slickening his hand.

“Ah-aahhh-yes! Fuck, fuck, like that!” The phrase falls from your lips, lilting at the end in such a way that has him about to lose his mind, has him moaning into the pulsing betwixt your legs.

He uses both hands to keep your legs spread, gripping at the meat of your thighs, drawing each and every delicious sound from you that he can manage, that sinfully skilled mouth of his leading to another string of curses to spill incoherently from your throat. When you’re a gasping mess beneath him, thoroughly finished off, he parts from you, something carnal and unbridled within him that longs to bite and cling and breed. But you’re too quick for him to get you into the back of the car, knocking him into his seat so that the breath leaves his lungs. Although somewhat unexpected after you’ve gotten off already, you appear just as feral as him. His icy demeanor falters when you sink into his lap, deft fingers undoing the button of his slacks. A rush of pink warms his cheeks when he sees you licking your lips, grinning up at him, eyes sultry and soft through your lashes.

“You don’t.. have to do that,” he whispers.

“I’ll stop if you want me to,” you release the stiffened length from its confines, “But I really want to do it,”

His cock bobs in front of your face, long and curved and dripping little pearls from the slit. He’s already so hard that it’s painful, the tip of him rosy and flushed.

“I-I don’t.. I’ve never…”

Your brows lift in surprise, “Never?”

Compress shakes his head, “It’s always seemed rude to ask,”

“Good thing I’m offering, then,” you giggle, and it sends a bolt of electricity to skitter through his extremities, “Let me make you feel good,”

The relentless squeezing of your pretty hand around his shaft has him lost in the sensation already. It’s different, somehow, your hand around his cock in place of his own. Not as mind-blowing as he’d heard it is, but still really—

You lick from the base all the way to the tip of him, running your tongue along the sensitive underside of his shaft.

Oh.

Oh, shit. Okay. He gets it now.

You open your mouth, show him your tongue in the same display he’s come to know many times before. It takes only a few seconds for him to realize what you want from him, tension twisting up in his center as he spits onto the surface of your tongue. You’ve barely touched him and you’ve already ruined him. The whimper that snakes from him is damn near shameful, bordering on pathetic, what little composure he was holding on to dead and gone as you pull him into your mouth. A shaky groan, unable to be stifled, huffs out when you hollow your cheeks to suck, his legs jerking each time you swivel your hand around his cock. He can’t help the urge to push further into the enveloping heat of your mouth, quivering underneath you, your tongue dragging across the ridge of his tip.

“F-fuck,” he twitches in your mouth, voice climbing in a way you’ve never heard him before, “oh, fuck me, that feels so good. Nngh, you’re doing so good for me,”

Eyes locked onto his, you hum over him, and he sucks in a sharp breath in response. A pang of brash noises from him accompany the way you reach to play with yourself with your free hand, and you swallow around the tip of his cock, prompting him to fist the leather interior with a tighter grasp. You’re still so sensitive from the previous orgasm that you can feel yourself getting close already, his needy little whines only spurring you on. Another sound chokes out of him, almost sobbing, when you moan around him, mouth nestled all the way to the hilt of him.

“Gonna cum with my cock in your mouth?” He asks with a hungry glint in his eye.

You give a delighted hum in answer, circling your clit with your index finger, taking his dick down your throat with another squeeze of your hand. Lewd, wet sounds, slick and vulgar, combine with your moans. The car smells like you have all night now. Like pheromones, and sex, and sin. It hits his nose like a punch. Your tongue grazes the span of his length, lapping him like you’re trying to devour him whole, greedy swipes of tongue and palm laving over him. Your rhythm has become hungrier, rapacious and wild, eyes slamming shut as you unravel for him once again. He curses to himself, runs a hand through the front of his hair as he watches you work him, feels you moaning against his cock.

“Show me,” he rasps, and you delve your fingers into your sopping pussy, remove them so he can see the release that glistens there.

“Oh my fucking God,” a groan escapes him, and you mirror him with a whimper of your own, tensing your hand around him until he ruts his hips, “I'm about to cum. Such a good girl, taking my cock like this. Doing so good. Feels—nnn, feels—gonna-ah!”

His cock pulses in your mouth, a broken, wrecked cry slinking haphazardly up from his chest as he spills into you, thrusting, gasping, ruined. You swallow all of him, licking up and down his shaft. Parting, you look at him through wet lashes, glossy lips swollen and red. His chest heaves, the taut thread of tension having finally snapped.

“Did you like it?” You ask him between precious chugs of air.

Spent, he wipes the sweat from his brow, taking in your dewy skin and heavy eyes. The windows steam and streak, trapping in the desire which now sinks into the fine leather of his car. He hopes it never leaves. Wants the memory of this night with him as long as possible.

He pulls you into him, crushes you to his chest when he says, “It was amazing. You’re amazing, my dearest one,”

You smile to yourself, your very first date having been a success.

How many details of this does Toga really need?

#fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 #boku no hero academia #mha #league of villains #smut #mr. compress #mr compress x reader #sako atsuhiro #my hero academia #mha smut #mha x reader #x fem!reader

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yuu3585 · 4 months ago

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𝙷𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛 - Ch. One - hidden secret

𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 - Neuvillette, Wriothesley, Zhongli x Cyno

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 - office + omega versus au, features Clorinde, mentioned Furina, Zhongli and Neuvillette

𝚆𝙲 - 1.7k

𝚊𝚘𝟹 - (♥)

𝙰/𝙽 - mdni (17+), character x character, check series link for more info please!, not beta read + writer is dyslexic

----

Keyboards clicked, as whispers rang through Rex. Inc a highly successful company run by Zhongli; his presence was small and never quite there for the employees. It was quiet to say, that he was barely seen outside his office with his chief adviser Neuvillette. The two men seemed odd because every employee of the company rumored that the two were lovers but it just the flick of Zhongli's wrist shut it down was very powerful not just cause he was the company’s CEO but he was also an alpha.

He didn’t take lightly to rumors being spread throughout the company mainly by other alphas and a few betas the company was his which meant they had to follow his rules and they were heavily enforced by Neuvillette and Clorinde. Besides with two alphas keeping the company safe Zhongli never worried much he knew everything was fine and in order just how he liked it… but things can indeed change

Cyno sighed, turning his small deck fan on the building was unironically hot cause of the cold water outside but Cyno loved the cold. It kept his senses awake and it kept his mind off the suffering heat he felt at a young age. He breathes continuing to type away wanting to get these emails done as soon as possible. Cyno may have liked to keep himself busy with work but these emails were the bane of his existence.

Finish one three more pop up, you know there are other people besides him you can email right? This job always kept him on his toes cause he wanted… no had to keep others from knowing what he really was

“Hello Cyno!”

A cheery voice spoke, Cyno knew exactly who this was she always came by to say hi to him whenever she could. He turns catching her stunning blue eyes that gleamed up the offices' bleak lights.

“Good afternoon Navia!” He calmly greeted, Navia smiles, giving him a gentle smile back “You seem busy emails getting to you?” She questions, readjusting her cardigan. Cyno laughs rubbing his eyes as he nobs sitting back in his chair more “Haha, finish one you get three more huh..?” She laughs, causing Cyno to laugh as well “Well I should let you get back to work have a peaceful afternoon Cyno”

She smiles, waving bye before walking away Cyno sighs about to readjust his shirt before someone catches his eye.

“What do you need, Wriothesley..?” He groans, shooting a glare at the alpha a cube over from him… Wriothesley his very annoying and rude coworker to Cyno maybe it’s because of his own personal reasons but this alpha always found a way to piss him off.

Wriothesley stares placing his pen down before shooting a glare back at Cyno “You seem chummy with her…” he says, crossing his arms over his chest; Cyno scoffs before turning back to his computer adjusting his shirt slightly as he answers another email. Wriothesley hums, turning back to his own computer eyes lingering on Cyno for another minute before looking back over to his computer screen; “Weird…” Wriothesley mumbles to himself. He had been Cyno's neighbor for about nine months and even with all that time Wriothesley could never find out why an alpha like Cyno who was friends with a few beta’s in the office wasn’t interested in them.

He was strange, to say the least, he barely talked with anyone besides Navia, and the company’s receptionist Emilie. But why would he be so distant from every alpha and beta in this building? Wriothesley never had any answer and it pissed him off knowing that his desk neighbor was one big ass mystery to him. He sighed; starting to get back to work he had reports to finish and he couldn’t let the mystery of Cyno bug him right now.

Cyno breathes, hitting send on another finished email; he stretches groaning a little as he does. He reaches for his water bottle hands gripping the metal bottle tightly; he was out of water and needed to refill it and grab his lunch from the break room's fridge. Cyno hums, standing up from his chair before scooting it in, he sighs catching Wriothesley staring at him again. Cyno scoffs before walking away from his desk a chill being sent up his spine as he does. He knows all too well that Wriothesley's sharp eyes almost always made him tense up, and he hated it well correction he hated a lot of things about Wriothesley and the other alphas he worked with. All of them… mainly were arrogant assholes who thought so lowly of others…

He groans, gripping his water bottle tightly as he hurries away from Wriothesley’s sharp eyes. The alpha sighs as Cyno leaves. He always did this, running away from almost every alpha who came too close for comfort, but he must indeed have a reason for this no? His chair squeaks as he stands, hand combing through his hair skillfully before quickly walking in the opposite direction as Cyno

Wriothesley wasn’t one who wanted to scare those who seemed harmed in any way possible, and Cyno seemed to be one of those people. Yes, he may have been an asshole to him but… couldn’t a strong alpha like him see he was joking, or was there more going on with him than Wriothesley could even imagine?

It didn’t matter right now Wriothesley had places to be and following a coworker wasn’t something he was too keen on doing at any point in his work or personal life. Wriothesley quickly adjusted his tie before hitting the elevator button, the doors opened quickly enough for him just hit the button but he was pretty surprised to see who was in the elevator

“Clorinde… what a surprise”

Wriothesley starts, meeting the other alphas’ cold ‘dead’ eyes. She waves stepping out of the elevator quickly her shoes echoing against the office floor as she meets Wriothesley’s eyes

“Good afternoon Mr. Wriothesley; heading out for lunch?”

She questions, crossing her arms against her chest. Wriothesley nods a small laugh leaving his lips as the two alphas awkwardly speak to one another, it leans on for a while before Clorinde excuses herself from the conversation Wriothesley waves goodbye before pressing the elevator button again.

He waits

And waits

…

He should have taken the elevator earlier

----

Cyno grumbles bending down to the water jug to quickly refill his water bottle, it takes a moment before it completely refills. He sighs standing back up as he closes the bottle lid; his eyes linger on the bottle for a moment before wiping away the excess water dripping from the sides top. Cyno mumbles lowly before spinning around to get his lunch from the fridge, it takes a moment but he finds it right where he lefted it stuffed before a few of his coworkers’ lunch just to make sure no one would take it on purpose

It had happened many times before, but now he knew that with his clever little hiding spot no one would ever notice it! He smiled shutting the door with his foot a proud smile plastered across his lips

“Haven’t you heard?”

Cyno stopped, eyes catching onto a pair of men whispering amongst each other. He breathes, pressing his back up against the break rooms wall to listen in

“No… spill”

“I’ve heard that Mr. Zhongli has just hired a omega intern”

Cyno breathes shutters as he listens, his grip on his water bottle tightening. For fuck sake could alpha just learn to leave omegas alone? Those two were what in their fourities or so this intern could be fucking 20 and they go after them.

“Oh..? What’s their name?”

“Furina..!”

Cyno mumbles curses under his breath, before stepping out of the break room. Taking a breath as he lessening his on his water bottle

“You should leave that intern alone”

He starts, causing the two alphas to turn to him. They give him a glare, not at all happy with the words that just left his lips. The taller of the two place a hand on Cyno shoulders grabbing it harshly

“You know it best to keep to yourself right?”

The alpha starts, smiling slightly as the other alpha behind him laughs. Cyno scoffed, rolling his eyes making the alpha tighten his grip on Cyno's shoulders. Cyno freezes for a moment before someone else breaks the tension between the two

“Should you all be at you're desk?”

Cyno knew that voice everyone in the office did. Ms. Clorinde, she always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, she makes eye contact with the two alphas then the back of Cyno’s head

“Back to work you three!”

She orders, tapping her foot against the floor impatiently. Cyno sighs a sigh of relief when he’s finally let go, he mumbles a curse out at the alpha before stepping away from the two turning on his heel calmly walking past Ms. Clorinde’s tall and scary form. He smiles slightly at Clorinde as he walks past her, calmly before she herself gives a small smile to him

He hurries away from the three, breath starting to get stuck in his throat, body shaking slightly as his throat starts to clam up, Cyno hurriedly walks to his desk setting his bag and water bottle down. He stays standing for a moment trying desperately to catch his breath and relax his tensed body. It works somewhat, after a moment he takes a seat spinning his chair over to his work bag rummaging through it before grabbing a small pill case

He sighs opening the “Monday” tab taking the three small pink pills from the case, he slips the case back into his bag pushing it under his desk with his foot gently; his eyes glancing over that his lunch bag… he wasn’t really hungry now but he need something in his system to not have him throw up these pills and risk getting found out

Cyno grabs his water, turning to see Wriothesley wasn’t at his desk good he thought he could take these pills in peace; a low grumble leaves his lips as he pops the water bottles lid open with one final sighs he pops the pills in his mouth water following suit

His hands grab his lunch bag, opening it slowly… great he thought nothing looked good anymore to him since he packed it; but rules are rules..! He couldn’t risk anyone know what he really was

…

an omega

M.list | series link

♡ 𝚈𝚞𝚞𝟹𝟻𝟾𝟻 - 2025

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matrixsss · 1 month ago

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Two sides of the same coin

A short lil thing for the precious @geniemillies, this is a thank you for the Amara art you did for me and for just being a wonderful person and I hope you like this! (also hope I got Niamh right)

Summary: Helion sends Amara to the Spring court as an emissary, filling in for Day's emissary that was busy celebrating his own mating bond. Stalling going to the manor, Amara comes upon Niamh.

Amara was busy prolonging her stay in the Day Court before she had to leave for Spring. She was dreading it, for no reason other than the fact she would have to come face to face with her mate. Lucien was and is everything any female in the whole wide world would want in a male and yet the stubborn female kept a wall up between them. A wall so high and sturdy that nothing could break down.

The irony of her situation did not miss her, the usual Day Court emissary, Rex, just had his mating ceremony and was fully enjoying it. Helion had granted him as much time as he needed to satiate the mating bond. Which left Amara to pick up his slack and do the emissary duties, a cruel delegation of work from Helion who could have chosen anyone else for the job. But alas, her high lord was hellbent on caving for the mating bond she had with his son.

It was going to be a highly exhausting day, and she knew that, already tired from just thinking about it all. Amara cursed under her breath as she realized she had finished packing her rucksack, a task she did as slowly as possible. Not slow enough it seemed, she flung it on her back before walking out of her small apartment in the heart of Liakada. The dark-haired female walked slowly to the border between Day and Dawn, dragging her feet, her face scrunched in anger. A usual expression on her face, yet the lines on her face seemed deeper today more than any other day.

Once near the border, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes and promptly winnowing to Spring. Her lungs filled with fresh pollinated air; she could almost taste the flowers blooming all around her. She could have just winnowed to the manor, but she was hellbent on prolonging her inevitable meeting with Lucien, emissary to the Spring court and her mate.

The road to Rosemary manor was long from the edge of the Spring court, more than enough time (hopefully) for her to get herself in check. Amara continued walking in the direction of the manor, having to cut across a village, one that was still busy rebuilding after the war with that male. Fae were bustling across, busy with rebuilding their homes and establishments, but what caught her eye was the sight of a familiar female. A female she knew from Hybern, one that kept her secrets without sharing them with her father.

Her long white hair neatly braided and her red eyes bright, brighter than they were in Hybern. The two females never spoke, their eyes met a couple times, but they never spoke. Such were the rules that Keres beat into her head; never speak to his precious daughter. Amara did not know what the female was told, if she even was told anything about her. Not that it mattered anymore, the king was dead, she made sure of that with her bare hands.

Amara approached Niamh, red eyes met her mismatched eyes and for a long moment they just stared at each other. Neither speaking nor making the first step to speak. That was until Amara broke the silence.

“Didn’t expect to see Hyberns’ princess here.” It was only after she said it that she realized her choice of words was wrong. She did not mean to be condescending to her; in her defense she was on edge. “Sorry.” Amara apologized as soon as she spoke it, hoping to ease Niamh’s hardened gaze.

“I am merely rectifying what has been done to them.” Niamh explained, she stood straight, her gloved hands clasped in front of her. She looked every bit like the regality she was raised to be. Amara knew there was something underneath that statement, a flash of knowledge sparked in her black eye. The female felt a sense of responsibility over what her father had done.

“It was not your crime; you have nothing to rectify.” The darkhaired female sighed taking in the sights of the rebuilding of the village. “Does Tamlin know you are here?” She questioned with a suggestive smirk on her face.

Niamh’s pale cheeks were suddenly dusted with pink as her wide red eyes searched hers, before she regained her composer. “Does his emissary know you are here?” She shot back and Amara couldn’t help the light chuckle that turned into laughter escape her. The whitehaired female soon joined in.

“Probably.” She replied after their laughter had calmed down. The tension back in her body at the upcoming meeting. Dread settling back in her chest.

“You are stalling the inevitable.” Niamh was correct, she was stalling as much as she possibly could. With a deep sigh Amara nodded her head.

“There was no need to call me out on it princess.” She said with a smirk, walking away and waving her hand in the air at Niamh. No point in prolonging it, she walked towards the manor. A thought crossed her mind, Niamh and her were two sides of the same coin it seemed, and the female was not all that bad to be around. High praise coming from her.

dividers by the talented @olenvasynyt

#ljahfkashdfjds I HOPE ITS TO YOUR LIKING #AND I HOPE I GOT THE BABY NIAMH RIGHT #i will hide after posting this klfjskdjf #Amara oc #Niamh oc #ACOTAR OC fanfic

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lazerswordweilder · 4 months ago

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“I still don’t like this.” General Skywalker complained, with a new, young voice.

“It’s creepy how you sound. I thought Rex growing out his hair was the weirdest part!” Commander Tano exclaimed quietly, then quickly looking to me “You don’t look bad- just strange. It’s new.”

“You chose this.” General Kenobi reminded him, though he looked sympathetic

“Rock and a hard place.” General Skywalker muttered, shifting his hands in the bonds. We walked into the courtyard, and he fell behind me, keeping his head up for a second, before he bowed it, slouching a little. He looked just like what I imagine Miss Shaak Ti did as a teenager, if not her expression or posture.

Creatures fought on the ground and heavy smells of spices and people crammed into tightly packed spaces assaulted my senses “Just like home.” General Skywalker muttered, Commander Tano (showing no skin and helmet engineered to make her montails look as much like ears possible) asked

“Tatooine wasn’t like this?”

“You’ve only been to the desert and Hutt palace.” General Skywalker explained

“Why’s your slave telling tales human?” a voice jeered at me, a crowd gathered up behind him. A voice spoke into my mind

“You know your role Rex, you’ve got to play it.” General Skywalker reminded me, head still bowed, body tensed like he was prepared for a hit

“He’s cocky, his old master was soft, he’ll only last a minute under me.” I bragged,

“Really? Going to sell it off fast so the blame for its manners doesn’t lie on you?” one of them asked, the others hitting tables and shoulders, laughing

“Actually, I’m here to see the queen.” I told them

“What makes you worthy?” one asked, another pushed to the front, raising their whip

“And why shouldn’t we beat you, then sell you along with your slave!” another cheered

“You’ll think twice when the queen hears you prevented someone with news about Bruno Denturri!” I threatened.

Suddenly, one of the many floating droids circled in front of me

“Halt! Cease all hostilities! This man is to be escorted to the palace by order of the queen.” it commanded, the first one to yell sneered, then walked off, making a follow gesture. We walked after them.

Soon we arrived at the queens palace, General Kenobi and Commander Tano had split off somewhere along the way.

“Make sure all preparations are complete for this evening.” she paused, playing with one of the exotic looking birds, then looked at me, “And fetch refreshments.

“My queen, I present Liam Hilo.” the first slaver said

“Hm. So you’re the man who claims to be acquainted with Bruno Denturri?” she asked,

“Yes, your highness.” I replied,

“Compliment her.” General Skywalker spoke into my head, I mentally ran through the list of compliments we’d come up with “He didn’t tell me you were beautiful.” I added after a pause, I think I was too long, but the queen looked amused, then angry

“And did Bruno speak of my intense hatred of him?” she snapped “Or did that escape his memory as well?”

“He didn’t need to say anything, your highness. He won’t be speaking anymore, I killed him.” I told her, her eyes widened “As proof, I bring a slave from his palace.” I pulled on General Skywalker chains, I was sure he must be strong enough to not move, but he stumbled forwards.

I pulled off the robes he was wearing, revealing the blue and gold outfit. He turned to glare at me and bared his teeth, body language aggressive

“You impress me, Liam Hilo. He’s quite a prize.” the queen complimented. She walked down and General Skywalker got on his knees, teeth gritted

“And to have defeated Bruno Denturri in combat?” she smiled, showing sharp teeth “Well, you must be quite the warrior.” she complimented while circling General Skywalker, nodding and tsking at various parts of him, like he was an object she was considering buying “The slave is certainly of fine stock. Bruno always knew how to choose a beautiful female, I guess he was skilled with males too.” then she touched him, he grabbed her hand, staring straight into her eye

“Don’t you dare.” he hissed, each word angrier than the last

“Though she’ll have to be processed. Her demeanor leaves much to be desired. What is your price for her?” the queen asked me

“Her beauty is nothing when you’re here.” I told her

“Liam Hilo, I appreciate your boldness.”

“You’re truly magnificent, title, blah blah blah, blah blah, -don’t add those blahs, just keep talking.”

“You’re truly magnificent, your highness, I’ve seen a lot of planets, none compare to you.” I flattered her as best as I could,

“Perhaps there’s a way to put a price on your slave. Come, walk with me.”

15 - Masterpost

#lazerswordweilder writes #star wars #balance sibling au #Anakin #Anakin Skywalker #general Skywalker #Rex #Captain Rex #Rex Star Wars #cw slavery

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knightprincess · 8 months ago

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Magic Medic (Part 2 of 3) - The 104th

Words: 2k Note: This part includes the OC Iseult Devitt.

"Here we go again," commented Comet as he entered the Wolf Pack's barracks on Christophsis. The latest orders came through for all personnel, Clones, Civvi, and Jedi. Along with it came the regular confusion regarding the civvi medics. It was again revolving around their favorite, Iseult Devitt.

"What's up?" called Warthog from across the room. He was lounging across his bunk, his arms resting behind his head. Sinker and Boost attempted to paint something on the durasteel walls, although it was anyone's guess what it was meant to be. Perhaps it was a loth wolf or maybe a crystal fox.

"According to the latest orders, we get Iseult back," began Comet, interrupted by Boost celebrating the news that the sarcastic medic would be among their ranks again. Wolffe would be happy, at least when he wasn't protesting and attempting to argue with her. "But she's also supposed to stay with the 501st too."

"Wasn't she supposed to be on Commando tour for her last rotation?" asked Sinker, dropping the paintbrush and spray paint he'd previously held. "Maybe Wolffe knows. He seems to like stalking her as of late," he added, quickly fleeing behind a durasteel crate upon noticing Wolffe already in the room. He was quietly completing the overdue paperwork at the nearby desk.

"Wolffe doesn't know," replied the Commander, without lifting his head or taking the attention away from the reports and other paperwork he'd neglected for months. "She's as much a mystery to me as she is to everyone else."

"Didn't get far with the stalking, huh?" called Warthog, ignoring the glare Wolffe all but threw at him. "I dare say she's got under the skin of others too. How can she not with that devious charm," added the pilot, chuckling at the thought of others having to deal with the quick wit, sarcasm, and overall loud personality. Iseult was a flirt, a playful one, but a flirt nonetheless.

"Imma comm Jesse, see if he knows what's going on," Comet said, reaching for the communication device he had previously abandoned at the end of his bunk. Hope shimmered in his eyes. The boys of the 501st would know something or at least be able to help solve the seemingly endless mystery.

"Maybe Iseult's a clone like us?" Boost yelled excitedly, hoping he had found an answer to their bugging mystery. After all, they'd all witnessed the sarcastic medic seemingly teleporting, and the Jedi had, too, although they didn't seem overly bothered by it or, if they were, didn't show it.

"That brings up more questions than answers," spoke Wolffe as if to shut the absurd theory down before it took on a life of its own. "Who is she a clone of? Who cloned her? How many are there?" listed the commander, forcing the wolf pack to think over the logic before getting behind the Iseult clone idea.

"Kaminoans, they made all of us after all," replied Warthog as if it was the most obvious thing in the galaxy. "Wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. They've done work for others, too."

"If that were the case, we would have seen Iseult clones wondering Tipoca City as we did as cadets," grumbled Comet, anguished to be the one to shut down the clone theory. "How many Iseults are there anyway?" he asked; he knew there were at least two after the Rex date incident. One had stood either side of him, at least before Rex appeared from his detour, then one disappeared as if she'd not been there in the first place.

"I swear there is more than six," said Sinker confidently. "What, there is. We have our Iseult, the deviously flirt one here with us; the 501st have the angel; the Guard kept being tormented by the one they call the minx; Clone Force 99 have a sarcastic one of their own; the 212th has the nerdy one, and the naughty version has pestered Howzer," he listed as if to add evidence to Boost's earlier claim of clones.

"Don't forget the playful one that keeps winding Gregor up," added Wolffe, chuckling to himself upon remembering Fox's rant about the Iseult minx, how he swore the seemingly ordinary medic just come and went as she pleased. "327th, 41st, and 13th haven't been affected yet," continued the commander, curious if there was truth behind the claim of clones or if it was all an elaborate and well-thought-out prank of some kind.

"Hey, how come they get away scot-free?" questioned Boost, almost offended by the idea the three battalions, in particular, had seemingly escaped the chaos. "Scratch that they don't know what they're missing," he added, quickly changing his tune. The Iseult clones had brought endless mystery, curiosity, and distraction when they needed it most.

"Maybe she's some form of artificial intelligence," mumbled Warthog, hiding beneath his pillow the moment the idea he quickly determined as dumb passed his lips.

"Iseult … a droid?" began Comet, a grin painting on his lips to hear Wolffe bellow out with laughter. The idea was horrendous, but at least it brought their tormented Commander some amusement. "Honestly, that would explain why she crashed into the wall and seemed perplexed by rayshields."

"Doesn't explain why Howzer wasn't knocked senseless when she clobbered him, though," replied Wolffe, recalling witnessing the act. Howzer was drunk and slurring his words, believing he was complimenting Iseult; instead, he'd offended her. She'd quickly told him so by whacking him upside the head before walking away. "First and last time he insulted her."

"And we're only just hearing about it now?" replied Boost, sitting on the crates to the side of the masterpiece he and Sinker had been working on.

"Jesse said their angel has a different name," called Comet, puzzlement painting on his features. "Said there one is called (Y/N)," he added before determining the boys in blue were simply ribbing them again. No doubt, it was revenge for the howling prank some months before.

"Two medics with different names but the same identification number?" started Warthog, looking over to Wolffe as if to confirm that he, too, was baffled by the mistake. "Either there was a massive mistake, there are clones under the same number but different names, or we're missing something," he added, noting when Wolffe didn't seem all that bothered. He was amused, yes, but not bothered as much as one would have thought.

"I'm contacting Iseult," spoke Boost, reaching for his communications device with the hope the medic in question could solve their perplexing mystery. Maybe answer their questions about how she could be in so many places simultaneously.

"She's with the frat boys," growled Wolffe, as if remembering the other troopers who seemed just as attached to Iseult. Three of them never failed to flirt with her when the chance arose. The other always seemed to be in a playful banter war with her. "Set to return to Coruscant just after us unless they rerouted to Kamino or given another assignment," he added with a low grumble.

"At least we know she can be in two places at once," worded Warthog, "Comet said she was with the 501st, and we know from her she was assigned to the havoc lot," he added, managing to stifle his laughter at the thought of their Iseult causing just as much if not more chaos than the combined experimental unit.

"Iseult, my favorite sarcastic medic," began Boost when the attempt at making a holo call connected. Iseult's video feed appeared along with the boys of Clone Force 99, or at least two of them. Tech and Hunter. One twirled a vibroblade, and the other fiddled with a circuit board.

"Boost my favorite lunatic," replied Iseult, a smile on her lips. "Don't tell me one of you boys lost a limb. While I've been away," she added so casually that it was like complimenting someone.

"We were hoping you could help us with your mystery," called Warthog, moving to sit on the bunk below his own. At the same time, both Hunter and Tech appeared to pay a little more attention, as if the Iseult mystery had been a topic that haunted them, too.

"Iseult mystery?" enquired Tech, intrigued by the news of such mystery surrounding their medic.

"They think Iseult is a clone," grumbled Wolffe, his voice more brutal than intended. Despite that, Iseult's laughter came through loud and clear.

"Not heard that one before," admitted the civvi medic, a bright smile upon her lips. "A new favorite me thinks," she added.

"Did float the idea of you being a droid too, but none of our theories make sense," voiced Comet, witnessing as Warthog once again hid beneath the nearest pillow, still embarrassed by the idea. Even if Wolffe once again chuckled at the amusement.

"They're trying to work out how I can be in two places at once," spoke Iseult, cluing the pair of enhanced clones into the mystery and rather imaginative ideas they'd come to answer it. "And your answer is super simple, boys. I use magic."

"Iseult two said the same thing," Comet answered upon hearing the answer. "Jesse said Angel Iseult and Rex were up to something, too," he added as if trying to gauge if there was indeed more to the mystery than met the eye.

"There has been no documented case of civilians using magic to …" began Tech before Iseult wrapped a hand over his mouth, a sweet smile as she did so. At first, Tech seemed startled but didn't appear to protest further, instead glancing over to Hunter as if silently calling for aid.

"Angel Iseult and Rex are working on the final touches of a plan of mass pandemonium," sweetly replied Iseult. However, a mischief glint lit up her eyes, suggesting there was far more than met the eye, and the answer to their seemingly complex mystery was simple and something all thrust far missed.

"Remind me to remind Wolffe to interrogate her when we all get back to Coruscant," said Sinker when the call ended. This time, Wolffe looked around in confusion, not entirely understanding why he needed to interrogate their favorite medic.

"Forget that," started Warthog, suspecting Wolffe knew something they didn't. Perhaps he had other ideas he'd yet to share. After all, when the commander lost his eye, Iseult was the one to patch him back up again. "What do you know about Iseult?" asked the pilot, side-eyeing his commander as if to gauge the reaction he got. "And what she's up to?"

"What she's up to, not a clue," replied Wolffe, admitting his innocence when it come to the pandemonium planned, although he could make an educated guess on where it would take place. Either at the military base or 79, depending on her mood. "As for what I know about her, what's in her file, and a couple of her favorite things," he added as if attempting to hide the relationship that had bloomed between the two of them. She'd succeeded in getting him to ignore rules that prevented him from being like any other being in the galaxy, and she'd helped him find who he was outside of being a soldier.

"We're gonna be invited to the wedding, right?" asked Sinker, ignoring the heated glare expertly thrown his way, at least before the deer caught in headlights look painted on Wolffe's features. "Yeah, you're even less subtle than Iseult," he added with a wide grin.

"Cute though, our medic of magic tamed our commander," added Boost, as if he were a hopeless romantic waiting for his chance at love.

"You watch too many romance films and series on the holonet," replied Wolffe, returning his attention to the reports demanding to be done, at least before they become more of a burden and punishment than they already were.

"We miss her too," started Comet, knowing all the theories and playful banter that revolved around Iseult was their way of filling the gap she left behind when she was not with them. "Tell her that when you see her next," he added, receiving a small, subtle nod from Wolffe in confirmation of the task placed before him.

"Better yet, give her a kiss from us," called Warhog, darting from the bunk he'd been perched on, launching toward the refresher door in the hopes of getting there before Wolffe caught and strangled him.

Part 1 - Part 3 Knight Princess Masterlist

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awkward-tension-art · 1 month ago

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Ruins of a Republic Chp.2 (Rex x Reader)

Chapter 1. Chapter 3.

Padme Amidala

Warnings: Padme's Funeral, Depression, grief, hallucinations, reader is medic/doctor, reader, death, PTSD, trauma, Bail is trying his best, reader is genuinely in an unsafe headspace, Gender-neutral reader, no use of (Y/N), Reader's mental state is getting worse, Reader x Rex, ANGST

Extra: Glitch text added to visually show hallucinations. If there is an accessibility issue, I will DM the full chapter without the glitch text if asked!

You were allowed to see her before the precession. All friends and family did.

It was an honor. To view Padme before she was guided to her eternal rest in her tomb. You had some time alone, to speak to her…to remember the times spent together…

There wasn’t a lot, admittedly. She was your patient by the end of the war. But before that?

Well, there was the time you, her and several others were trapped in Dr.Vindi’s lab. Everyone had been infected with the blue shadow virus and you scrambled to keep them alive until a cure was made outside the lab.

And the time you and her worked on a law to give clone troopers the right to medical privacy. The bill had been shot down anyway, but you spent a good few weeks with her. Lots of caf and late nights in her office.

“Oh Padme…” Your throat was tight, “Did you truly consider me a friend?”

How lonely was she? To look at your brief time together and cherish it?

Perhaps you cherished it too…looking back, her presence was a treasure. Your only regret now was not speaking to her more.

By all the stars in the galaxy, she was beautiful. In mind, body and soul.

Her silky hair was laid around her head like a halo. The brown strands were decorated with white flowers, making her seem like a sleeping angel.

Your eyes roamed over her, desperately looking for any signs of life. As if she’d wake up and stretch her arms above her head. With no hope left, you looked over her body, making sure nothing was out of place.

She was wearing a beautiful blue dress. In her hands was a necklace. Simple, but one you could tell held so much value to her.

“She lo̵o̵ks like a go̶d̸d̷e̴ss.” Fives whispered behind you, “Sh̷e̵ ̸w̵a̷s a beautiful per̸s̷on. Inside a̷n̷d̸ ̷ out.”

“Yea…” You responded softly, “She was, wasn’t she?”

“On̴e̴ ̶o̵f̷ ̵t̶he best.” Hardcase chimed in.

Kix was across from you, on the other side of the casket. His brown eyes roamed over her, inquisitive and unsure.

Your voice was hoarse as you called to him quietly, “Kix?”

You were losing your mind. Speaking to hallucinations…

“She’s…We̸l̸l̷,̷ ̸s̶h̴e’s real…” He mumbled, “Bu̴t̵ ̸h̸e̵r̷ ̵s̸t̴o̴m̸ach…” His hand was over Padme’s baby bump, “I do̴n̷’t think it’s r̶e̷a̵l̷.”

Slowly, carefully, you reached forward to confirm Kix’s suspicions. However, you paused when the door behind you opened. You didn’t bother to look back, it was probably one of Padme’s family members coming to begin the procession. Which means your time with her was over.

The voice wasn’t anyone in her family.

“Padme said you were clever.” Bail spoke, approaching you with his arms behind his back, “What can you tell, Doctor?”

Your medical mind forced itself together enough to answer, “No signs of external wounds.” You responded, looking up at where Kix had previously been standing, “What killed her must have been internal.”

“Yes…” He responded, giving you no more information, “She lost the will to live.”

Broken heart, that's the explanation. Medical cause.

You lowered your hand onto her belly. Carefully, you felt for…something. Proof. Clarity.

Just as Kix suspected…

“Stress Cardiomyopathy, Broken Heart Syndrome.” You concluded, looking at the older man next to you, “After she had given birth. The stress was too much.”

Rex gave you a proud smile, “Good j̵o̷b̸,̴ ̶k̶a̷r’ta.”

Bail didn’t respond, not immediately. He simply kept his eyes on Padme, sadness and grief obvious in his form.

There was a reason he, and possibly others, were hiding her children. Safety. They needed to keep the babies safe.

“As a doctor,” You said, voice barely above a whisper, “It is my duty to keep my patients secrets. Even after they’ve died,” Your eyes were on him, taking in his stance and posture, “I took an oath, one I refuse to break.”

This conversation will never be repeated.

He looked at you now, relief in his gaze. His smile, small and full of so much pain, told you he appreciated your secrecy, “My wife and I will raise the girl, Leia.”

Leia…What a beautiful name….

“Luke is with another family. Safe and loved.”

Luke and Leia…

Two lives that were proof of Padme and Anakins love…

“I understand,” You nodded, pulling your hand away, “Are they healthy?”

He nodded, “Yes…no medical issues.”

“Good…now as far as I am aware, the twins died with her.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Bail responded before checking the time, “we need to go. Join Senator Mothma and Chuchi in the crowd.”

Padme should be alive. With her babies. With Anakin…

You stood, Rex keeping an arm at your lower back. He and Bail guided you out of the room, to find Mon and Riyo. The sky was dark with clouds and after finding them, rain began to drizzle down. It soaked into your black cloak, getting your brace wet.

Your arm stung from the water, but you couldn’t care.

The young woman gave you a candle to hold, “She’s at peace now,” the red-headed senator tried to comfort. Senator Chuchi was next to her, giving you a look of sympathy.

You didn’t respond. Instead, you simply kept the candle in your hands and watched.

Rex had a hand on your shoulder. He was untouched by the rain, and no one else acknowledged his existence.

He’s gone. You had to remind yourself, He’s gone.

Your eyes shifted upward as Padme, followed by her parents, sister, the Naboo queen and the royal guard. Her mother held her head high, while her father looked broken beyond repair. The queen kept her gaze down, and you noticed her makeup was smudged with tears.

Naboo mourned their beloved senator and former queen.

“Udes pirusti, ner burc'ya…” You whispered, “Ni partaylir gar, bid gar cuyir darasuum, Padme Amidala.” The words, Mando’a, you’ve spoken countless times to those you’ve held as they died. You’ve murmured them to yourself thousands of times after battles, repeating the names of lost Clone Troopers.

Now, you speak them for Padme.

“Go̴o̷d̴ ̸p̵r̴o̷n̸u̵nciation.” She replaced Rex next to you. Her dress, her hair and all its flowers, were dry and perfect, “Can ̵y̸o̷u̴ ̴t̸e̵a̷c̶h̶ ̷me?”

“Yes, Padme.” You whispered, too low for anyone to hear.

Bail shifted next to you, and at first you thought he did infact hear you, thinking you insane. Instead you caught him looking past the funeral procession. Like trying to find someone in the crowd. For a split second, you thought you saw a familiar shade of orange.

Ahsoka…?

No.

No, she was dead. With Anakin, Padme, Jesse and…Rex…

Another hallucination.

You were getting worse.

#reader insert #star wars x reader #tcw x reader #captain rex x reader #captain rex x you #star wars #padme amidala #tw: angst #tw: death #bail organa #mon mothma #rex x reader #x reader #gender neutral reader

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moodycowplant · 3 months ago

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127. It’s a Boy! 💙

After receiving yet another round of less-than-ideal news about her pregnancy complications, Conrad decided to team up with Nova in an attempt to talk Lana out of hosting the baby party.

Given her condition, they both believed it was too much for her to handle.

However, Lana made it clear that she wasn’t about to back down. She was determined to go through with it, and nothing they said would change her mind.

Seeing no other option, Conrad and Nova took over the organizational aspects of the event.

If she insisted on having this party, then they would at least ensure she got as much rest as possible.

Lana wasn’t entirely pleased with this arrangement, but it was the only compromise they could all reach.

Even so, she remained heavily involved in the planning process—just over the phone, rather than in person. Every little detail had to match her vision.

The party was held at a small, cozy restaurant in Newcrest, which had been fully booked for the occasion.

The decorations were carefully chosen to align with Lana expectations, and while the guest list wasn’t huge, it consisted of the closest people.

Among them were Jay and Clifford, accompanied by their partners, Rex with Oscar and Ash with Elis, who had gladly accepted the invitation.

“Thanks for coming, mate,” Conrad greeted Ash, shaking his hand while Elis made her way over to Lana with a warm smile.

“The baby has grown so much since I last saw you, Lana. It’s so exciting!” Elis gushed. “May I touch it?”

“Of course, dear,” Lana said with a soft giggle. “The baby kicks like crazy—you might even feel it now.”

Elis carefully placed her hands on Lana’s belly, gasping slightly when a small movement met her touch.

Conversations buzzed around Lana and the baby, with guests eagerly guessing the baby's gender. Laughter and warm chatter filled the room—a welcome change for Lana after months of being stuck at home.

Though she still wasn’t at her best, Nova and Conrad had taken every precaution, keeping a doctor on a speed dial and essential medications close by, just in case.

Clifford had flown in from Mt. Komorebi with Harmony for the occasion, and as soon as he spotted Lana, he made his way toward her.

“How are you holding up, girl?” he asked, pulling her into a firm hug. “Conrad told me about your health—are you sure this party was a good idea?”

“Cliff, I’m so happy to see you! Thank you for coming,” Lana beamed, squeezing him tightly before pulling back just enough to look up at him. “And don’t worry, all good—nothing I can’t handle. Everything’s under control.”

She took his hand, guiding it to her belly. “You wanna feel it?”

“Are you sure? I’ve never…” Clifford hesitated, but Lana cut him off with an amused look.

“Oh, come on, it won’t break, and it certainly won’t bite. Just put your hands here—do you feel it?”

As soon as he felt it, Clifford’s face lit up with surprise. A small but strong kick met his palm, and his eyes widened in delight.

“Oh my God, I felt it!” he exclaimed, quickly placing his hands back, hoping to feel another. “That was amazing! Does the baby do this often?”

“Quite often,” Lana laughed. “This little one makes sure I sleep as little as possible and talk to them all the time.”

“Okay, Cliff, my turn,” Clary said with a playful grin, gently nudging Clifford aside.

She placed her hands on Lana’s belly and her voice turned soft as she spoke.

“Hey there, little one. I’m your auntie Clarissa. I can’t wait to meet you and teach you all the cool stuff. You’re already so strong—I just know we’ll be best friends.”

“You’ll be a great aunt, sis,” Lana chuckled. “He’s gonna love learning all your rebellious tricks.”

“Ah, don’t listen to your mom, kid,” Clary whispered with a playful smirk. “She doesn’t know anything about fun.”

“Yo, Lana, Clar,” a familiar voice came from behind them. Valerio had finally arrived, looking slightly out of breath. “Sorry I’m late—had to deal with some school stuff. Can I?”

He motioned toward Lana’s belly.

“Of course,” Lana said, grinning as he carefully placed his hand on her belly. “You’re the star of the show today, little one,” she murmured to her baby. “Everyone can’t wait to meet you.”

“No kidding,” Valerio agreed, smiling. “The way you kick, I’d bet all my money you’re a boy.”

“Thanks for coming, Val,” Lana said, pulling him into a tight hug. “With everything going on, we haven’t had a chance to catch up. I’ve missed you. How are you?”

“All good, sis. Nothing to worry about,” Valerio said dismissively before adding with a smirk, “You just focus on staying healthy. I need a strong, healthy nephew or niece.”

Lana let out a soft laugh, but her gaze soon drifted across the room, landing on a table where Nova and Scarlet, Conrad’s mother, sat deep in conversation.

Her heart momentarily dropped when she realized she hadn’t even seen when Conrad’s parents arrived.

“Excuse me, Val,” she murmured, patting his arm. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit—I need to handle something.”

Making her way over, she approached with a small, nervous smile.

“Scarlet, hello! I didn’t see you and Phillip arrive. I can see you’ve already met my mother—hope the road was alright?”

Scarlet turned to her with a polite smile, lightly touching her arm.

“Hello, Lana. The journey was just fine, thank you. No need to worry—you have a lot of guests to attend to. Besides, your mother has been a wonderful company.”

Nova shot Lana a reassuring glance before speaking.

“We’re all good here, honey. Scarlet was just telling me about your cross-stitching skills. Apparently, you picked it up while visiting Chestnut Ridge?” She laughed lightly. “You never told me that!”

Hearing this, Lana’s heart settled.

The interaction between their families had been one of her and Conrad’s biggest concerns leading up to the event.

Conrad had been particularly nervous about inviting his parents, wanting to ensure everything remained as calm as possible. And knowing his family, his worry wasn’t without reason.

But, at least for now, things seemed to be going smoothly.

The soft hum of excitement filled the air.

Guests were gathered in clusters, whispering eagerly about the big moment ahead.

Lana and Conrad stood under a beautiful archway, draped in delicate balloons of pink and blue.

Their smiles were wide, yet an undeniable tension lingered in their eyes as they waited for the moment of the big reveal.

"Dear guests, please step closer to the arch, as we are now all prepared and ready for the main event—the grand reveal of the baby’s gender," a cheerful voice announced over the microphone.

The crowd shifted, leaning in with their eyes fixed on the couple who stood under the golden balloon hovering above them, waiting to pop.

The air was thick with anticipation.

Everyone held their breath in silence, watching as Lana and Conrad exchanged a look that said more than words ever could.

Then, together, they reached up and popped the balloon.

It burst with blue ribbons and smoke, revealing the answer to the question everyone had been waiting for: It was a boy👶🏻.

A wave of shock swept through the crowd before cheers filled the room with pure joy.

Lana’s heart fluttered as she looked at Conrad, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

Conrad could hardly contain his excitement.

He shouted, "It’s a boy! I can’t believe it! I’m going to have a son!"

His voice cracked slightly with emotion as he scooped Lana into his arms, lifting her off the ground.

Lana laughed with a tear escaping her eye as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you for the son, I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too, Conrad," Lana replied softly as he gently set her back down.

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of congratulations and laughter.

The guests enjoyed themselves, and Lana and Conrad took a moment to appreciate everything unfolding around them.

Their parents were getting along well, chatting comfortably and sharing smiles. Conrad watched them with a sense of pride and relief.

As the evening came to a close and the guests began to leave, Lana and Conrad found themselves back in their apartment, sitting together on the couch.

The weight of the day was still on their shoulders, but there was a sense of peace and quiet joy between them.

Conrad leaned back, letting out a sigh.

"I can't believe it. A son. I’ve never been so happy in my life."

Lana smiled. "I’m so relieved, Conrad. Not just about the baby, but about our families. They finally met, and it went... so well. No arguments, no tension. Just... understanding, I guess."

Conrad nodded. "I saw them talking and laughing together. It felt like everything I’ve wanted for us... for our son." He reached over and gently squeezed her shoulders. "We’re a family now, Lana. Everything will be okay."

Lana met his eyes. "I’m glad you’re by my side, Conrad. I don’t think I could do this without you."

"You won’t have to," Conrad replied with a smile. "We’re in this together. Always."

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dustmusings · 10 months ago

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technical devotion, part fourteen: changes

a/n okay so I have no restraint, I uploaded the last chapter and then immediately wrote this and am posting it immediately. also I am sorry I cannot write lingering conflict, I have no backbone. also new banner!! bc I'm indecisive. now that you know all my issues, enjoy!

warnings: depiction of a panic attack, smoking

last chapter | next chapter | master list | join the taglist

Echo had expected things to be different when him and Kan got back to base, but he hadn't expected it to be so immediate.

They had barely set one foot inside before they were whisked into command, where Kan was informed that her skillset would prove useful for mission planning, and that she would take on more responsibility from now on, gaining the unofficial rank of Sergeant. She had been honoured, of course, but it felt like something that was very much out if her comfort zone. She wasn't a leader, she was a follower, and that's how she liked it. Though, if Rex had faith in her, she trusted his judgement.

Echo was happy that he'd be working with Kan more regularly now, but so was almost everyone else in the room. He couldn't blame his brothers, she was gorgeous, and almost elusive to most of them, having never spoken to them. He watched on painfully as she reunited with Howzer, jumping into his open arms and hugging him tightly, and as they stayed touching each other, catching up excitedly.

Then he watched her reunite with her other friends from across the mess, Oscar ruffling her hair as he hugged her from the side, and Teddy high-fiving her and embracing her for good measure for beating Howzer to a proper command position.

Echo felt so foolish.

Foolish that he thought he was special because she was kind to him, foolish that he thought he was lucky to get to experience her touch, and foolish for ever even entertaining the idea that she could possibly harbour feelings for him.

Kan was kind, but she gave out her kindness to everyone without exception. That's what made it so hard for Echo to feel negatively about her - it wasn't her fault, it was his. His mistake.

And now it was too late to do anything about it.

He had fallen for her. Hard. And now he would have to carry on as if she was any other person at the base. He didn't know if he could, and so, reluctantly, he tried to distance himself from her.

Kan noticed immediately when Echo started pulling away. For one, whenever he had to address her in the command centre, he would call her ‘Kan’. She didn't mind of course, it was her name after all, but she had got used to him calling her ‘M'aira’, and she much preferred when he called her that. He was the only one who did, and that's what made it special.

He also never came to see her in her office, never said a word if she ever sat with Rex and Gregor at meal times, never spoke to her before bed, and she hadn't looked into his eyes since the day they got back. It hurt her a lot, and the only logical conclusion she could draw was that he was embarrassed of her. Embarrassed to call her M'aira, embarrassed to talk to her, and embarrassed to even look at her.

She didn't know why he felt that way, but it was obvious that whatever bond they had created during their time away from base was just a one sided thing. That it hadn't meant anything to Echo.

Between that and her new command position, Kan was extremely stressed out.

Her brain was going at a klick a minute, unable to shut off from either mission plans or Echo. She couldn't focus, and the only respite she got was sleep but that would elude her because the cause of half her problems was sleeping right next to her. She had begun sleeping in her office again, though her back certainly wasn't happy about it.

Teddy was a perceptive clone, and he could see how haggard she had become. He contantly asked how she was, but she would always just say she was tired, that was it. She had none of the usual spring in her step, and after a couple weeks of it not going away, and only getting worse, he finally did something.

He dragged her outside after dinner, with the aim of getting her to relax. He took her over to the edge of the platform, and they sat down, looking out on the view of the deep reds and browns of the rocky terrain that surrounded the base.

“Here” He offered her his cigarra after he'd taken a drag, “To help you relax”

“No thanks” She said simply, accompanied by a weak smile.

“Kan…” Teddy began. He didn't really know what to say, but he tried his best, “What's going on with you? And I want a real answer this time”

Kan looked up at him sadly, her eyes glistening, before looking out to the view again. “I don't know, everything is just too much at the moment” She took the cigarra from his hand and took a long drag before passing it back.

Teddy watched on in worry, “What is? It might help to get it off your mind”

Kan sighed deeply, exhaling the smoke, “It sounds so ridiculous when I say it out loud though”

“I'm sure it doesn't, come on” Teddy urged, and he could see her cracking, beginning to open up.

“Well… for one, being a Sergeant is absolutely no fun” She said pointedly, and Teddy chuckled.

“Why not?”

“It's so much responsibility, I can't stop thinking about how my actions affect everyone here, how I could be the reason for someone being killed or captured by the Empire” She explained, her shoulders slumping with each word.

“Have you talked to Rex about it?” Teddy asked.

“No” Kan laughed, “I couldn't, he's such a natural, he wouldn't understand”

Teddy shook his head, “Just because he's a natural doesn't mean he lacks empathy. I'm sure he'd be able to help ease your worries”

“Maybe about that” Kan mumbled, loud enough for Teddy to hear it.

“What else is going on then?” He asked, taking another drag.

Kan looked out at the view despondently, slumped forwards onto her knees. He gave her the time to answer the question on her own time, which took longer than he was hoping.

“It's Echo” She finally whispered.

“Echo? What about him?” Teddy hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary with him.

“It's- We-” Kan sighed aggressively, “We were getting on so well during our mission, but when we came back, it's like he hated me or something. He never talks to me unless it's regarding a mission but even then it's more talking around me to other people, and he never looks at me anymore, I just-” She stopped herself before she could get choked up.

“You just what?” Teddy pressed.

Kan chewed on her lip, “I really thought he might like me back, you know?” She said quietly, and Teddy understood immediately.

He placed his arm around her shoulders and hugged her into his side. “I know, I know” He spoke soothingly, rubbing her arm.

Kan rested her head on Teddy's shoulder, “It's just embarrassing, to be wrong”

“Yeah, but hey, that's on him. If he doesn't like you, he's a di'kut”

Kan looked up and saw the small grin on Teddy's face, and her own lips curled up, “Yeah?”

“Absolutely, you're a catch” Teddy said, earning a small giggle from Kan.

“Thanks Teddy, so are you”

“I know” He smirked, resting his head against hers as they looked out again.

“Thanks for bringing me here, I really needed this” Kan spoke sincerely.

“No problem K” Teddy squeezed her slightly before standing up, “Let's go inside yeah?”

Kan didn't respond immediately, looking over the setting sun, “I think I'll just stay here for another moment, watch the sun set”

“Alright, I'll see you later then” Teddy said, giving her shoulder a supportive squeeze before walking away.

When she knew Teddy had left, Kan finally let herself cry.

She let out a choked sob, the product of bottling up her frustration, anger, sadness and embarrassment for weeks. Now that she had popped the cork, she couldn't stop the flow of tears that fell from her eyes. She pulled her knees to her chest and buried her head in them, her vision blurred and her breath ragged.

She thought of her mother and father. She wondered if they would be proud of the work she was doing. She thought of Master Unduli, she thought of Spider, she thought of Senator Organa, she thought of Rex, Howzer, Gregor, Oscar, Teddy, and finally, Echo. Every insecure thought, every nasty thing she ever had to say about herself clogged her mind in an instant, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe.

She let her legs hang over the side of the platform again and gripped the edges tightly. Her eyes were screwed shut and her breathing was only becoming more unstable, no matter how much she tried to calm it. Her stomach was in knots, she was choking on the tears that wouldn't stop falling, and her body was shaking involuntarily. She knew what this was, she had experienced them enough, and she just hoped that if she could grip the platform hard enough that it would subside quicker. She had no such luck.

She heard her name shouted, but to her it sounded feint, like she was underwater. She curled up again, facing away from the voice. She heard them again, and felt someone touch her back gently, though they might as well have struck her with lightning for how she reacted.

She flinched away, trying to find her voice, managing to choke out “Go away”

Her own voice sounded foreign to her ears in this altered state of being, but she couldn't think about it for too much longer before she was enveloped by a pair of arms. She rested her forehead on the person's chest, heaving and trying to calm herself. As she came down from the worst of it, something about the person felt so familiar, and she soon realised exactly who it was when they brought a hand to the bare skin on her back, and it was exceedingly cold and smooth.

She knocked herself backwards, falling onto her backside as she looked up at him, the catalyst of all her problems. Echo was looking down at her with worry painted on his face, and she frowned as her breathing evened out more. She scrambled from the floor and uttered apologies as she ran away from him, back towards the base.

Echo followed after her, catching up to her quickly and moving around her so he could stop in front of her.

“M'aira, what's going on? What's the matter?” He asked, placing his hands gently on either side of her arms.

Kan didn't say anything. She just stared at him, her chest heaving and a deep frown settled over her features.

“M'aira?” Echo said quietly, stepping towards her, but Kan stepped back a few paces.

“Why are you calling me that?” She tried to speak plainly, but her voice was still thick with emotion.

“What?” Echo asked, confused as to why she would ask that.

“Aren't you worried someone is going to see us talking?” She asked, her voice breaking.

Echos heart fell from his chest, “What do you mean?”

Kan could feel her bottom lip begin to quiver and she instinctively dug her teeth into it to stop it. She wasn't going to let Echo see her cry. Well, anymore than he already had.

“What’s going on M'aira, why are you upset?”

The use of the nickname once more sent her over the edge, “Because of you!” She shouted, though her anger was swallowed by embarrassment as she barged past Echo and made her way inside.

Echo stood frozen on the spot.

Because of me? But I haven't even spoken to her in… oh.

He quickly followed after her again, not entirely sure where she was headed but he hoped it was towards her office. He saw the door close from the end of the hall and heard the lock engage immediately after, something he didn't even know the door was capable of.

He knocked a few times, and heard Kan sniffle but she didn't reply.

“M'aira, please open up” He said gently, leaning his forehead on the door.

“Go away Echo” She replied, and Echo sighed deeply.

“Kandam'aira… please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you”

The door then zipped open and he fell forwards slightly, finding himself in the room as Kan closed the door again.

“What did you mean to do?” She looked up at him sternly, her cheeks stained by tears.

“I-” He couldn't admit to his feelings right now, that would only confuse her, “I just thought you might want some space”

“Why would you think that? I thought we were friends, Echo. Friends at least look at each other from time to time”

“I know, I'm sorry, I guess I just figured that we'd been together for a while and you might be sick of me” He stated, though it came out more like a question.

“Well I don't” Kan crossed her arms, and Echo blinked at her.

“Don't what?”

Kan rolled her eyes, “I don't want space”

“Oh, right” Echo said awkwardly, and Kan felt her undeniable fondness for him returning as she looked up at his blushing cheeks.

She then quickly wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly, “I missed you”

Echo could feel his heart ache as she gripped him tightly, and he matched her hold, resting his cheek on the top of her head, “I missed you too”

Kan pulled back, looking up at him sheepishly, “I'm sorry you had to see me all…” She wiped her cheek, “Panicky”

“I don't mind, I'm just sorry that I caused it” He said, bringing his own hand up to wipe the wetness from her cheek.

Kan sighed, “It wasn't just you”

Echo gave her a questioning look and she shook her head slightly, “I'm just stressed, but I'll be fine”

“What are you stressed about?” Echo pressed.

“Nothing, I think I'm going to get an early night now” She said, opening the door.

“Hey” Echo gripped her shoulders lightly, “We can talk about it if you want?”

“Another time maybe” She smiled up at him, “Goodnight Echo”

Echo sighed with a worried smile, “Goodnight M'aira”

Kan's smile grew at the use of the nickname as she stepped away from Echo, hoping its return was permanent.

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tubbytarchia · 11 months ago

Text

Thank you Animatsuri, you meant everything to me.

2017, when I ran around with Eren and got chased by a T-Rex through multiple hallways

2018, when I dragged my newly recruited anime watcher along

2019, when I dabbled in something resembling cosplay for the first time (I am Mimikyu)

covid

2023, when I spoke to vendors for the majority of it but still had a blast and bought a really awesome Bulbasaur and will forever remember how sweet the vendor was

2024, last Animatsuri, when I tabled for the first and possibly last time, and had a blast doing it in spite of the trouble that I had to endure beforehand

And got to see many of my little guys get adopted to good homes. And awesome cosplayers. And possibly the funniest Anime con social media post I've seen

And, I participated in the AMV contest for the first time, and won. You can see both of my submissions on my channel, the winner is considerably less funny if you're not estonian though unfortunately :(

I was desperate for a Miku figure since she's close to my heart even if I haven't been active in the vocaloid fandom for a long time. I wanted a default Miku, but they had none, so I bought Sakura Miku. In the end, I got a default Miku plushie as one of my prizes

Thank you Animatsuri, I don't know what I will do without you when you were the reason I looked forward to just living long enough to make it to the next one, for many years, but maybe I can figure it out. I will find other cons to fill this space, even if I have to start spending money for travel to other countries, but I know that nothing will ever compare to what you brought into my life

#blabber #animatsuri est #animatsuriest

28 notes · View notes

eepyuii · 2 years ago

Text

frostbite — pt. 2

pairing ; childe x gender neutral!reader

content ; childhood friends to “rivals” to lovers, slowburn-ish

cw ; swearing, a LOT of canon archon quest yappery (sorry)

note ; part two baybee!! in comparison to the ao3 version of this, i’ve decided to merge the chapters two by two to make them seem longer and since so far, i’ve only written five- next one might take a little longer to come out. or maybe i’ll just post chapter 5 stand-alone, who knows

also i’ve got a taglist now!

previous | next | masterlist

your arrival in liyue harbor goes less than stellar.

the port is packed full of people who are either confused or outraged at the line of millelith soldiers who refuse to let anyone through. you end up waiting in a line for an annoying amount of time, up until you’re finally attended to by a soldier.

“i’m sorry but liyue harbor is not accepting in any tourists, we are trying to keep our… current situation under control as best we can while investigations are still in order, i hope you can understand.” the millelith states formally.

“oh, well err- i’m no tourist, i was born in liyue harbor! my parents migrated from overseas many years ago and i was just on a leisurely trip to snezhnaya, haha…” you lie through your teeth.

the mere mention of snezhnaya sets off the most minute reaction in the millelith solider, hence why you’re under a fake identity to begin with. you politely hand him a folder with forged documents so gracefully provided to you by your employers and pray to your lucky stars- and, well, tsaritsa, that it’s good enough for him to let you pass.

the soldier remains neutral for a few seconds as he eyes through the paper.

“very well. but please behave in an orderly fashion inside the city, as i said the trail on the ahem- incident is still fresh. welcome home.”

it takes a lot out of you not to snort at the welcome.

the poor naïve man truly wasn’t lying- the inside of the harbor was just as tumultuous as the outside. people in the streets gather in small groups and anxiously whisper their worries to each other. but most of all, they eye you suspiciously like you were the one to stab a sword through rex lapis with the entire harbor watching. you’d say they’re within reason to do so, losing their protector god and all.

you wouldn’t call yourself the most devoted of subjects but you’d also hate to imagine a snezhnaya without the tsaritsa so… benevolently

watching over it. challenging the heavenly principles like she has would certainly cause a catastrophic bite in the ass for the nation if she were to perish. maybe you could be a devoted subject enough to prevent that from happening.

drowning in a whirlpool of your own thoughts, you don’t even realize you’re already standing in front of the northland bank branch of liyue harbor. you try to walk inside as discreetly as possible, so as to not raise any suspicion toward you from the millelith or civilians and to not disturb the workers inside the bank.

unfortunately your efforts are in vain, because you’re recognized immediately.

“ah, sergeant y/n! we were expecting that you would arrive soon. please, allow me to take care of your luggage.” calls out the receptionist, ekaterina.

not only does she practically announce your arrival, she does it while the very bane of your existence is present in the main hall of the bank, formerly distracted as he spoke to a blonde woman in the strangest garments you’ve ever seen and a uh… floating baby?

childe’s ears, no- his entire body, almost instinctively perk up at the mention of your name and he abruptly stops his sentence midway through to look over to the entrance, to you.

“y/n? what in the name of the tsaritsa are you doing here?” he inquires, eyebrows furrowed with the purest of confusions. that is until he remembers the traveler and paimon are still present and most definitely more perpexled than he is.

so he decides to save face before anything else.

“missed me too much?” childe adds cockily.

your eyes almost roll on their own accord. “whatever you’d like to tell yourself. unfortunately, they decided to station me here to help… stabilize the situation, surely that has nothing to do with you screwing up?”

he scoffs. “there’s been nothing to screw up. in fact, the situation is plentiful under control and we’ve already devised a plan to solve it. your intrusion is unneede-”

“wh- you big liar! we literally met after you kicked a bunch of millelith butt in broad daylight! we’ve been stumbling up and down these past few days just to clear our names.” the floating baby speaks up.

you cock your head to the side at the revelation with curiosity and just a smidgen of smugness.

“and you! don’t think just because paimon likes making fun of childe doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. we heard what the lady called you, you’re fatui just like mr. pants-on-fire over here. just who are you anyway?!” the floating baby glides over to you with an accusatory finger pointed and a suspicious squint to her eyes.

the blonde woman, who’s been radio silent this entire time, merely puts a hand on the floating one’s shoulder to pull her back, though she also looks wary of you.

childe laughs at the display and holds out a formal hand as to introduce you. “traveler, paimon, this is y/n, my.. coworker as you can obviously tell. don’t worry though, they’re not a bad guy or kind of a bad guy like me, you have nothing to worry about. they’re actually an amazingly talented battle medic and head nurse of the fatui, that��s why they carry the sergeant title.”

you’re taken aback for a brief moment at the unexpected praise. you were waiting for just a formal introduction of your position in the fatui, or even one that contained a little snarky comment about your attitude towards him. but no, he only complimented your talents. it’s almost a little too courtly too.

“y/n, this is the traveler and paimon. these two not from around here but they unfortunately managed to land right in the bullseye of the incident and are being considered murder suspects. i’m merely helping them clear their names.”

ah, there’s the kicker. he’s “helping” those two.

you know childe well enough to comprehend that he wouldn’t just help some strangely dressed bystanders if he didn’t think he could snake his way into benefit, in this case most likely the geo gnosis. that’s why he’s trying to make somewhat of a good image for himself and those associated. conniving bastard.

then again, takes one to know one.

“so it’s true then, rex lapis is dead.” you hum. “but why has the millelith jumped to the conclusion that it was a murder so quickly? what exactly happened in the rite of descension?”

“weeell, the ceremony was starting just fine and dandy when suddenly the sky got unusually dark and then- bam! thunder strikes and this huge amber dragon drops dead from the sky.” paimon explains dramatically before shivering.

“eugh… really gave paimon the heebie-jeebies… then, the tianquan went over to examine the body and immediately announced it was a murder.”

“interesting.. did the dragon seem to have any visible injuries? any slashes or punctures? weapons sticking out of his body?”

“it’s tricky to say, as i was just relaying onto the traveler before you arrived, the qixing have long since confiscated the exuvia and are refusing to let anyone see it.” childe joins in, looking down pensively with a hand on his chin.

“it feels too early to draw any conclusions but paimon can confidently say it was not us and our names are squeaky clean! either way, we should get going- we’ve done so much walking up mountains since we got here and it’s making paimon famished.”

“see, you keep saying that but you still float, paimon-“ you hear the traveler say as the pair turns to leave.

“oh shush, you!!”

the air between the remaining two of you is thick with awkwardness. you decide to be one to break it once the traveler and paimon are well away from earshot.

“so, how will your charitable little side quest tie into getting the gnosis?”

“hah, you’ve barely arrived and you’re looking so far ahead?”

“aren’t you? in fact, didn’t you say you’d already ‘devised plan to solve it’ and that my presence was ‘unneeded’?” you question, accentuating the quotings in your sentence with a less than half-assed impression of childe’s own pesky tone at the time.

“jeez, i do not sound like that-“

“not the point-“

“yes yes, whatever… for the record i do already have a plan.” he admits. “unfortunately for you, doc, it is a bit airtight and therefore- your interference is unneeded.”

“y’know what, you’re right. if someone like you is describing their plans as airtight then maybe it’s best if i stay out of its splash zone.” you bite back and childe scoffs.

“who even ordered you be sent here?”

the malicious grin grows on your face with haste.

“the jester.”

“wha-?! argh, that old man…”

—

“ekaterina?”

“yes- how may i help you, sergeant?”

“what would be your recommendations for restaurants ‘round here?”

evening was nearing and you could feel the emptiness eating at your stomach from the inside. the few days that had passed of your stay in liyue were remarkably unremarkable. half of your time was spent cooped up in northland bank with diplomatic or medical paperwork while the other half was you doing whatever discreet investigation inside the city that you could, up to little avail.

childe was moving forward with his scheming while effectively keeping you completely in the dark from it- well not completely, as he wasn’t the only stubborn one out of the two of you. some intel about his flawless, artful plan had “slipped out” (meaning you pried it out of ekaterina) and come to your knowledge- for example, today he’d be going out to meet with the traveler and paimon for another meeting with one of his… contacts, he called it. you just didn’t know where.

luckily your source of discovering that had just walked through the door.

“welcome, friend of childe! and congratulations on the first day of your illustrious career with the fatui.” ekaterina greets formally and you’re too late to stop yourself from visibly cringing.

“i have no intention of joining the fatui.” the traveler says curtly.

“you sound remarkably sure of yourself… remember, we are mere mortals- our ideas are fluid like water. only the tsaritsa truly has a will as solid as permafrost.”

you huff at the receptionist’s straightforwardness.

“i’m sure we can maintain.. beneficial connections without anyone signing away their names. why don’t we keep to the matter of this visit?” with a slightly forced business smile, you try to ease the traveler’s stone-like expression. thought, if you were in her shoes you believe you’d react much the same.

and you would sure as hell never recommend for someone to join the fatui.

“hm, yes, back to the matter at hand- childe tells me that he has upheld his end of your agreement.”

“what agreement? ..oh, the thing about him helping us find a guy?” paimon inquires.

“correct. childe promised he would find someone to break the stalemate. and harbingers do not break their promises lightly.”

this time you succeed in internalizing your reaction to the comment- from your personal experience, childe did not exactly fit that concept. but there was no time for dwelling on that now.

“ah, where is that guy anyway?”

“childe is currently at liuli pavilion.”

bingo.

“liuli pavilion?” you ask.

“oh, oh! paimon knows this one!” paimon exclaims, proceeding to give an insight of the rival cooking styles of liyue and you almost admire how dedicated she is to liking food so… academically. you’re half zoning out at their conversation when your stomach traitorously growls for all ears to hear.

“hey, y/n, why don’t you join us? you’re a friend of childe’s too afterall!” the floating guide propositions naively.

“ah err… i-i wouldn’t describe it like that, plus, i wasn’t invited to this meeting. i’d hate to intrude.” you try to wave it off. while this could be your current best chance at receiving more context on their investigation, you’d rather not do it where childe would catch onto you.

“well it won’t hurt to ask him! c’mon, at least walk with us, you’ll have to find a place to eat anyway.” paimon drags you by the sleeve out of northland bank, along with the traveler, with unexpected strength in her grasp.

the streets are bustling with people, walking back and forth as they also step out to guarantee themselves some dinner. the crowd covers the sight of liuli pavilion’s entrance and it’s not until you’ve actually arrived that childe sees you.

he looks no less than befuddled.

“aha, y-you’ve made it…” he laughs awkwardly, clearly not expecting the current situation to ever occur. “care to explain the plus one?”

“they’re just that! they were also looking for a place to eat so we invited them to join us.” paimon contextualizes, oblivious to the silent glare battle taking place between the two of you.

“w-well anyhow-“ childe effectively retreats from the as promised, i’ve found someone who can help you. someone who can solve the mystery of why the liyue qixing would hide the geo archon’s vessel.”

“so.. where is he? in liuli pavilion?”

“he certainly is. come, i’ll… introduce you.” he intends to sound cheerful but the last part of his sentence comes out the smidgen most strained as his eyes flicker to you momentarily.

“i took the liberty of setting up a business dinner, as per liyue custom.”

the traveler and paimon walk ahead and get distracted with the warm welcome of the restaurant’s staff while you and childe try not to jump to an argument then and there.

“trust me, i resisted this impromptu invite as much as i could.” you mutter, preferring to look at the surroundings rather than the harbinger beside you.

“good, because you won’t be joining anyway.” he replies coldly as he starts walking inside ahead of you.

“at least let me see the damn restaurant first, maybe i won’t join your table but that doesn’t mean i won’t eat there.”

“how will i know you’re not listening in on our busine-“

“childe? y/n? c’mon, let’s get to our table!” paimon calls out from further into the pavilion.

as you round to the reserved table, you see a brown-haired man in refined amber clothing seated at the far end of it, tea in hand. somehow you think you’ve seen him before but only out in the streets, perhaps at third-round knockout listening to the storyteller at the front tables.

“yes yes, i’m here.” childe steps up, half-sheepish at his late arrival. “unfortunately, y/n won’t be joining us as they have other matters to attend to.” he says like you’re not standing right beside him.

“really? but y/n didn’t say anything, plus, they seemed like they were awfully hungry-“

“forgive the intrusion but, childe, might this be the same y/n you’ve mentioned before?”

the man at the table joins in and childe looks like he’s promptly died on the spot. you, however, look elated at the revelation.

so elated that you don’t see the flush of red that plagues childe’s face and ears.

“why yes, i might just be.” the grin on your face seems only friendly to the other three and only the harbinger feels it’s real sting of triumph.

“then, please, let us all eat together.”

you all waste no more time to do so, childe sits on the man’s right, you sit beside him while the traveler and paimon mirror you on the other side- well, paimon at least floats on top of the chair.

“allow me to introduce mr. zhongli, consultant to an organization known as wansheng… and a trusted associate of the fatui.”

“wansheng?” the traveler asks.

“indeed.” the redhead answers. “wansheng’s line of work can be… sensitive at times. let’s just say they understand when discretion is needed. and we, the fatui, have always been glad to do business with friends who walk in the shadows.”

“w-walk in the shadows..?” paimon shivers.

“it is an honor to meet you. i have heard tell of you from mondstat.” zhongli turns to you. “you as well, doctor, i have been meaning to arrange for us to meet ever since hearing word of you from childe.”

you’re pleasantly surprised by him calling you doctor for a moment, as no one has ever really referred to you in such a respectful manner. sure, childe and others have called you “doc” playfully but never fully doctor.

and then you remember who the title is usually reserved for.

“discretion… shadows… ah! is wansheng some kind of business involving… ‘dealing’ with people?” paimon panics.

“indeed. it is as you have guessed.”

“ahh!!” she screams.

“don’t worry, wansheng is a funeral parlor.” you assure her amusedly and paimon’s fear shifts to confusion.

zhongli cluelessly nods in affirmation. “the wansheng funeral parlor organizes burials. we ensure that those who pass on do so in peace.”

“e-eh?”

you hear childe laugh warmly from beside you, the warmest you’ve heard from him in years. “did you think he was some sort of hired killer? the fatui calls many such people friends, but the wansheng funeral parlor does not dabble in such business… well, ostensibly.”

“ostensibly?” you question.

“well, they are still- ah, i shouldn’t say too much. in any case, i brought you to meet mr. zhongli because…”

“because i can bring you to see rex lapis’ vessel.” the consultant follows up plainly.

“what?!” exclaims paimon.

“ha, don’t be so surprised. sure, the geo archon’s body has been squirreled away by order of the tianquan ningguang… but first, let’s hear what mr. zhongli has to say, shall we?”

how childe managed to hide such a supposed fatui associate, an insanely useful one at that, from you with all the snooping around you’d been doing is beyond your mortal comprehension. what baffles you even more is his unwavering determination to keep you as far away from the entire operation as possible, going against the order of your involvement that came directly from not only dottore, the very second fatui harbinger, but also the director of all of the fatui himself.

unfortunately you’ll still need to wait until zhongli preaches his tale before you get to strangle childe where he stands.

“rex lapis may be the prime of adepti, but he is ultimately an adeptus. many adepti have left us over the millennia- this is the inexorable trend.”

zhongli turns to the traveler. “the times have changed- you must have felt it too when you were at jueyun karst.” with the travelers confirmation, he continues. “as you have seen, the time of adepti is ending, and the time of mankind is slowly dawning.”

the dinner proceeds with talks of the rite of passing and as the traveler and zhongli become more well acquainted, they all agree to leave liuli pavilion and further discuss their arrangements.

“you can go if you want to, don’t worry about me. i might just have a few more drinks…” childe dismisses the two travelers.

“and me also. somebody needs to teach a certain other someone how to use chopsticks if we’re to stay in liyue for a good while.” you imply half-jokingly, grateful that the two get on their way quick so you can give the redhead beside you an exclusive earful.

as you feel your cheeks start to warm with the burn of the alcohol, you down decisively the last one of your drinks for the night and slam the cup on the table with vigor.

“am i some sort of joke to you?”

childe almost chokes on his own beverage at the suddenness. “e-excuse me?”

“actually no, let me rephrase that- do you think it’s funny to play around with the job i’ve been assigned here and purposefully leave me to wander around streets i don’t know like a bumbling idiot while you keep contacts like mr.fucking-rex-lapis-historian under your belt?” you practically bark.

“y/n, please, i think you might’ve drank too mu-“

“answer the question or so help me celestia, i will leave this restaurant with my hands as red as that stupid scarf of yours.”

the harbinger huffs. “alright alright! no i don’t think it’s funny to do… all of what you said. but i don’t think that’s fair- this is my mission and it’s been running smoothly since before you even got here. at least i thought it was until they decided to send more manpower with zero forewarning, do you know how insulting that is?”

“how is it insulting to have backup in case something goes wrong? that’s all i’m here for- to help, and ideally help with the investigation. but i can’t do that if i don’t know where the hell jueyun karst is, much less where else to go to look for clues.”

childe only sighs again, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingertips. “you’re right… i shouldn’t alienate you from what’s your assignment too. but let me keep up with my plan for now and if something goes awry, i’ll call you. i’ll fill you in on it tomorrow morning.”

you nod firmly- easier than you thought it’d be.

“now will you please teach me how to use these damned sticks?”

taglist ; @kentply

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