kiriganarchives

[kiriganarchives]

I think the hot new trends for this summer should be reading comprehension and critical thinking skills

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i was so scared for him

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Masterlist

*ੈ₊˚. a complete list of my fics, hcs, and one-shots (wip)

pedro pascal

a confession | ☆ joel miller fluff | 1k words

grishaverse

the wedding | *ੈ₊˚. matthias and nina hc | 1.2k words

[kiriganarchives]

the wedding

*ੈ₊˚. matthias and nina hc | 1.2k words

One of the few chapels in Ketterdam was a crumbling old building, weathered under the weight of neglect and decay. Fortunately, it was tucked away in Black Veil, keeping them close to their hideout. Nina examined her surroundings, the dim light barely illuminating the peeling paint and cracked stone. The room was dark, and a steady drip echoed from a leak in the ceiling, punctuating the silence. They shouldn’t be here—not at this hour. Kaz would undoubtedly have their heads for it, but that was why Inej was by their side. Nina hoped that with her presence, Kaz would be more forgiving. Also, Inej was the only one in their crew who spoke to the Saints. Her devout spirit lent a symbolism to the occasion, and even more so, she was Nina's closest friend. It was important to Nina for her to be there, and meant more to her than she could say. 

 “Sorry there wasn’t a better option,” Inej said softly. “This was the only chapel we could reach without being noticed.”

Matthias glanced around, the corners of his mouth tugging downward. “I can see why,” he muttered.

Nina rested a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. “It’s fine,” she said, her eyes shifting between him and Inej. “I’d marry you anywhere, as long as you were beside me.”

A faint smile broke through Matthias’s somber expression. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”

Matthias approached the remains of what had once been an altar, the edges of the stone barely visible under layers of dust and ruin. Nina moved to the start of the aisle, each step heavy with anticipation. Inej stepped beside her, slipping her arm through Nina’s, offering a small, steadying smile as she began to walk with her. Nina’s heart raced with each step forward, and she felt her Heartrender abilities useless against the surge of emotion tightening her chest. She met Matthias’s gaze; he looked as worn as the crumbling chapel surrounding them, exhaustion etched into his features, his clothes tattered from days spent hiding in Black Veil. His once-neat hair now fell in disarray, far from the disciplined Fjerdan soldier she’d first met on that ice-bound ship. But none of that mattered. Saints, his eyes—those eyes that burned with fierce, undying love for her. She knew she must look the same, that he could see the raw, undeniable reflection of it in her gaze too.

Inej unthreaded her arm from Nina’s, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “What you’re doing is beautiful. I am truly happy for you,” she said, her voice trembling.

Nina hastily wiped away the first tear that slipped down her cheek, taken aback by Inej’s vulnerability. “The Wraith is crying? It must be that the Barrel has been turned upside down and shaken violently,” she laughed bitterly. “Thank you, Inej,” she whispered, her smile softening. She embraced Inej tightly before reluctantly pulling away.

The last few weeks had been marked by chaos. Even after rescuing Inej from Van Eck, the crew was teetering on the edge, pushed to their limits. Kaz was already plotting their next move, and Nina couldn’t shake the feeling that this one would be the final gambit. Matthias sensed it too. The night after Inej’s rescue, the consequences of her use of parem surged through Nina like a tide, pulling her under. She felt the darkness creeping in, the edges of her strength fraying. But Matthias was there, and he held her close, offering comfort in the quiet, a balm for the pain that threatened to swallow her whole.

That night, Nina nestled against Matthias, her heart racing with a mix of fear and longing. She could feel the remnants of power still coursing through her veins, a reminder of what she had sacrificed for strength. The whispers of the drug clawed at her mind, seductive and insistent, tempting her to surrender to it once more. But as she looked into Matthias’s eyes—those fierce, steadfast eyes—she found the resolve to fight it.

“Why did I let it get this far?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. The vulnerability in her words hung between them, heavy and charged.

Matthias traced a thumb over her cheek, anchoring her in the present. “No use dwelling on what’s already gone,” he said, his voice steady, a quiet strength meant for both of them. “All that matters is this—I'm here. We are here.”

Nina lifted her gaze to him, eyes shining, her hair a soft whisper against his chin. “Matthias, it hurts,” she breathed, voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what tomorrow holds. All I want is to be with you, and I ask the Saints—why not now? Can’t it be now?”

Matthias frowned, uncertainty clouding his eyes. “What are you asking?”

Nina inhaled slowly, the breath heavy with the weight of her heart, and the parem. “Be with me, forever. Promise me things, even if the world doesn’t let them happen.”

A twinkle shone in Matthias’s eyes. “I never took you for a romantic,” he said with a soft chuckle, though the humor felt hollow.

“Maybe I’m just tired of hiding, of waiting,” she confessed, her voice no more than a breath. “I want something we can hold on to, no matter what tomorrow brings.”

Matthias’s gaze softened, his grip on her hands tightening just slightly. “Something that won’t slip away with the night,” he murmured, as if testing the thought aloud.

Nina nodded, the ache in her chest easing ever so slightly. “Exactly. Something that’s ours, even if the world tries to take it.”

He studied her, the tension in the air crackling between them. “We will make this permanence,” he said, his voice firm. A smile broke through the shadows that had lingered in his eyes.

It had only happened a few days ago, yet the memory lingered vividly in Nina's mind. She needed to hold onto it, especially as she stepped closer to Matthias, and a wave of fear washed over her. She fought to push it away. She knew, deep down, that this was what she truly wanted. When Nina finally reached the altar, her fear melted away, replaced by the undeniable love she felt for the man standing before her. The Druskelle, her warrior.

Outside, the world felt on the brink, shadows dancing in the flickering light of the lanterns that lined the narrow streets of Ketterdam. The city was a living beast, wild and untamed, and they were caught in its jaws, waiting for the moment to strike back. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the crisp night air, determined to face whatever awaited them.

“I don’t know what will happen,” Nina said, her voice trembling, but a smile broke through.

“I do,” Matthias declared, cradling Nina's hands in his own, gently tilting her chin to meet his gaze. “With these vows, we will be forever bound. No matter what tomorrow brings, we will love each other fully and completely. It doesn’t matter when or how. I am here now, Nina. If you will have me.”

Nina squeezed his hands, warmth blooming in her chest. “Of course I will. Will you have me, Matthias Helvar?”

“Until death,” he replied, his eyes aglow with fervor. “In the eyes of Djel, the Saints, or whatever heavens may be watching, I will choose you—today and always, Nina Zenik. I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath.”

[kiriganarchives]

[kiriganarchives]

why the net, kaz?

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[kiriganarchives]

If im reading a 800 page book I should be freed of all other responsibilities in my life. Like sorry I can’t do that right now because im reading this long ass book. Yeah you know how it is

[kiriganarchives]

I do like characters who do not exhibit any hint of sexuality in any way because they’re too busy being tormented by the narrative. like “yea I might be gay or whatever but the labyrinth is growing so I can’t worry about that shit rn”

[kiriganarchives]

| a confession

☆ joel miller fluff | 1k words

You anxiously pace back and forth across the room, it's worn floorboards groaning under your feet. Joel and Ellie went out for a food run hours ago, and still haven't come back. It was already dark out. Despite the growl in your stomach begging for something to eat, you were more worried about the last two people you have in your life being shot dead or worse, getting infected.

The panic was starting to settle in fast before you heard the door burst open. Your eyes met Joel's, and relief flooded your body. But it quickly vanished when you saw who he was holding. It was Ellie, bruised and unconscious in his arms.

Your eyes widened. "What happened—"

"Get me the tape," he said gruffly. Without hesitation, you rummage in your pack and throw it to Joel. He rips a strip out with his teeth and wraps the black piece tight around Ellie's forearm. "There were four raiders. Said they would kill her if I didn't give them what they wanted." Joel scoffed. "Of course, she beat those assholes real hard. I was shootin' at them behind her, watching her back."

You gently rub Ellie's injured arm, frowning a little. "She's amazing." Joel glances up at you, then back at Ellie to tend her wound, his brows pressed together. "Sorry, you must've been worried."

You nod your head. "I was, but it's—hey, you're hurt too." You lift a finger and point to Joel's cheek. There was a nasty cut sliced across. He touched it to check, then flinched. It was the slightest movement, but you saw. You knew him well enough already to see when he's trying to hide pain.

"Let me help," you say. Joel nods once in agreement, then looks down at Ellie. You notice a faint look of uneasiness in his gaze. "She's sleeping. She'll be fine," you assure him. Joel only shook his head. "Yeah, you should've seen her go at them. Thinks she's invincible or somethin'..."

You helped Joel up to his feet, and the both of you sit on the two chairs propped nearby Ellie. Whether it was you or Joel, neither of you would let her out of your sight. You take a cloth and pour a bit of water on it to clean up the gash, at least a little bit. Some drops of water fall to your lap, and Joel absentmindedly clears them away with a swipe of his hand.

"I should've went with you," you sigh.

"You had to watch our stuff."

"I can carry the stuff, and go out with you guys next time," you said sharply, making a pointed look at Joel.

Joel stared at you for a moment, then softly, finally said, "Alright."

There was a beat of silence before you wrung the cloth, squeezing the reddened water out. Your lips were pressed tight in a line while you dabbed some alcohol on Joel's cut. He winced but ignored it, instead noticing the tension on your face. Joel laid a hand on your knee. "Hey, what's goin' on?"

Your hand drops down a little. "Nothing, just thinking." You lift your hand to Joel's face again, but he gently brings it down to your lap.

"Come on, tell me," he says. With a defeated sigh, you toss the cloth. Joel leans in closer toward you.

It took you a minute to say anything, but he waited. "You and Ellie, you were only gone for a few hours but, it felt too long. I was so afraid," you whispered, your voice shaking a little. Joel shook his head to say he and Ellie were alright, but didn't speak. You went on.

"Joel," you swallowed, talking into the dark pool in his eyes. "You don't understand, this was the longest fucking day of my life. It's stupid, I know, I should've expected this to happen but, if anything happened to you—"

"Hey, hey, no. It's not stupid," he cut in, putting his hands on your shoulders. You shake your head, and close your eyes tight, shutting away the tears threatening to fall. Joel knew what you were doing, and pulled you into his arms. The action tore down your dam, and you cried silently into his shoulder.

He held you tight, close. It felt so right, like if he let you go you would fall apart to pieces on your own. But you stayed wrapped in his arms for a long time, listening to his soothing whispers in your ear. Finally, when you were ready, when you felt like he'd put you back together well enough, you broke away from him.

But Joel wasn't ready. When he saw your reddened, tear stained cheeks; his face changed and mirrored the pain written all over your face. Gently, he pressed his palm against your cheek, and kissed you softly. You heard a sigh escape his lips, and the sound made you melt. Slowly, your pain and his began to dull in your chests, and a feeling of need crept in.

You wrapped your arms around his neck. He pressed one hand on your back and the other on your waist. Joel would've kissed you for hours if it meant your hurt went away. But you pulled away, and were both out of breath. With foreheads touching, you looked at him, and his eyes were closed, chest rising up and down fast. You crept your fingers to the back of his head, and stroked his gray hair softly—it calmed him, his breath slowed. He opened his eyes, leaning back to look at you.

"Was that okay?" he asked, his voice coarse.

"Yeah. I feel better," you said, your lips formed in an almost undetectable smile.

"Ah, do you?" Joel teased. He let out a low chuckle, and you could feel the sound rumble down to your stomach.

"Stop it," you laughed, shoving him away. But Joel was fast, and he immediately had you on his lips again, breathing you in. It caught you off guard, and before you knew it the kiss was over, breaking apart with the sound of you catching your breath, and Joel's eyes on yours.

"You're beautiful," he sighed. You scoffed almost silently in reply, but Joel heard it. "Hey," he said, stroking your cheek with his thumb. "Really, I'm serious."

You rolled your eyes, smiling. "Okay, okay," you whispered. It was dark, but by some moonlight spilling through the windows Joel saw the flush forming in your cheeks. He grinned, and with one last kiss on your head, he went down to the floor and opened up his bedroll. You curled up beside him, and you fell asleep, his fingers locked in yours.