#All the necessary content warnings XD

[thebottomfromhell]

In a scenario where the reader is a hashira, what do you think would happen to him if his relationship with a demon was discovered. I know you wrote something along those lines where the reader was someone ordinary. The Hashiras, in the original work, are mostly nice, but they are very strict-minded about demons, so I wonder what their reaction would be if one of their own basically "betrayed" them. If you think it's going to be very similar, you can just ignore it or just say what you think would happen, without it necessarily being a story. I would appreciate it just the same

The Hashira request I like, the one where we treat them as the corporation of hunters they are instead of the avengers! I usually don't like making reader a Hashira, since I like to make it relatable to most, and let's be honest, the power fantasy is nice but most wouldn't live past Kanoe XD. Besides, it's funnier to make powerless MC's who need constant saving. But once or twice can't hurt.

The Hashira will refer to reader as L/N, as Last Name. Like last time it won't specify gender nor who's Uppermoon reader is with. One difference would be that as a civilian, last time reader only knew about the corps due being warned by their couple, hence only saw them as a bounch of psychos, here they will be more aware of certain things.

Hashira find out Hashira!GN Reader has a relationship with an Upper Moon

Warnings: Manga spoilers, Torture (Mostly non-physical, and the ones ññ, Excesive violence, Mutilation, Mentioned non-consented drug use, Mention of character's death, Implied sexual content, Suicidal character with survival guilt (Giyuu) and Open ending.

You became a Hashira to save others, you were told sometimes you were someone that loves too much, even for this line of work, specially for this line of work. In your ranking, most of everyone is civil to each other (depending on your definition of civil), but there is at least a level of trust. But not the tradiotional trust of sharing your burdens or being able to do things together, every Hashira prefers to work without the others, but trust that everyone else will do their job and kill every demon they meet or die trying.

That is exactly the trust you broke, so everyone is angry, upset and thirsty for blood. Most Hashira think positive things about each other, you also had only good things to say when asked, but now? After all that conversations you had with your lover about the inferiority of humanity, that they are pests, barbaric, backstabbers, a necessary evil... you have to wonder. After they caged you without any warning or mercy, sending Kocho and Shinazugawa for you, ending up beated and drugged.... you wonder. You just wonder.

Is it actually right?

The fellow Hashira could have at least confronted you out of the sake of the this fellowship, you could recieve visits from someone that isn't Kocho, drugging you for the sake of being easier to handle for the kakushi. And not only she drugs you, she always makes sure to remind you of your situation. To shame you, to taunt you, to hurt you. "Ara ara, aren't you eager to move? This is the second time I have to drug you today. You should really give a slack to the kakushi, they are just trying to do their job. But again, considering what you did, I must really question if you care about the efforts of the people in the corps." She says smiling, even if your blurred vision doesn't let you see it clearly, you can tell by her tone. Shinobu spits poison so cafefully with every word. Because she hates you. "You know? A mere civilian or commoner would have a an excuse. The don't know the level of sacrifice we have made, the pain the demons have caused. You? You did. And you had one job, the same as us. To stop that pain or die trying, you should have done the later."

You know about Kanae. You were never told about the demon who killed her nor the details, but it's almost (Tokito...) impossible to be a Hashira and NOT know about her death on the hands of demons. You knew, know that most Hashira have lost something to demons, and yet you decided to get close to one. Close enough to become lovers. But... it was right, at the time. The gentle touches, the vulnerable moments, the softness. The beatings inside your chest, the warmness in your face, that lightness in that voice... you are in love. And that Uppermoon is too, or else you would be dead, like everyone seems to wish you were, already.

You have too much free time in your thoughts, since you are tied up in a way you can't move any of your limbs and struggling cut's your circulation, kept in a dark room, when light and noise only appear when the Kakushi are told to feed you, once a day at most. You have no idea if they were told to do it that way or they are only scared to face a "renegade Hashira" or whatever they call you when you can't hear them. Your body is sore, it has been for the longest time, and you feel constantly sick due Kocho's drugs. Dizzy, tired, too hot, wanting to throw out when anything touches your throat, and even after hours the needles stings remains in wherever she managed to shot you. You also never healed your leg when fighting Shinazugawa, at lealt not properly. You can still feel empty tissues and the bone in your thigh stabbing the flesh, with smaller piece stuck. Your nose is also broken, making you need to breath through the mouth. The only thing Kocho actually tended was a cut through your hand, so you don't die from the blood loss.

You still remember grabbing the tilt of your sword to protect yourself, only to have all of the digits cut out of the hand, keeping in each different fractions, but all of the without the tips. At first there was a fast and intense sting, similar to a burning senssation as your katana started to fall from your grip, then, for a second, a coldness that was at worst, annoying, some sort of emptyness. Finally, when the realization sink there was pain in your pulsating fingers, mixing a lasting feeling of both previous ones, fighting to be the dominant one. You still can feel, on a lesser extent, all the time, those sensations.

It takes a lot for you to not go mad with the lack of contact with everything, and that sensation of being ill. Part of you wonders if your beloved will save you, if any other Hashira will speak to at least let you defend yourself in vain. Every day it becomes less of a reality, which adds resentment. Part of you tells you that you were the one to betray them first, another that longs that sweet voice and touches angers, wanting nothing to get out, to go somewhere safe, with the demon you love. "My sister and my best friend were killed by demons..." One day you suddenly feel a voice besides you... Tomioka. He is giving you his back, speaking only high enough so you can make up what he is saying. "So I really hate them... how... how were you able to love such a monster, knowing well what others suffered because of them?"

You don't know the answer, you can't even speak coherently due the drugs on your system. That is a question you asked yourself so much, thinking that if you didn't fall like that, you wouldn't be in this situation... but... "Sp-cil.... hom.... looovd...." you wonder if the silence means resignation or understanding, but you are glad to have someone close. "You will not be forgiven... there is someone that might, but... he is not here right now, and seeing the situation is probably for the best. I'm sorry." You... honestly can't understand it. That is why you curse Tomioka after he leaves, even if he was the only one willing to listen to you. That feeling only gets worse when you realize he is not in your "trial", he didn't go. The others, as always were neither fast to condemn him or dismiss him because of it, but besides some of them changing the subject, nobody came to his defense. Like you have already realized nobody is comming for yours.

You don't listen when Oyakata-sama speaks, is your attention lacking or he is just talking too low due being sick? None the less you just watch the others. Tokito is there, you want to trash out, but are still drugged and tied up, at the fact the child is here. That is child is going to see you being excecuted... but does it make a difference, this child has killed even more powerful demons than you, and you has never seem to care. Is it really that different to see a human die than a demon? Because everyone else seems so eager to see you die as one. You wouldn't know, you never wished death upon any specific human nor killed any. Yes, sometimes you curse some more anstract subjects, like people who hurt others, some criminals, and so, but you have never talked to anyone and wished you could kill them.

Every Hashira seems obsessed with death in one way or another, even if it's only to avoid it like Mitsuri, who is crearly sobbing and trying to keep it down. "Where is Tomioka? We shouldn't start without him!" Asks Rengoku impossible to not hear him, even in your state, but you know that he isn't comming probably asked permission for it. Damn him, that coward. You can also basically hear the scoffs from Shinazugawa and Obanai. After some seconds you feel the Serpent Hashira stab your shoulder with that irregula blade, making the cut difficult ans uneven, not covering the bleeding at all. "Obanai! Stop! Do not let your anger cloud your judgement!" Himejima acrually screams, and Obanai is close enough for you to hear and see him decently.

There is also a significant, loud, growing hatred in his eyes. Being any other situation you would tease that it's because you made Kanroji cry, but you know better. It's because he trusted you to kill demons and die trying, and you didn't. Come to think about it, it's an unfair standard to hold against anyone. What about those who had someone to go hone to? What about those too young to die? What about those who have a bright future ahead? Is everyone expected to? "My judgement?! What about L/N's judgement! This level of treason is unforgivable! It deserves more than a quick death! I apologize, Oyakata-sama, but I can't accept your desition!" Kanroji only cries harder at the time she speaks. "NO! NO! Y/N-SAN IS STILL OUR FRIEND! WE SHOULD AT LEAST MAKE IT AS PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE!"

"OUR FRIEND? A FRIEND DOESN'T GO AND SLEEP WITH THE ENEMY! IF L/N SIDES WITH THE ENEMY THEN WE TREAT THEM AS SUCH!" Shinazugawa screams at her, moving her direction angrily, so both Kocho and Rengoku put themself in between. You can't hear what Kocho says, but you can definetely make up what Rengoku does. "Shinazugawa! I understand your anger! This betrayal woould never go unpunished! But if we torture and rip L/N as we pleasw we won't be better than demons! We must answer with humanity!"

There is arguing, a lot of noise, Himejima and Tokito-kun are the only ones that are not with to it, besides the big boss who will only let them cool down by themselves, but you don't know that because you can make any voice out of the sounds, but because you know them. You know them... You spoke with them, shared meals and stories with some, worked with them... you know them, and they know you. And still, they will be the ones to kill you as long as they sort their shit out before you bleed to death.

"SILENCE! THIS IS SO UNFLASHY, WE SHOULD NOT BE GOING AGAINST EACH OTHER AFTER SUCH AN EVENT. We are already too on edge for this treason, we we can handle it. We should not be losing trust on each other!" Suddenly screams Uzui as he takes out his weapons, unecesaryly moving them for show, having the blades surrounding his torso, arms and shoulders without a single scratch on him. "I should be the one who deals with this. I know how to make it fast." He gets close to you as your vision becomes even more blured, to the point everything is red. Not black yet, you can basically see your eyelids and your own blood on the ground. You feel cold, trembling violently, you are pain, wanting to throw up your empty, tight and twisted stomach, feeling as if your organs will leave your body through the mouth the second you give into that urge. You pant, having a hard time breathing, every muscles is sore and protests... You are scared.

You swore that was what forced you to stay awake, even after loosing so much blood, but then... "Well, isn't this sad?" You hear a voice loud and clear, masculine. One that you have never heard before but still edges you. Your heart beats faster and normally you would worry about what that would mean something for the bloodloss, but... you don't feel like you are loosing blood, on the contrary, you feel more. "To be honest, I didn't notice at first you had my blood in your system, but now that you are weak, loosing the liquids of your body, the few drops you had inside are taking over. I won't pretend I don't know about your... intimacy with one of my powerful demons, but let me tell you this. It can save you."

You.... can be saved? You want to be saved, you have no idea where Uzui is, if he is near and ready to make the last blow or the arguing is stopping him. "You see, right now I can speak with you, share myself, but I can't take any look in your mind. But if you were to say where you are, I will gladly save you. Just tell where where are the ones who hurt you, and I'll even reward you with more blood. Don't you think it's a winning deal for you?" You cal sell out everyone for your own survival. Do you actually want them to die? To be killed. You feel suddenly a bit better, as the demon cells fight off the drugs.

You take air into your lungs softly and-

Tomioka Giyuu is in his home. He didn't want to be part of this. For now he doesn't want to think about it, the fact that one day he might take your place for not killing that demon girl. Urokodaki sends him letters of Kamado Tanjiro's process, the boy sends him his own letters too. He reads them all. Right now he has a brush in his hands, wondering if he should answer. He is tempted to write back, congratulate him, tell him he is doing good, to take care of himself and his sister, or at least to warn him about some difficulties he might face.

He can't. He doesn't want to get attached, no matter how nice and lovely the boy is, of how much he reminds him of himself when younger, except Tanjiro has more talent and is more capable that he was at his age. He will make a great water Hashira, far better than him. But for that Tomioka can't risk the others undermining his judgement by defending you. He didn't know if he would or not, and he didn't want to find out. Right now, that important thing is to ensure that the boy will take his place, and that means taking his distance too. Because everyone that Giyuu has ever held so dear into his heart dies. His sister and Sabito.... and even if you too were not close, not really friend... but still.

"It shoukd have been me." Is the only thing he can think as he sets the brush aside, not having written anything, and saving the letters carefully in a box. Then, just silence.

It doesn't matter anymore.

[awwyeah107]

2023 Fic Recs

Hello and welcome to my GIANT fic recs from 2023 post :)

I have been utterly obsessed with Tolkien’s works this entire year, and I’ve read more fanfiction in one year than I ever have before. My primary fandom this year was Tolkien, and I’m honestly rather astonished that it’s held my attention as long as it has, especially considering that this is a “recurring” hyperfixation (aka, this is not the first time I’ve had this hyperfixation).

So buckle up, ‘cause this is going to be a crazy long ride. The vast majority of these fics are Tolkien fics, but I’ve got a couple of non-Tolkien fics at the very end, and overall there's about 90-ish fics here in this bad boy XD

For each fic, I’ll give a one-sentence summary and then my thoughts on the fic!

I’m sorting them into oneshots, multi-chapter fics, series, in-progress stories, and misc & non-Tolkien fics. Within those sections, I'll loosely group them by various qualifiers like characters, time periods, and locations.

Intro: What to Expect & Fics Legend

Expect: Lots of fluff, lots of angst. Mostly genfic. Mostly Silmfics featuring or focused on kidnap fam, Fëanorians, Halenthir, Arafinwëons. Some Lord of the Rings and/or Hobbit characters are featured, so if you aren’t familiar with The Silmarillion, there are definitely fics that include characters a non-Silm reader would know. Most fics are rated T, with a few rated M.

Do not expect: Stories with a focus on romantic!Russingon (or any other first cousins x cousins ships—those really give me the ick), smut, or really gory or dark stories. No E-rated fics (with one *singular* exception where I did not know it was E-rated at first and only has a few E-rated scenes that can be skipped).

Fics Legend/Key These emojis are used to denote any stories that do have the following elements, and I’ll do my best to put appropriate warnings/mentions of certain potentially triggering topics as well, when needed.

🔒 Fic only available to AO3 users

⚠️ Features smut (skippable/not essential to the story or the focus of the story)

*️⃣ Features background/non-primary romantic!Russingon

🩸 Features somewhat graphic violence and/or heavy topics (including abuse and severe trauma or mental illness)

As I said, I’ll do my best to put appropriate warnings. However, a) there’s some stuff that just comes with the territory; Tolkien does not shy away from violence and trauma, and b) this is such a long list that I honestly may not remember if some of them apply to certain stories. Most if not all the stories do have content warnings given by the author as appropriate/necessary, so if I miss something, the author and/or the fic tags should tell you about it. My apologies if I do miss anything.

I will tag authors who are here on Tumblr; I've included multiple fics by the same authors, so I will only tag each author once.

Also, this may go without saying, but I feel like it does need saying: Your mileage may vary with these fics, especially those that are not particularly fluffy. For example, I don’t like romantic!Russingon, but I’m willing to read some stories with them in the background. I also don’t like smut, so I don’t read stories that prominently feature it, but if I’m already enjoying a story and I come across it, I will skip it. Same kind of thing with intense violence—I’ll skip or skim what I need to. So, read what you’re comfortable with, and don’t read or skip what you aren’t.

I want to give a massive thank-you to all of the fic authors, all of the people posting meta, and all of the artists out there. I was inspired to re-read The Silmarillion (for the third time) this year, and I highly doubt I would’ve been able to actually get myself to do that without all of the amazing stories and musings and art out there that drove me back to the canon we all love. So thank you ❤️

Oneshots

Haleth x Caranthir (Halenthir)

She is the Sunlight by @dreamingthroughthenoise (aka Alantie)🔒 - Caranthir and Haleth have a hike and a conversation. When I saw the title of this fic, I immediately thought of the Trading Yesterday song with the same name—and it turns out, the fic was named after the song, which fits Caranthir/Haleth as a ship so well! The fic itself is (bitter)sweet and beautiful, and I really enjoyed it.

easily sever what was never one by vauquelin - Haleth and Finrod have a discussion, and Haleth pays a visit to Caranthir. I loved reading this fic, and I’ve come back to reread it at least once. It was quite amusing at times, and I really enjoyed Haleth’s no-nonsense characteristics. The debates and discussions she has with Finrod and Caranthir are delightful to read—plus, I enjoyed Haleth and Caranthir’s dynamic and the waxing and waning tension between them. (Warnings: The fic outright says that Caranthir and Haleth have had and do have sex, in generally crude/slang terms, and there is one paragraph/section where things are described a little, but it can be easily skipped and I would not consider it explicit.)

Call It What It Is (Whatever It Might Be) by @sweetteaanddragons (aka Drag0nst0rm on AO3) (featuring art from @lidoshka) - Haleth is visited by several elves related to Caranthir, which raises her suspicions. A delightfully fun oneshot that had me grinning a lot! I love Caranthir/Haleth fics, especially when Caranthir’s denying he’s got a crush on her. Not a lot of Caranthir interacting with Haleth directly in this one, but it’s a great fic. The art was fantastic, I absolutely love Lidoshka’s art style!

Kidnap Fam

Enough by dreamingthroughthenoise (aka Alantie) 🔒 - Maglor and Maedhros argue over the twins, but later Maedhros comes to join Maglor and the twins on a picnic. This one’s a bit angsty, but it does have some sweet moments in it! I like the discussions the characters have; they feel thoughtful and well-characterized, especially in terms of how Maglor and Maedhros respond to each other. Both brothers have strong emotions, but they don’t go out of their way to be hurtful to each other.

Nightmares by @brievel - Snapshots of Maedhros experiencing nightmares and how Elrond and Elros respond. This is one of my favorite “Maedhros is having nightmares” fics where it features Elrond and Elros. It’s definitely angsty and tense, but I love seeing how the twins’ responses change over the course of the story. It really shows how their trust of Maedhros and Maglor develops.

Dawn (The Nightmares Remix) by sweetteaanddragons (aka Drag0nst0rm on AO3) - The aftermath of one of Maedhros’ nightmares from “Nightmares.” Good and angsty with relief by the end! I loved Maedhros’ reflections on the past (his memories of how he was trusted in Tirion with little ones are especially painful) and every aspect of Maglor’s interactions with his brother.

Chill in Your Heart, Life in Your Wings by @jaz-the-bard - After the Third Kinslaying, Elrond and Elros are kidnapped by a band of human raiders in Sirion, who decide to bring them to Maedhros and Maglor. I love JaztheBard’s kidnap fam fanfics, and this one is no exception. It’s a lovely oneshot with lots of feels! Features VERY cute Elrond and Elros. I just about died from cuteness during the fish book part, specifically.

Outrun the Storm by @secretlythranduil - Elrond and Elros are scared of the storm. I love a good kidnap fam thunderstorm fic, and I particularly love all the little details in this one: the guards joking about the claps of thunder being Morgoth’s footsteps, the twins thinking about what kind of state they would find Maedhros in, the reminder of how the Fëanorians found them in Sirion, and how Maedhros picks them up like Maglor had.

In Valinor pre-kinslaying #1

Unruly and ill-behaved, downright feral even by @swanhild - Fëanor and Nerdanel wrangle their rowdy, unruly bunch of elflings. This was quite amusing and adorable!!! I love the younger elflings’ antics and the older elflings’ “teen troubles” (so to speak), and Fëanor and Nerdanel parenting all of them.

Lack of All Trades by @darkfrozenabyss - Young Maitimo doubts that he has a trade or a craft. Cute father-son feels! I loveloveLOVE baby Maedhros and I loved getting to see Fëanor comforting him.

In Valinor post-kinslaying #1

The Spirit of the Law by @mynameisjessejk - Caranthir is re-embodied in Valinor. mynameisjessejk is one of my favorite authors who write the genre of “elves dealing with re-embodiment in Valinor.” This oneshot, along with the other re-embodiment fics they’ve written, is super super good. I really liked this take on Caranthir’s return, and I enjoyed the development of the Caranthir-Finrod friendship—one that isn’t usually seen in fic!

The Return of the House of Finwë by mynameisjessejk - The tales of the re-embodiment of five different members of the House of Finwë. Aaaaaa, this was such a heart-wrenching, feels-filled read! And so wonderful. I loved reading about each character coming back and seeing their reactions to those who came to meet them.

Pity Found by brievel and darkfrozenabyss - Fëanor and his sons are re-embodied in Valinor. Such an emotional fic! All the feels were amazing. I really enjoyed the fic, and I liked how the end left it open for the family to work things out further.

Beyond the Western World by thearrogantemu - Finrod and Curufin meet in Valinor. I really enjoyed this reckoning between the two of them! Finrod has such control in this conversation, yet he still has compassion for Curufin in a way. I liked how their conversation flowed and alternated between focusing on the present and the past. I think both of them needed to speak to each other, not only for closure but also to fully realize things about themselves. It was already a detailed story, but all the little reminders that they knew each other so well lent an even greater sense of depth to the story, which was beautiful. (Plus, I love the title.)

Though All Whom Ye Have Slain Should Entreat For You by thearrogantemu *️⃣ - Thingol has a conversation with Maedhros in Valinor. VERY interesting fic. I had never thought about Thingol and Maedhros interacting before, but hey, that’s what fanfiction is for, right? This was an incredible ride. I loved reading their back-and-forth debate and how calculating and emotional both were. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for unusual character interactions and a very intellectual and emotionally charged discussion.

There Are Fires, There Is Laughter by ithilielthechosenone - Galadriel and Aredhel take a walk and catch up after Aredhel is re-embodied. I really enjoyed this. It is so beautiful and contemplative, and I love reading about the only two female descendants in the 3rd generation of the house of Finwë.

Finwëons in Beleriand/Middle-Earth

Regrets by dreamingthroughthenoise (aka Alantie on AO3) 🔒 - The Ambarussa have a discussion before the Fëanorians attack Sirion. I really like the characterization of Amrod and Amras in this fic! The way they decided to try to take responsibility for leading the attack in order to spare Maglor and Maedhros is heartbreaking but makes so much sense. I also had never considered how the situation with Eluréd and Elurín might have affected them, so it was interesting to read an interpretation of that!

Lands of the March by @cycas (aka bunn on AO3) - Maedhros discusses the lands and duties he has given to each of his brothers with Amrod and Amras. Quite an enjoyable oneshot! Maedhros is logical…but also quite caring, at the end of the day. I found myself smiling reading it!

Oh Makalaurë… by caeciliusestinforo - Maglor’s guilt over never going to find Maedhros in Thangorodrim causes him to neglect his health, which has consequences. I loved this fic. I’m a sucker for Maglor beating himself up over Maedhros’ torment and then coming to accept it, and Maglor’s desperation is depicted very well.

All the scars we can not see by waitingfover - Fingon has a flashback when he visits Himring. Awwww, poor Finno! Felt a lot of sympathy for him. It definitely felt like he didn’t really want to say what was going on, perhaps because it felt so obvious, but he did. Wish I could’ve given him a hug like Maedhros did.

i will not say the day is done by @southfarthing - Fingon and Maedhros avoid the conversation waiting to happen after Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim. SO angsty, so intense, and so good!!! Maedhros and Fingon both have such different viewpoints on what happened and the context surrounding it—it pulls on my heartstrings to see them both struggling, but it makes it all the more poignantly beautiful when they can finally face each other.

Mithrim by @warrioreowynofrohan (aka WarriorEowyn on AO3) - Maedhros has three conversations with different people after his rescue from Thangorodrim. Oh my gosh, this fic is so freaking GOOD! Maedhros and Fingon’s first interaction was so intense and so good (“I’m sorry—” “You’re sorry?” was absolutely iconic. I practically shrieked and had to stop reading for a moment to compose myself). The fic also has a good dose of Maglor guilt, which I’m always happy to read!

Non-Finwëons in Beleriand/Middle-Earth

An evening off by earthbound_misfit - Rog enjoys spending an evening with his friend Egalmoth after work. This was such a good oneshot! So refreshing and peaceful. It felt like having a home-cooked meal :) Lovely!

Sharp Things in the Way by @dawnfelagund - A character study of Daeron, of sorts. This fic is a beautiful mosaic of moments in Daeron’s life—it’s all so bittersweet and deep and full of twisting emotions, and I honestly feel a bit of pity for Daeron after reading it. I haven’t read many fics focused on him, but I really like this one. I thought his and Maglor’s dancing around each other and the musical techniques they shared and took from each other were particularly fascinating parts of the story.

Reflections on Injustice by @hwestalas - Túrin sees Beleg heal a march-warden, and he himself later has the chance to help Beleg heal. Sweet, and a little painful! I enjoyed it. Beleg as a healer and a warrior is awesome, and I liked reading Túrin’s shifting emotions.

see it fall, child of war by swanmaiden 🩸 - Elwing says goodbye to her children. If I had to use one word to describe this fic, it would be “heartbreaking.” I expected it to be painful, and it really, truly was. I teared up reading Elwing telling Elrond and Elros she loved them, and I could feel the fear and anguish felt by the elves around Elwing. This fic really made me feel the terrible weight of the Fëanorians attacking Sirion, which was meant to be a refuge, and I think it was meant to do that. Very well-written!

Among the reeds by Adlanth - Elwing, Tuor, and those of Edain heritage spend time together in Sirion. I absolutely LOVED this!!! This is one of the first fics I’ve read that focus on the Edain and their heritage. I feel like they tend to be less appreciated in fandom, in favor of the house of Finwë (although I’ve definitely seen fics and meta about the Númenoreans). In any case, this was a delightful fic; I really liked seeing the small community of humans grow together and share their culture and history (mainly of the house of Bëor). Beautiful.

LOTR/Hobbit Characters

In A Yellow Wood by @lordgrimwing - Modern AU where Thranduil, wife, and young Legolas go on a hike. SUPER super cute oneshot!! Really enjoyed it. I love how Thranduil and his wife play with Legolas!

The Castaway by warrioreowynofrohan (aka WarriorEowyn on AO3) - Legolas and Gimli meet a stranger as they prepare to sail to Valinor. Quite enjoyable! I loved the difference in Legolas and Gimli’s opinions regarding what they should do, and how Gimli’s perspective and compassion helped Legolas to consider his prejudices. The dialogue between all of the characters was excellent!

A Warg in Sheep’s Clothing by @arofili (aka starlightwalking on AO3) - Fíli and Kíli find an injured warg pup in the woods. This was such a wonderfully fun fic to read! There were a few sad moments for sure, but I love reading stories with Fíli and Kíli because their characters have such a youthful joy and hopefulness to them. I loved “Buddy” and dwarflings’ bond with him was so adorable! (Also, I love the title XD)

General/Misc

Shinystarship Has Invited You To Join A Zoom Conference! by jaz-the-bard *️⃣ - Elrond’s father figures make a plan for how they will support Elrond when he sails to Aman (by using modern technology in Arda). THIS IS HILARIOUS. I love it. The Zoom names are perfect. I’ve reread this a couple times and I laugh every time!

Wealth Enough of Joy by StarSpray - Elrond and Celebrían enjoy time with their newborn twins and more family. This was such a sweet, lovely fic. It has the feeling of a summer evening—which is appropriate, since the description is “Elladan and Elrohir are born at twilight in summer.” I actually drew a picture in my little sketchbook of what I thought Elrond and Celebrían’s room would look like!

Mercy by @nothinghereisworking (aka cuarthol) - Snapshots of Celegorm and Finrod. I haven’t read many fics centered on Celegorm and Finrod, and I really like this! Features scenes in Valinor, Beleriand, and then Valinor again. I love how it comes full-circle and how the meaning of mercy changes over the course of the story.

An Unexpected Friendship by StarSpray (featuring art from lidoshka) - Belladonna Took makes a friend. I didn’t realize how much I needed to read about Maglor interacting with hobbits until this fic—and it made me interested in more fics of the same ilk. This particular one was SO much fun, and I loved how much hobbit culture StarSpray got into. I also really enjoyed Maglor’s and the hobbits’ characterization, too. The art of Maglor and Belladonna is adorable!

To Justify Your Existence by jaz-the-bard 🩸 - Maedhros meets his father and brothers in Mandos and braces himself for the worst. Delightfully angsty! Poor, poor Maedhros. The self-blame is off the charts in this one, whew. The emotional climax is so fulfilling!

AUs

stare death in the face (and never back down) by @oopsbirdficced (aka ingenious_spark on AO3) 🔒🩸 - Instead of returning to Gondolin when Sauron lets him go, Maeglin escapes…and runs into some relatives. This is such a cool AU/twist on what happened in canon! Lots of feeeeels—poor Maeglin. However, I love that he found [spoiler] and that they all essentially took one look at him and decided to adopt him XD

Retaliatory Kidnapping by darkfrozenabyss - Elwing decides that kidnapping the re-embodied Fëanorian twins (Amrod and Amras) might let her make a trade with Maglor and Maedhros for her own sons. This may have been the first fic I read by darkfrozenabyss! It’s so enjoyable and engaging. I loved Elwing taking matters into her own hands and being determined to rescue her sons, as well as the reluctant friendship that began to take root between her and the Ambarussa. Great ending, too! An all-around fantastic story.

Less scary than before by waitingfover - Maedhros is feeling homesick at college and receives a package (modern AU). I seriously enjoyed this oneshot! It filled me with so much warmth, and it reminded me of my family sending me things in college :) I love how each member of Maedhros’ family sent him something that showed how they loved him/thought of him, each in their own unique way.

Wayward Son by @thescrapwitch🩸 - After being re-embodied, Fëanor sets out on a mission to find his second son. This was sweet! I really enjoyed it. Fëanor’s dedication to loving and caring for Maglor is wonderful.

Where the Heart Is by mynameisjessejk *️⃣ - Amarië does not let Finrod go to Beleriand without her. A very cool AU where Amarië goes to Beleriand! We love to see it. I really like how it changes things and how the politics are different throughout Beleriand as a result.

Battle of Sudden Song by AeolianSands - Maglor encounters Sauron and recalls his cousin Finrod. I absolutely LOVE how this is written. I am SUCH a fan of Maglor using Song and living up to his name and reputation! This was so deliciously wonderful.

who could ask to be unbroken (or to be brave again) by @piyo13sdoodles - Tauriel meets a lone elf on the plains of Rhovanion and becomes friends with the mysterious singer. I really like reading “Maglor makes friends with people after being on his own” fics, and this one was so sweet! I enjoyed Tauriel’s curiosity and spirit, as well as how Maglor cares for her. Their relationship is wonderful, and I love how they grow into being each others’ family. It’s a beautiful story :)

Tumblr Oneshots

Wet Boots by @amethysttribble - Baby Maedhros is playing, and Uncle Nolofinwë comes to find him. So fluffy and adorable and silly and SWEET! I love baby Maedhros, and this is one of my go-to fluff fics. (There’s also a super cute fanart/comic of this floating around somewhere—I thought I had saved it but I can’t find it. If I ever do, I’ll add it here.)

Finrod and baby Galadriel in Valinor by @actual-bill-potts (aka oswinry on AO3) - Galadriel wakes up Finrod. SO FREAKING CUTE. I LOVED this little oneshot so much. Tiny Galadriel is super adorable and big brother Finrod is just as adorable. Fluff level 3000.

Multi-Chapter Fics

The following multi-chapter fics are all complete (or have not been updated since 2022), and they all have more than one chapter. If any are incomplete, I will note that.

Girl in Middle-Earth & Modern AUs

Pathology by @wild-houseplant (aka appalled.elf on FanFiction.net) ⚠️ 🩸 - A therapist ends up in Middle-Earth and builds a life in Rivendell. This was one of the first fics I read in 2023, and what a wonderful way to start the year!! I absolutely LOVED reading this fic. This was one of those fics that kept me up late and had me glued to my screen whenever I could spare time to read it. I love its central themes of friendship, grieving, and healing. The relationships that develop between Rhodri and the various Middle-Earth characters felt so real and healthy, and it was simply so wonderful to read! The author adds a lot of notes and information about the mental health care that Rhodri, the main character, provides, which is fantastic. Also, the character-lands-in-Middle-Earth plotline is handled quite well, in my opinion; questions that usually arise with that kind of plot were answered and explained in ways that made sense and added to the story.

(Warnings: There is plenty of language/swearing, a bit of violence [not super graphic, to my memory], and a few smut scenes; the author usually warns ahead of time if there will be any smut, and it’s fairly easy to tell when things are going that direction, so you can skip it if you don’t want to read it, like me. Also, the link I have included is to the fic on FanFiction.net, which is much more updated than the fic on AO3; there are 107 chapters on FanFiction.net as opposed to 29 on AO3. However, the version on AO3 is rated as E, while the one on FanFiction.net is rated as M, just so the reader is aware. I first found it on FanFiction.net, which is why I did not realize it was rated E before I read it, and if you skip the E-rated scenes like I did, I believe it would be considered rated M.)

This fic is incomplete—the last time it was updated was in November of 2022—but the reader is not left on a terrible cliffhanger.

Don’t Panic! by boz4PM - A more realistic "girl-falls-into-Middle-Earth" story. Quite entertaining and interesting! This is a spin on the typical “girl gets transported to Middle-Earth and everything is amazing” story, where things are a lot more realistic: there’s a language barrier, there aren’t high standards of cleanliness, there’s no indoor plumbing…the works! I read basically all of it in one night. I love how Penny and Halbarad’s relationship develops, and it’s fun seeing Penny learn to fit in with elves! There’s also a sequel, which is great too. (Warnings: General…gross-ness, I guess, lol! Also, there’s a LOT of swearing, especially in the first several chapters. This does calm down though.)

Ten Weeks of the Terribles by troiaspider - Maglor is forced to babysit his younger brothers while his parents and Maedhros are away for several weeks (modern AU). I really enjoyed this fic! Didn’t want to put it down. It was so fun, and I laughed several times. It also had many touching moments that I didn’t expect, and I found myself smiling at various moments.

In Valinor pre-kinslaying #1

Make You Pretty by @theladyvanya - Vanifinwë, the only daughter and youngest child of Fëanor, likes doing makeovers for her older brothers, which leads to some…interesting results. This fic is SO CUTE!!! I love how the brothers all give in and allow their baby sister to play with them, even if they know they look extremely bizarre by the end. And when [spoiler] is the only one who is actually truly upset by the game, it does get resolved by the end of the story. The fic is quite humorous and sweet!

Trial and Error by waitingfover - Each of the young Finwëons tries to bake something for their family, with varying results. Adorable set of oneshots! I like how the nature of each of the baking incidents matches the elfling or peredhel that is attempting to make something :)

In Valinor post-kinslaying #1

The Host of the West by mynameisjessejk - Finrod is re-embodied in Valinor. Oh my goodness, this was so good. I loved the exploration of Finrod’s emotions (and how being re-embodied affected him physically as well!) after coming back to life. The tension between him and his parents/those who did not know him in Beleriand felt very palpable, and my heart broke for him multiple times throughout the story. The resolution at the end was touching, and I felt reassured that things would look up for the characters as time went on beyond the ending of the story.

Memento Pugna (Remember, You Must Fight) by sweetteaanddragons (aka Drag0nst0rm on AO3) - Fëanor is re-embodied in Valinor, but from the very start, things are bound to go sideways. This was a great read! I loved the characterization and relationship development throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the chaos and shenanigans that happened. The story is quite hilarious at times and touching and angsty at others!

To save a life by waitingfover 🩸 - Fëanor is re-embodied in Valinor, and he has to deal with several hostile family members and other problems. Really great! It’s quite interesting, and I loved how Fëanor’s character developed over the course of the story, and how he comes to prioritize family over his own desires and pride. I also really liked how the plot changed and how various characters were introduced and included! (Warnings: There is a scene with mention of sexual abuse and a traumatized character expecting further abuse, and a brief scene of physical child abuse by a crowd of unnamed characters.)

More than the Stars Above by sweetteaanddragons (aka Drag0nst0rm on AO3) - Elrond visits his father, Eärendil, in Valinor. This is one of my favorite fics centered around Elrond and Eärendil. Their interactions here are so well-written and so spot-on! I like the alternating point of view, and I simply love how their relationship was portrayed.

The Ransom of the House of Fëanor by @eirianerisdar - Elrond petitions the Valar to return Maedhros and Maglor (and their brothers and father) from the Void. Oh my goodness. This fic broke my heart in the best way. SO. MUCH. ANGST. AND. FEELS. AAAAAGHH. I could see a lot of the different emotional situations coming, which made it even more angsty when they finally hit. I kept having to pause and stop reading because TOO MANY FEELS A;SLDKFJALF. Highly recommend if you want Elrond angst (and just angst in general).

The Last Ember by eirianerisdar - Nerdanel and Fëanor begin to reconcile in Valinor (compliant to The Ransom of the House of Fëanor but can be read separately). I absolutely love this Nerdanel-and-Fëanor-work-things-out-in-Valinor fic!!! Nerdanel’s vacillating emotions were so palpable and real, and both her and Fëanor’s characterization was wonderful. The pacing was done quite well, and I love how things ended :)

Rising as if Weightless by StarSpray - Elwing’s brothers return to life in Valinor. This was such a wonderful, feels-y fic! Elwing’s emotions throughout pulled on my heartstrings—and Eluréd and Elurín were so sweet. I loved meeting so many characters who were important to Elwing, and I really enjoyed the storyline. I couldn’t put this fic down!

In Beleriand & Middle-Earth

Family Reunions by Drapa *️⃣ - Finrod brings his human friend Bëor with him to a family reunion. I don’t think I have ever laughed more at a fic than I have at this one. I fondly remember sitting down to a bowl of soup and some bread for dinner and opening this fic because the premise looked promising…and then proceeding to nearly spit out my soup multiple times while reading. Finrod’s over-the-top behavior, the miscommunications and misunderstandings, the hijinks, and the ridiculousness of all of it was just way too funny. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for some humor (or even if you aren’t).

Refuge by hwestalas - Maglor comes to Maedhros at Himring and does his best to hide that he is injured; this goes unsuccessfully. I absolutely love the interactions between Maglor and Maedhros in this fic. They are so filled with affection and teasing and the gentle kind of pushing between siblings, and it makes me so happy to read, even though they are dealing with war and deaths of their people. The love they have for each other and their siblings—and their people, too—is clear as day. It’s a lovely hurt/comfort fic, and one that I’ve reread a few times. Wonderful read!

This Taste of Shadow (SPECIFICALLY the Caranthir x Haleth chapters) by Mira_Jade - Caranthir and Haleth meet and slowly but surely fall for each other. I didn’t realize how much I needed a fic that took the question “what would it look like if Caranthir and Haleth really truly decided to get married, and not just in the elvish way [aka, through having sex], but to commit to each other until the end?” seriously and chose to explore it. I literally was obsessing over this fic for three to five days after I read it. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. This is one of the most well-written, satisfying, thorough Caranthir x Haleth fics I’ve ever read; the story is deeply emotionally engaging, and I loved it. Mira-Jade is phenomenal at exploring characters and really understanding them on a fundamental level, and how their relationships play out with other characters. And while it’s her interpretation, it feels very real and true-to-text. (Note: This is specifically a rec for the Caranthir x Haleth chapters; the entire work is a series of ficlets and oneshots that largely make up out-of-order story arcs. The link to each chapter can be found in the index/first "chapter" of the fic, which is linked above. I have not read the rest of the work, so I don’t know if there are any warnings I should give for other chapters. The tags do indicate that there is romantic!Russingon in the fic—there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference in the Halenthir chapters, but otherwise none. Also, warning for a version of Celegorm who lives up to the epithet “Celegorm the Cruel.”)

Of Bright Stars and Dark Skies by @katinkacassio (aka CassioP on AO3) - The Fëanorians attack Sirion and take the twins, which leads to the twins living at Amon Ereb. This was one of my favorite kidnap fam fics I read this year! The characterization was well done, and I will always enjoy tropes like Elrond and Elros running off and Maedhros and Maglor having to search for them. Elrond and Elros are wonderful, and both parties opening up slowly to each other was heartrending and sweet.

Maglor Plays For His People After Doriath by Himring - Maglor contemplates Doriath and plays a lament for his people. Quite enjoyable—the contemplative nature of this fic is beautiful. I liked how Maglor considers what his people need and what he plays for them, and his memories of meeting Daeron at Mereth Aderthad were amusing and sweet. This fic really conveys deep a sense of wistful mourning.

Generally Interesting Lives by @glorf1ndel - A collection of oneshots for Tolkien Gen Week 2023. I love how unique these are and how each one of them stands out! I really liked the vibe of the stories—they were easy to read and the characters’ “voices” and personalities are strong. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about Maedhros and Lúthien, Huan and Oromë, and Galadriel and Bill the pony!

I need you more than ever right now by @senalishia - Elwing and Eärendil weather Elwing’s pregnancy with their twins. I love how this fic explored Elwing and Eärendil’s relationship, their personalities, and their perspectives on their responsibilities and having children! It’s compelling and well-paced. Also, I really liked the OC healer Curunada’s curious yet brusque nature! (Warnings: Childbirth, which is a little graphic)

General/Misc

Of starlight, s’mores and misadventures by waitingfover - A collection of oneshots about elflings and their adventures. These oneshots are SO CUTE and occasionally come with a serving of angst at the end with a flash-forward. A few of them are angsty in general, but the majority are just adorable, fluffy stories. If you ever need fluff, you will find it here! Also, this fic is how I finally got all of the Quenya names of the House of Finwë ingrained into my mind XD waitingfover uses them a lot in the story and provides lists of the names at the start of chapters, so that was super helpful! (Note: This fic is still being updated, but not on a regular basis, which is why I put it in the multi-chapter fics section instead of the in-progress section.)

As the Tides Flow by @starshipsilmaril 🩸 - The story of Maglor’s life, from start to finish. I loved it! Starshipsilmaril does a great job with Maglor's emotions, and Maglor’s love story and family were so sweet. Telumë is a wonderful character, and she and Maglor fit together quite well, I think. Definitely gets more angsty as the story goes on, which is expected. Great read! (Warnings: Silm-typical violence, not super graphic [to my memory] but it’s there. Also, The fic outright says that Maglor and Telumë have sex, and there are a couple paragraphs where things are described a little, but it can be easily skipped and I would not consider it explicit. It’s also pretty easy to see coming—it’s on the wedding night.)

Some Wild Thing by warrioreowynofrohan (aka WarriorEowyn on AO3)🩸 - Aredhel’s story, from Valinor to Beleriand. I love this exploration of Aredhel’s personality and character. The small snapshots and snatches of dialogue that relate the bigger picture are beautifully written, and Aredhel’s fiery personality shines through so well. I also really liked the depiction of her and Eöl (and Maeglin!)—it felt real and the way things subtly changed for the worse over time was chilling. Great read!

To Safety by jaz-the-bard - Young Elrond and Elros get transported to the Years of the Trees in Valinor and encounter their captors once again. I seriously love this story—I felt so bad for Elrond and Elros, and I felt sympathetic towards a bewildered Maedhros and Maglor (or should I say, Maitimo and Makalaurë). It’s fantastic! I’ve reread this at least 3 times XD

In a Field of Blood and Bone by @theheirofashandfire (aka ScribeofArda on AO3)🩸 - The Battle of the Five Armies, from the point of view of the elves. This was fantastic! It was awesome to read the events from a totally different perspective; the elves (and Bard!) come at the situation with different motivations, needs, and hopes for the future than the dwarves and Bilbo, and I think that ScribeofArda handled that very well. I loved the OCs Belhadron and Rhovaniel; they felt very whole and fleshed out, and it made me wish they were in the actual story so I could read more about them. Also, Legolas and Thranduil’s relationship was so sweet, and I love how much Thranduil loves Legolas even though he doesn’t outright show it much. (Warnings: Battle violence, as can be expected from a fic that’s about the Battle of the Five Armies.)

AUs

What once was mine by waitingfover - Maglor is given a second chance to go back and change things, starting at Losgar. What a great fic! I had the privilege to follow this fic from start to completion, and I loved getting updates. The changes—or lack thereof—were quite fascinating to read! This story features a strong dose of Maglor dealing with guilt and depression, which was heartbreaking but also understandable (and, as per usual, I ate it up with a spoon). This one of my favorite AUs!

The Rescue Party by AeolianSands - Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin decide to travel to Middle-Earth and save their children before the Doom of Mandos takes them. Really enjoyed this! Quite humorous, with some sweet touches of fluff and some angsty bits. There’s LOTS of chaos and things happening at the same time, and it reminded me of a contemporary fantasy story where all these plotlines are overlapping! There were lots of twists and turns I didn't expect, which was super fun.

Waiting for Dawn by theheirofashandfire (aka ScribeofArda on AO3) 🩸 - The Fellowship of the Ring finds Maedhros alive in the aftermath of the Battle of Pelennor Fields. I love “Maedhros-and-or-Maglor-are-alive-in-the-Third-Age” fics, and this one is quite well-written! I absolutely adore Pippin in this fic; his compassion and sprightliness are so in-character and it’s amazing to read. The rest of the hobbits are delightful as well. There’s also a serving of kidnap fam with a good amount of angst and feels :) Gotta love Maedhros being healed (against his will) and coming to accept that he wants to live! (Warnings: There’s somewhat graphic descriptions of the aftermath of the battle and torture, and there is a very disturbing injury in the first chapter that was done by torture. Additionally, Maedhros is suicidal for a while.)

Say NO To Shiny (And Other Valuable Life Lessons) by @fflewddur-feanorion *️⃣ - Maglor joins the Fellowship of the Ring! As soon as I saw the description of this fic, I immediately knew I had to read it. It is absolutely HILARIOUS. I laughed so much! I enjoyed the more casual, less serious characterization of the Fellowship and felt both amusement and sadness towards Maglor at different moments. The story also features Fëanorion brother shenanigans and some epic Song awesomeness!

Little Bird by darkfrozenabyss - Elwing is lost in the woods of Doriath instead of Eluréd and Elurín, and Amras Fëanorion finds her. Oh my goodness, this one pulls on my heartstrings. It’s beautiful and sad and amazing all at once. I loved Amras as a father, and I felt so much for Elwing, having to be so grown-up so young. I also didn’t expect Eluréd and Elurín’s characterization (though it does make sense) and it made me upset for Elwing. I loved reading about her learning about her birth culture and about her relationship with Eärendil. I also liked how the story ended!

Accidently on Purpose by waitingfover - Curufin accidentally turns Finrod into a younger version of himself. I read this almost all in one sitting and it was delightful. I’ve already reread it once or twice since finding it!! The characterizations and handling of the plot were amazing, and baby Finrod was SUUUUPER cute.

The Ghost of Erebor by @mistergandalf (aka ItalianHobbit on FanFiction.net and AO3) 🩸 - In an “everyone lives” AU, Fíli has intense trauma to work through from the Battle of the Five Armies—but nobody knows what happened to him. *slaps roof of fic* This bad boy can fit so much angst in it. Soooo much angst! Fíli is so traumatized and it’s heartbreaking to read. Kíli and Thorin’s attempts to help Fíli are also heartwrenching; they care about him so much, and their worry is so palpable. And of course, the pressing needs of running a kingdom and having an heir don’t make the situation any better. This kind of story is right in ItalianHobbit’s wheelhouse!

Series

Lengthening Shadows series by waitingfover 🩸 - What if Maglor went to bargain with Morgoth instead of Maedhros? This is a fantastic concept and I loveloveLOVE it! The way things go differently is so interesting, and it opens up a whole new dimension of feelings for the characters to experience (especially Maedhros and Maglor). I really like the inclusion of the other Finwëons in the story too. Go give this series some love, these stories are some of waitingfover’s earliest Tolkien works and they’re great!

Sons of the Star series by brievel (most fics in the series are open to all readers, but a few are locked 🔒) 🩸 - This is the “Sons of Fëanor as a biker gang” AU that you never knew you needed. I certainly didn’t know I needed it. But I LOVE it. Brievel is still writing the series and I’m enjoying it! I love the characterization of the Fëanorians as tough and scrappy criminals, but with generally good hearts (especially Max). I get excited every time a new installment comes out. I also highly recommend Óhchikaape, an in-progress story [at the time of this writing], which is set in (mostly) the same universe. (Warnings: There's a lot of violence, and many of the stories deal with heavy topics.)

Maglor is an Eldritch Horror series by thescrapwitch *️⃣ - Speaking of AUs you never knew you needed, the name says it all: Maglor is an eldritch horror. The vibe is “cozy horror,” which I love; I’m not really a horror fan, but the ‘monster’ is on the good guys’ side, and I think that’s what makes it the good kind of scary. Most of the stories in this series are oneshots of Maglor and various characters living in Rivendell, but other characters come in from time to time. This series is mostly complete, but every so often theScrap_Witch has another idea and I get an update to this series in my inbox (which always gets me flailing with excitement). (Warnings: If you’re particularly squeamish or super sensitive to horror/any scary things, you may want to proceed with caution. However, I will say that I’m fairly sensitive to that, and I could just skim past any things that squicked me out—but there have barely been any.)

Return to Aman series by cycas (aka bunn on AO3) - Maglor sails with Elrond, Bilbo, Frodo, and Gandalf to Valinor. Oh. my. gosh. These were stories. SO well-written!!! I devoured every bit of them, and I think I need to reread them because I inhaled them crazy fast the first time around! (I’ve already reread a few out of order, but they work so well together as an arc and I would love to reread it again fully.) There’s so much that gets explored, the characterization is great, and overall the stories are just absolutely DELIGHTFUL. There are 15 fics in the series, and most are oneshots.

Nossecilmë series by fingonsradharp 🔒🩸*️⃣ - Oneshots of the kidnap fam. These are pretty cute (with a bit of angst from time to time)! I particularly enjoyed Little Stars and Nightingale. (Warnings: 🩸 only applies to the oneshot "Little Stars" for kidnappers physically abusing Elrond & Elros.)

Of Half-elven Children and the Difficulties that Result series by waitingfover - Kidnap fam oneshots. This collection of kidnap fam oneshots is so wonderful! These range from full-on angst to pure fluff, and there’s a whole bunch.

Old Maggie Took series by @tanoraqui (aka NevillesGran on AO3) - “Maggie Took” (aka Maglor) has become a friend to those in the Shire. A delightfully fun and touching series! There’s two works and both are simply fantastic. The first is centered around fighting ‘Sharkey’ when he comes to the Shire; I found myself grinning, cheering for “Maggie,” and alternating between laughing and going “awww” at the hobbits and Gandalf. The second story is about a going-away party held for those sailing west, and it gave me the exact feeling I get from being at a good, fun party with friends: celebratory and joyful in the best way.

In-Progress Stories

These are ones that are unfinished that I've really enjoyed and I hope get updated in 2024!

(Also, for any of the authors who see that I’ve included their in-progress fic, please don’t feel pressured to update—me saying that I'm looking forward to more is simply meant to let you know that I like the story and would love to read more if/when you update.)

Daughters of Therindë by darkfrozenabyss - Nerdanel and her 2 daughter-in-laws go back in time to prevent the kinslayings, but they accidentally bring someone along with them that they weren’t expecting: Haleth. You guys. I am glued to this fic. I get ridiculously excited every time I see an update in my inbox; I love it so much and go back every so often to reread my favorite parts of the chapters (and sometimes just end up rereading most of or the entirety of the fic). The characterization is great, and the plot is super fascinating! The tension between Haleth and Caranthir is highly entertaining, and I eat up every bit of Caranthir’s brothers’ teasing with a spoon like it’s ice cream. You will also find me screeching and grinning like a fool at every emotional moment I come across. I seriously enjoy this fic so much!

Óhchikaape by brievel and The_Anonymous_Coauthor 🩸 - Set in the Sons of the Star universe (read about the Sons of the Star series in the Series section); Riser Way [aka Celegorm, for the uninitiated] wasn’t intending to be a dad…but it seems this scrawny, sassy Native American kid is in need of a parental figure, whether either of them like it or not. I am absolutely LOVING this story and get excited over every update. I’ve stayed up late multiple times to read the newest chapter that’s been posted, and I’m 100% sure that I will do it again, given the chance. I love how Riser and Nikki’s relationship develops over the course of the story. There’s a lot of humor and heartwrenching moments, and some serious and soft moments as well. If you aren’t familiar with Sons of the Star, I definitely suggest you read some or all of the series to get an idea of who the Way brothers are, because they (especially Riser and Ken) are primary characters in Óhchikaape. This story is now one chapter away from being done and I'm super excited for the next installment of the series! (Warnings: The story features violence, and it deals with heavy topics, including trafficking and child abuse.)

if somebody loved you, they'd tell you by now by @aurorapillar (aka auroracode on AO3) - Maeglin escapes Gondolin. I’ve been really enjoying this one! auroracode writes Maeglin so, so well—it breaks my heart to see him so traumatized, but it feels very real, and I feel proud of the progress he’s made so far! I also really love how [spoiler] interacts with him and helps him feel safe. I’m excited to see where this fic goes, and it’s been cool to read it from the beginning.

Identity Theft by waitingfover - Eluréd and Elurín come out of the halls of Mandos and are given to Nerdanel by a Maia who implies that the twins are Celegorm’s children; this most certainly does NOT cause any problems in the future ;) If this fic had an alternate title, I think it should be called something like “Olórin Makes a Habit of Kidnapping Elves” 😂  Because (slight spoiler) it’s something that happens multiple times throughout the story and always causes chaos! Anyway, this bad boy has 80-something chapters and is still going strong. The plot of the fic mutates throughout, but it is largely focused on Celegorm and his adventures, with lots of cameos from various Noldor and Sindar elves. I started reading it back in March, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing Celegorm’s character development as the story has progressed!

The Harrowing by @chthonion 🔒 ⚠️ *️⃣ 🩸- Sauron comes back to life from the Void and brings the Fëanorians with him. This fic has such a cool premise: Sauron being reembodied along with the sons of Fëanor and learning how to Be a Good Person™️ and Do Life™️ with all our favorite characters in Valinor. It does feature Silvergifting (Sauron x Celebrimbor), which I virtually never read because I’m not a fan of them together (in large part because the ship tends to remind me of unwanted stuff from my past); that being said, the fic isn’t just about Sauron and Celebrimbor. It’s mainly about Sauron and the house of Finwë (and Frodo!) learning to coexist with each other and heal from the past. Chthonion’s writing is fantastic, and I love the interactions between the characters. (I particularly enjoyed Finrod and Sauron’s first conversation.) I’ve really enjoyed reading this fic! (Warning: There is a little smut, but only in chapter 16, I believe; I’ve skimmed and/or given a fairly wide berth to most Celebrimbor-Sauron one-on-one interactions to protect my mental health, so there may be more that I’m not aware of.)

Not About Owing by dreamingthroughthenoise (aka Alantie on AO3) 🔒 - Finrod and Amarië come to rescue Maglor on the beach. If there was an alternate title for this fic, I would vote “The One Where Maglor Gets Loved.” All of the characters are determined to make sure Maglor knows that they care about him and want him in their lives, and it’s so delightful. I also love the strong themes of redemption that are woven throughout, and there’s a deliciously dramatic scene with Eärendil that I practically screamed at. Each of the characters and their relationships feel so real and well-fleshed out, and it’s just lovely to read!

The Longest Night by mistergandalf (aka ItalianHobbit on FanFiction.net and AO3) 🩸 - A mysterious creature has attacked a village near Ered Luin, and Thorin Oakenshield and his nephews go to help. I’ve read all of ItalianHobbit’s Tolkien fics, and as I expected, this fic has got lots of whump, even for just 4 chapters so far! ;) It’s so very angsty and I’m eating it up with a spoon. I always enjoy reading Durin family fics—I just love their relationship and I really love how ItalianHobbit writes them. The link to the fic I put above is to the fic on FanFiction.net, but it is also posted on AO3.

When mercy stayed his blade by BarbieBlue - Maglor and Maedhros take Elrond and Elros with them after the Fëanorians attack Sirion. This is one of my favorite multi-chapter kidnap fam fics I’ve found! It’s got a lot of emotion and a fair amount of angst—it’s not super fluffy. I really like Maedhros and Maglor’s characterization in this one; they aren’t totally falling apart, but they’ve definitely got their issues, and BarbieBlue doesn’t shy away from that. I feel a lot for Elrond and Elros, who are certainly quite traumatized. Seeing the trust slowly developing between them and the Fëanorions is sweet, and I enjoy reading the dynamics between all of the characters.

we will make this place our home by @leucisticpuffin - Elrond and Elros get sent to live with their distant relatives Maglor and Maedhros Finuion. This fic is basically ‘The Secret Garden meets kidnap fam’! It is such a lovely story. I devoured most of it one time when I was up late (I had told myself that I really shouldn’t start a fic that had 40-something chapters at 2 am…but then found myself falling asleep at 4:30 am as I was reading. As soon as my eyes were open the next morning, I kept reading until I caught up!). I love the setting and all the little details that make the story work so well, and it’s really fun to read Silm characters in the mode of 1970s England. There’s a few OCs that help fill out the cast, and I enjoy their personalities and how they add to the story.

Less Wise and More Dangerous by DeepWatersWaiting 🩸 - Legolas is mysteriously transported to the First Age and runs into Fëanor and his sons. Great story, compelling and very well-written! I felt a lot of sympathy for Legolas, being plonked down in First Age Beleriand and facing people who he knew would kill his kin in the future. I like the development of the friendships he started forming (especially with Celebrimbor!), and I’ve been rooting for him as he’s been navigating the strange situation he is in. (Side note: anyone remember the AO3 shutdown back in July? This is what I was reading when that happened, lol.) (Warnings: There’s some graphic violence and injury/illness.)

Life After Death by actual-bill-potts (aka oswinry on AO3) 🔒 - Finarfin and his wife welcome Finrod after he returns from Mandos. So so so SO good. Oswinry writes SUCH good Arafinwëan fic. So carefully handled and well-written, and you can truly feel Finarfin’s desperate love and care for his son and his family. It fills a place in my heart I didn’t know was empty until I read the fic. (There have also been a few updates on Tumblr, too! Check out "my writing" and/or "silm fic" tags)

Yet Open Once Again Your Heart by @luteoflorien 🩸 - Maedhros has a breakdown, and Maglor realizes the twins are not as fragile as he thought. This one’s super heartwrenching, and I love it. The way Maglor treats Maedhros when he’s having his panic attack/breakdown/trauma-induced flashback is so well-done, and I really liked how the brothers had learned how to help each other on those bad days. The exchanges between Maglor and the twins (and between just Maglor and Elrond) are so raw and full of emotion, and Elrond himself is so wise and sweet.

What Was Sauron Thinking? by Chisscientist - Sauron is defeated…but it seems that in the process, he turned Gil-Galad into a child. The premise is so fascinating, and smol!Gil-Galad is adorable! I at turns find myself amused by him and want to give him a hug. The characterization is great, and I feel for Gil-Galad, having been unexpectedly turned into a child with memories of his adult self. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes, and I’m glad Gil-Galad has friends/guardians around him who care for him!

Misc & Non-Tolkien Fics

Tolkien fics that don't fit into other categories:

The Silmarillion Rewrite by Jenavira - A rewrite/summary of The Silmarillion in modern language. Amazing. It was quite an enjoyable read, and it honestly helped me remember a lot of Silm characters! I think this was one of the main fics that inspired me to reread The Silmarillion again this year. I laughed several times, and I often loved the wording or phrasing of certain things that happened. (Warnings: There’s a lot of language/swearing, and there’s Silm-typical violence and trauma that happens.)

Never A Monster He Couldn’t Love by luteoflorien 🩸 - Harry Potter/Silmarillion crossover fic where Newt Scamander finds a new humanoid creature to befriend and care for, and Maglor finds a human who believes he is worthy of care and love. I absolutely adore the friendship that develops between Newt and Maglor. I’ve never read Fantastic Beasts fanfics before, despite being in the Harry Potter fandom, but luteoflorien’s Newt feels so incredibly in-character and it makes me want more. He is so kind and caring and curious, and he is exactly the type of person Maglor needs in his life to start healing from his past. luteoflorien’s writing, characterization, and handling of all the mental/emotional issues the characters go through is phenomenal, and the feels are off the charts. (Warnings: Maglor struggles with his severe trauma, and sometimes self-harms.)

Non-Tolkien fics:

hear you calling from some lost and distant shore by @sighonaraa - Loki meets Thor after the events of Avengers: Endgame (mostly compliant with the Loki TV series). Marvel fandom. This was EXACTLY what I needed after the ending of season 2 of Loki. So, so good. The banter between Thor and Loki, and also Valkyrie/Brunhilde’s character was great—the brothers care SO much about each other, and it's wonderful to read.

Lemon Cake by @afaroffsong 🔒 - Rosalind needs to make a cake for Jane’s birthday. Penderwicks fandom. I seriously enjoyed this fic! It's amazingly well-written—it felt to me like it could've come right out of the books! So lovely.

I mentioned this at the start, but I wanted to reiterate because I truly am very grateful: I want to give a massive thank-you to all of the fic authors, all of the people posting meta, all of the artists out there. I was inspired to re-read The Silmarillion (for the third time) this year, and I highly doubt I would’ve been able to actually get myself to do that without all of the amazing stories and musings and art out there that drove me back to the canon we all love. So thank you ❤️

And thank you to all who read this far XD Hope you enjoy some (or all!) of these fics!

[403tarot]

NSFW READING: seonghwa X anonymous in bed

WARNING: explicit content ahead. for +18 users only !

yes i'm showing off my bias. why? because he is WILD and because i can xddd

content taken out from a tarot romantic reading of seonghwa and anonymous.

in the part of the reading about how seonghwa would see you, we were already given a preview that he would be very sexually attracted to you, and that the chemistry between you two would be very intense. here in the part about how your sex life would be, it becomes explicit again that you would awaken the wildest side of an aries with mars in aries. you would make his personality change completely, and then his behavior would switch from one extreme to another: the sweet, caring, and always careful boyfriend you would have would cease to exist as soon as he touched you in that way – he would come to you like a hurricane.

ravenous, possessive, the sweet little kisses he would want to give you would turn into bites. seonghwa wouldn't want to take his hands off you – he would run them all over your body to feel you, grip you, leaving his marks on your skin. you would feel very pampered by him, and even though he wouldn't show much tenderness at that moment, it would be a mutual exchange for you – despite him being a bit rough, he's not selfish, and he would leave you with trembling legs anyway.

i don't view him as the type to tease you; seonghwa would go straight to the point. the way you would make him feel would leave him impatient and with no time to play around; he would want to get deep inside you right away. i also don't get a power dynamic here (like him being in charge or you). to be honest, i think it would be so overwhelming that you wouldn't even have time to think about these dominance and submission things, also because it wouldn't be necessary – you both would be all over each other.

he would like to make a mess — seonghwa gets sweaty on his own very easily and at this moment there would be no reason to be any different. it wouldn't bother him or you, in fact these things with body fluids could make you both even more excited. he could be the type to try to prolong this fuck as long as possible because he doesn't want it to end and, when it ends, he's already anxious thinking about when you're going to do it again. he has great stamina and would want to do it several times because just once isn't enough to make his desire to calm down.

one thing about you that would draw attention to him would be your boobs and your thighs, but especially your boobs, he could have something like a fixation on them. he could ask you to stay in bed showing off in just your panties and passing your hands on them so Seonghwa could appreciate them. you could play with his possessiveness and use it against him, for example writing his name on your boobs... if you do that he would freak out, the end of his mental health (lmao)

in the end, when everything would be over, you would be cuddled up. he wouldn't be one to do very elaborate aftercare; you both would be utterly exhausted, so you would prefer to stay quietly, gazing at the ceiling without having a coherent thought for a while.

you can get a personalized reading with seonghwa or any idol of your choice ! check my pinned to know more !

i promise i also know how to take cute readings, check how would be the perfect date with seonghwa [short version] here XD

[yanderecrazysie]

Dark Horse (Yandere Barbarian Bakugou)

A request from my Quotev!

I’m not entirely sure how to write barbarians, so it might sound a little like a pirate- please forgive me XD

Title: Dark Horse

Pairings: Barbarian!Bakugou x Fairy! Reader

WARNINGS: Yandere themes, mentions of violence (not towards reader), Bakugou let her go you jerk

Summary: Bakugou is a bloodthirsty human and, you, a sweet animal-loving fairy. Can you really expect a barbarian to move on without you?

“So you wanna play with magic?

Boy, you should know what you're fallin' for

Baby, do you dare to do this?

'Cause I'm coming at you like a dark horse

Are you ready for, ready for

A perfect storm, perfect storm?

'Cause once you're mine, once you're mine

There's no going back”

-From “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry

It was no secret that Bakugou was a killer. A bloodthirsty beast of a man. A barbarian.

He lived his days like a carnivorous animal- ripping and tearing others apart for his own gain. Betraying his own comrades if necessary, killing his enemies with a savage, sadistic grin. Notoriously known throughout the world as a merciless monster. The only thing he cared about was wealth and materialistic treasures he took as his own by threats or his blade.

At least, that’s what he thought.

He was sure his heart had rotten away and numbed to every human emotion long, long ago.

But then he saw you.

At first he’d thought you were just another village girl but, one day, when he’d been napping under a tree on a hill overlooking a meadow, he’d discovered that you were much more.

You sang a song with words he couldn’t understand, and beautiful wings sprouted from your back. All of the animals in the area, even ones he hadn’t seen before, ran or flew to you at full speed and waited for your attention.

After gently stroking the fur, feathers, and scales of each creature, you began to glow brightly, shrinking down to the size of a small mouse as your wings grew even larger. If Bakugou hadn’t watched you transform, he’d assume he was just seeing a particularly beautiful butterfly.

At first, Bakugou was content to watch. He discovered that you did this multiple times a day and he tried to be present for each transformation. He discovered that you glowed at night. He discovered that you could talk to the animals that surrounded you.

He discovered that you made his heart twist and soar in ways he didn’t think was possible.

Was it fascination that drove him to watch you? Magic was something many barbarians sought to control to multiply their powers. And fantasy creatures like you were beyond rare.

Somehow, he knew it was more than that. His dreams all featured you in his lap as he pet your soft flower-woven hair and delicate wings, after all.

He longed for you, but he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt your routine, too content to watch you undisturbed like some sort of voyeuristic creep. However, his comrades grew restless staying in the same boring town, and Bakugou knew he had very little time left to watch you.

It made him feel sick, to think he’d have to leave you behind, the unexplored lands no longer bringing him any joy to think of. He went so far as to confide in his closest comrade, Kirishima, about you.

The redhaired barbarian grinned, his sharklike teeth glinting in the light, “Bring her with.”

Bakugou wished he could bring you with him at your full size, but he doesn’t know how to stop you from shrinking and escaping him or getting yourself hurt. Therefore, he only has one option.

You were never aware he was watching you when you did your daily rituals before, so perhaps you won’t notice if he gets closer. If all goes well, you won’t notice until it’s too late.

Until the glass jar becomes your prison for the rest of your life.

[fluffypichu876]

If you were to recommend Sekiro to someone, perhaps a Mutual even, how would you go about it?

(I'm always on the roll looking for soulsborne design content, as it is a big topic in the industry, and I am too much of a whimp to play something that openly sadomasochistic xD, but sekiro is the one I'm lest knowledgable about of them all and I'd love a first-hand opinion on it/maybe a reccomend to see if there might be something interesting to try to brave it For, and not just difficulty for difficulty's sake)

That is a GREAT ask, mutual, and I am very glad to answer it to you! (i never miss an opportunity to discuss game design xD)

Well, the game is REALLY good. It's rewarding and it just feels good to play. That's why I recommend it in very simple words, with the small warning that it is, indeed, a difficult game.

But if I was allowed to go into detail on why I love it and recommend it so much...

Sekiro is a very interesting soulsbourne. It follows many traditions of FromSoft's other games, but it also breaks enough of these rules to stand out as a game of its own.

One thing that differs in Sekiro is the very way that you tackle bossfights. Boss design is one of, if not the most important aspect of a soulslike. I have yet to play other soulsbournes, but from what I've heard, in these games there are usually multiple ways of dealing with a tough boss. You can grind and find better equipment to fight them, use cheese strategies, get help from another player (co-op), or just git gud and try to defeat the boss by learning their patterns and relying on pure skill. Each boss is always designed with that in mind, focusing on providing a fair experience to the player no matter which option they choose.

But in Sekiro, there's none of that. No co-op, very little cheese strats, a stat system that requires the defeat of a major boss to increase damage output (by very little), and a EXP system that only grants a few new skills (some of them are very useful though, such as the Mikiri counter). Oh, and you lose EXP when you die.

To beat a boss here, you must rely on pure skill. Git gud, as people say. This skill consists basically of your ability to recognize and correctly counter all the types of enemy attacks. Deflect strikes, dodge grabs, Mikiri-counter thrusts, jump over sweeps and ocassionaly redirect lightning. If you don't understand and properly use these skills, you will not get very far, because every enemy and every boss will demand varying levels of your knowledge about the game, and more importantly your ability to actually use said knowledge. Their very design is based on the player's skill.

It may sound bad, but this focus on pure player skill is exactly what makes this game so compelling and rewarding. When you fight a boss in Sekiro, you are not mastering the bossfight, you are mastering the game itself. Each boss requires the same skills to defeat, consisting of a single core gameplay loop, and extra items or tools are merely extra help and not really necessary to win (with the exception of a few gimmick optional bosses). Master these skills and the whole game becomes much easier to understand and overcome. You'll still die a lot, but you will feel your progress, understand why you died, and become even more confident after every defeat.

Once you beat Lady Butterfly and Genichiro, you have already mastered the game. From now on, you will be just sharpening your skills.

In simple words, Sekiro's definition of getting good is very different from other soulsbourne games. Beating this game is like a personal journey of improvement, in which you aim to improve because you know it's worth it.

The revival mechanic is also very interesting to me. From what I understand, it serves both as a mid-battle breathing room, and as a motivator.

Dying in a bossfight doesn't feel good, and enough deaths can motivate the player to give up, so giving them time to breath and consider their options before reviving and trying again is very nice. It's a period of time used to strategize and reflect what exactly is going wrong. Allowing the player to revive once or twice during a fight doesn't make the game easier, it makes the game fair. The player will not have to repeat a part of the fight that they have already mastered, and will have another opportunity to try and understand what's currently going on. Then, they can carry this new knowledge to the next attempts, making the whole "die and try again" experience much more fluid.

Following this logic, the revival mechanic also serves as a motivator. If the player has good enough base knowledge of a bossfight, giving them a second chance will motivate them to take risks, which leads into the discovery of potentially better strategies. Dying now will not really grant too much of a bad consequence, so why not risk something new? The whole combat system revolves about your agressiveness and lack of hesitation, so a motivator like this is very important.

Sekiro also has stealth mechanics, yipeee!!! Fitting, since you are a shinobi. Stealth here mostly serves as an second option to deal with areas filled to the brim with enemies. Attacking any enemy from behind without their notice will instantly delete an entire healthbar. This means death to most lesser foes. It also helps you deal with mini-bosses who have more than one healthbar.

Having said all of that, Sekiro is an amazing game, and I can't recommend it enough. In my opinion, you don't even have to be too much of a masochist to like this game! I found the whole experience to be pretty fair and rewarding, and not really painful at all (maybe it's just me on that xD). Patience is all that you really need, patience to slowly learn and understand, as if you where learning how to use a sword in real life. After all, that's exactly what you must do to beat this game.

[twistedtummies2]

The Scarlet Pirate - Chapter 4

This is the fourth of a six-part "Chapter Story" for my OC for Twisted Wonderland, James Killian - based on Captain Hook from Disney's Peter Pan. (Also featured are Smitty McCarthy, based on Smee, and Matthew Satyr, based on Peter himself...oh, and Nakoda - my Kaa OC - also has a role here.) The basic premise of this story has been in my mind for almost as long as James has, but for numerous reasons, it wasn't till just within the past few weeks I finally got a chance to develop and write it out.

The result is, I think, the single longest "Chapter Story" for any of my OCs for TW I've created so far. Take that information however you will. So long as this tale, that it went from a planned three-parter, to a planned five-parter, to now being a six-parter, standing at approximately 150 pages in total! Hopefully, all the work and length will be for the best. XD

As is typical for my Chapter Stories, I will be posting this one chapter at a time per day over the course of this week. For future reference, you can find the previous chapter here: TBA

You can find the next chapter here: TBA

WARNING: While this story, throughout all six parts, does not FOCUS on my kinks, there are instances of very mild stuffing/belching related content sprinkled throughout, as well as various instances of implied or near vore situations. If you're into these things, good on ya. If you aren't, just be warned they will show up here and there, although not with any degree of spectacle.

With that said...I hope you enjoy.

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“You’re sure this is the answer?” “I don’t see a reason to doubt it at the moment, Azul,” you responded to the inquiry. “Hmph. Interesting that you didn’t tell us this information last night, human.” “I told you, Sebek: I didn’t come up with the answer till I was in my sleeping bag last night.” Sebek Zigvolt just shrugged carelessly, accepting this response. Azul Ashengrotto, meanwhile, hummed thoughtfully, steepling his fingers as he looked at the clue he had written down. It was morning now on Sage’s Island; yourself, the half-fae, and the cecaelia-in-disguise had woken up earlier than the other four members of your team, who were all still slumbering in their tents. Azul had felt it necessary to rise early on account of being the team captain, while Sebek was just used to it. For your part…you didn’t want to admit it, but you’d had difficulty sleeping. Visions of Scarlet Pirates and Silly Pixies had dogged your dreams all night long…

“Well, the mine is not very far from here,” Azul reasoned softly, looking off in the direction of it, before turning back to face you. “If we leave now, then we can get there hopefully before anyone from RSA does. And if for whatever reason your guesswork turns out to be incorrect, we can easily make our way out of there and then try to find a new plan with plenty of time to spare.”

You smiled. “Then you think I’m in the ballpark?” “I think it’s worth checking out,” smirked Azul, and reached out a hand. “Well done, Prefect! We may be on the right track now!” You gave an embarrassed smile as you shook Azul’s hand. You very badly wanted to confess that you hadn’t been the one to solve the absurd riddle, but you decided to keep your promise to James, at least for now.

“Sebek! Wake the others!” Azul ordered, as he pulled a pen from his pocket and began to translate the clue on the same piece of paper he’d written it before. “YOU DO NOT COMMAND ME, OCTOPUS!” Sebek bellowed indignantly. “Um…technically he does,” you said, holding up a finger in emphasis. “He’s the one in charge of the team, remember?” “Oh. Right,” blushed Sebek, and - looking rather chagrined - he marched off to do as Azul demanded. You and Azul shared a look, rolling your eyes. Sebek stomped over to the tent that housed James and Smitty. He did not peer inside, but did lift the flap slightly, so they would better hear him…before shouting into the tent at the top of his lungs… “CODFISH! ROUSE THYSELF AND YOUR STOOGE! THERE IS MUCH TO DO!”

James and Smitty both awoke to the sound of Sebek’s hollering, flailing wildly in alarm within their sleeping bags. They then sat up - James with a grouchy groan, Smitty with a slightly scared squeak - just in time to see Sebek’s hand release the tent flap. A moment later, as they got up and gathered their clothes to dress themselves, they heard Zigvolt yelling into the tent where Grim still slumbered, and heard a loud, cat-like yowl as Grim no doubt jumped his entire body height’s worth into the air in reaction.

“I’m going to stuff that accursed crocodile,” grumbled James…then blushed as he realized his own words could be taken to mean a few different things. He shook his head to clear such musings as he went about gathering his garments. “James?” Smitty asked, as he did the same, and tossed his head towards a corner of the tent. “What will we do with her?”

James looked first at Smitty, then where his friend indicated. He spotted the lantern, in which Kes still sat. She looked up at the Heartslabyul student with pleading eyes. He narrowed his eyes in turn, and then moved to kneel down beside the lantern. He picked it up and peered into it. Nervously, Kes scurried back, away from the giant face that looked in on her coldly.

“Don’t fret, my dear,” he whispered. “Soon we’ll BOTH be free.” James chuckled as he saw the muted fairy swallow anxiously. He then tossed the lantern to Smitty, who somewhat clumsily caught it.

“Cover it and bring it with us. Douse her light.” Smitty nodded, and took a piece of dark, thick cloth from his pack, using a spell to cut a slot in it for the lantern handle to slip through. The cloth snuffed out the tiny fairy’s light. James smirked and nodded, and beckoned for Smitty to follow him. Smitty bit his lip, and then lifted the cloth to peer in at Kes himself.

“My apologies, miss,” he said softly, sincerely, then dropped the cloth and waddled out of the tent after James.

As the pair left their tent, they saw Grim trundling out of another tent. James smirked and reached down to playfully ruffle Grim’s headfur with his left hand. The cat-like monster hissed and swiped at him, but James pulled back with a chuckle, avoiding the strike. Grumbling, Grim went to join you and Azul; the pair of you were discussing plans. “OI! SERPENT! I TOLD YOU TO GET UP ALREADY!” A shout from Sebek alerted all of you. Zigvolt was standing and tapping his foot impatiently outside of Nakoda’s tent. You could hear the snake snoring inside of it. “This is no time to tarry!” huffed Sebek. “ARISE, YOU SLITHERING SCOUNDREL!” “Nako!” you called out sharply. “Get up!”

Another snore from the naga was the only answer you all received.

“DO I HAVE TO STOMP ON YOUR FAT TAIL, YOU BLOATED WORM?!” roared Sebek. He lifted a finger and prepared to holler something else… …But stopped short when a hand fell upon his shoulder. He looked back to see first a familiar hand with a hook-shaped tattoo on it resting there, and then the bored face of the limb’s owner. “Crocodile,” James droned. “If the snake isn’t waking up from YOUR caterwauling, then I doubt anything will break him from his slumber.”

Sebek growled and brushed James’ hand away in response. Before he could argue, Azul broke in: “James is right, Sebek. If Nakoda is going to be a lazy bum, let him be it: we’ll deal with his lax attitude later. Right now, there’s no time to waste.”

“Then we know where to go?” Smitty asked, innocently, fingers fiddling with the handle of the covered lantern. “Nya-huh,” nodded Grim, and pointed with one paw at you. “Apparently my minion figured out the clue!”

You and James shared a look, but neither of you said anything. Azul soon repeated the instructions you had informed him of - and which James had given you the night before - to the rest of the group. “Well, what are we waiting for?” James crowed as the directions were completed, and clapped Azul on the back with his left hand, his right flourishing his fancy cane. “Lead the way, Captain! Time waits for no one!” Azul frowned slightly, a bit off balance from the strong clap upon the shoulder, and adjusted his glasses…but nonetheless, he took the suggestion. “Follow me, everyone,” he said to your company. “To the mines, before Satyr and the rest get there instead!”

Azul thus marched along. You and Grim - the little imp resting upon your shoulder - followed close behind, with James and Smitty directly behind you both. Sebek took up the rear. He paused to glance back towards Nakoda’s tent…then rolled his eyes as he heard another snore from within. “Lazybones,” was all he muttered, before hastening to catch up with the group.

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It wasn’t long till you and your companions reached the entrance to the old mines. You felt a slight tremor go through you as you eyed the opening to the dark labyrinth of tunnels within; from Blot Phantoms to angry fairies to mad ghosts, coming near this place always seemed to herald trouble.

“Nya…you sure the treasure is in there, Minion?” Grim meowed, sounding equally anxious.

You glanced towards James subtly. He nodded, just as subtly, his expression certain and stalwart. “Yes,” you said. “I’m sure.” “Then let’s waste no time,” Azul said. He pulled out an electronic device from his pocket. “This will measure how far we’ve gone.” “What are you doing with one of those?” you asked, tilting your head curiously. Azul bit his lip, squirming a little, before slowly answering: “I need to measure how far I’ve gone when on a treadmill.” “I was under the impression you tended to avoid physical exercise, octopus,” grunted Sebek, arching one eyebrow. “Not when I’m trying to lose weight,” grumbled Azul, under his breath, and flashed an embarrassed glare towards you and James, who both sniggered and blushed at the same time. “Ahem…at any rate, I suggest we all move together, so we can make sure everyone is going the same distance at the same speed. I’ve started the counter, so now…” Azul trailed off and led you all into the mine. Stepping all in unison, you and your comrades entered the dim passage beyond, and began to march the twenty yards indicated by the riddle. Once you came to the end of the twenty yards, you all stopped. Dead ahead of you and your companions were two tunnels. One of them stretched off to the left, the other to the right.

“This way,” you said, pointing towards the left path.

“You’re still positive of that, human?” Sebek checked. You nodded wordlessly, resisting the urge to once more look back at James.

“To the left it is then,” Azul said, and led your party down the lefthand tunnel, once again checking the counter as you all continued to walk. Forty yards later, you all had to stop. Ahead of your group was a solid stone wall. You all paused, looking up at the obstruction. “It’s a dead end,” murmured Azul, sounding gravely disappointed. “Perhaps your directions weren’t as on point as you believed,” Sebek suggested to you. Grim jumped off your shoulder and scampered over to the wall. He pawed at it curiously, as if trying to nudge it aside. “Feels pretty solid to me,” he said, and frowned back at you. “Minion, did we take a wrong turn?” “I don’t think so,” you said, and pointed upwards. “Look there.”

All of you did. Near the ceiling of the tunnel, at the top of the apparent sheer wall of stone, there was something painted upon the rock. It was a large red X. “X marks the spot,” you smiled, trying to look proud of yourself. “Curious,” murmured Azul, adjusting his spectacles as he inspected the X. “That paint looks rather faded…you’d think if they were marking the place where the treasure was, it would look much newer…” “Well, if it IS where the treasure is hidden,” Sebek wondered aloud, scratching his head, “How do we get past this blockage?” “There must be another clue around here somewhere,” said Smitty. “Let’s look around!” Azul seemed doubtful, but the rest of you immediately began to check about the passage. The octopus kept his eye on the X skeptically, as if considering something quietly… …But he was broken out of his reverie when James suddenly barked out: “I have it!” All of you rushed to where he stood. James pointed with his cave to what looked like a tiny alcove or cranny - a sort of carved pothole in the rock wall - inside of which was visible carved writing. “Smitty, some light!” hissed James, and his henchman lifted the flap on the lantern you’d seen him carrying, just a fraction, allowing a thin beam of light to shine through. You read the carved words aloud: “There are three things in life one can always rely on. What are they?” “I suppose this really is the entrance,” Azul muttered, as he looked at the strange puzzle. “It sounds like we need to speak some sort of password,” Smitty McCarthy observed.

“Hmph. It is child’s play,” sniffed James, and looked at Azul. “Captain? May I have your permission to attempt to answer the riddle?” “By all means,” Azul said, with a small smile. James Killian smiled back, and approached the door. Bold as brass, he called out: “The answer is Death, Taxes, and Pain.” There was a moment’s pause…then, sure enough, the wall before you all began to slide to one side, stone scraping against stone as the secret door moved to allow entrance to the chamber beyond. “Yeesh. That’s a pretty sad password,” sneered Grim. “Maybe, but it’s factual,” you muttered and shrugged.

“Bravo, humans!” cheered Sebek. “Such ingenuity on both your parts would make the great Malleus proud, I’m certain!” “Forget about that!” laughed Smitty. “Come on, everyone! The treasure is ours!” With a whoop and a holler, all of you raced into the chamber…except for Azul. Ashengrotto lingered for a moment. Suspiciously, he glanced back at the space where the password riddle had been carved, then up at the X that still hovered over the portal. Eyes narrowed, expression calculating, he cautiously entered the room beyond…

Your group stopped just a couple of feet inside the entrance, taking a moment to gaze about at the room around you. It was a wide, circular chamber, and there was a large, uneven hole visible in the ceiling, through which light streamed like a spotlight. The chamber was otherwise unremarkable, save for two points: one was that what looked like a huge circle was carved into the floor, only a few feet away from where you stood, taking up most of the space in the chamber.

The other was that, directly in the center, was a decent-sized sea chest.

“We’ve found it!” Grim cheered. “Come on, let’s see what’s in it!” you laughed, and the two of you raced forward to check on the chest. Azul and Sebek followed close behind stepping over the carved outline on the floor as they did. As you grew nearer to the chest, you knelt down to look at it. It was a simple enough construct: a typical wooden trunk with metal bindings. However, as you inspected it, you noticed something else: the trunk seemed very old. The metalwork was dusty, and flecks of rust were visible all over it. The wood was damp in several places, and had begun to chip and crack in others. It wasn’t exactly about to fall apart at the seams, but clearly the chest had been left to the elements for a while.

“Huh,” Grim commented, cocking his head and grimacing in distaste. “Ya woulda thought they’d pick a better chest for the money to be stored in.” “Perhaps the age of the chest is due to it being used for years in the past?” suggested Sebek. “I doubt it,” observed Azul, and lifted the rusty padlock that was fastened on the chest itself. “They certainly would have used a better lock, even if they had.” “I think this thing has been down here a lot longer than a couple of days,” you remarked quietly.

Azul nodded in agreement, then pulled his Magic Pen from his pocket. He rose, and ushered for you all to step back. He then pointed the pen like a wand, mumbled some incantation…and with an awful grating sound, the rusty old lock broke apart. Azul then swept down his arms and threw off the lid of the chest. What was inside made all four of you gape in stunned amazement. What was in the old chest was far more than any simple donation of money to be distributed to the islanders. Amidst a great, glittering pool of gold coins, you saw so many wonderful things: pearl necklaces, a bejeweled medallion, a silver dagger, a fine crown and a small scepter beside it, and a beautiful chalice, all piled and half-embedded in the mound of doubloons.

“This is not the chest we’re looking for,” you murmured. “Who cares about THAT chest?!” exclaimed Grim. “Look, Minion! We’re RICH!” “Oh, I very highly doubt that,” Azul gulped, gazing with awe at the treasure before him. “Eh? I would have thought YOU’D be the MOST delighted at this find!” Sebek scoffed. “Think, you fool!” Azul suddenly rounded on him, so venomously that Zigvolt stepped back in alarm. “First of all, this isn’t the prize for the competition! We’re in the wrong place entirely!” “This is even BETTER though!” Grim meowed. “No, it isn’t,” you said to Grim, seriously. “Why not?” he and Sebek asked at once. You and Azul shared a morbid look, then addressed the pair. “Because if this chest has been down here this long,” you began. “There has to be a reason it’s never been brought to the surface before,” Azul finished. A low chuckle interrupted the scene, and suddenly the chest was slammed shut. You all looked up to see James Killian standing victoriously, with one boot upon the closed lid. He smugly smirked at you all and clapped slowly. “Very nicely observed, my dear teammates,” he crooned. “A shame it’s a bit too late.” For a moment, there was silence. You were the one to break it. “Of course,” you hissed to yourself. “‘Stay Left.’ The opposite of stay is go…but you neglected the fact that the opposite of left is right. We were going the wrong way the whole time!” “A simple deception, but effective,” nodded James in confirmation, as Smitty peeked out nervously from behind him. “So it was you who really solved the riddle,” Azul glared. “But why did you have the Prefect claim they solved it?” “Oh, another way of making sure you were all off my scent,” yawned Killian, inspecting the rings on one of his fingers idly. “Couldn’t have you all foiling my plan.” “What plan?” Grim glared, fur beginning to bristle. Sensing trouble, all of you had moved into ready positions. “Why, to take this treasure all for myself, of course!” James grinned, and tapped his booted toe on the lid. “Not to mention all the glory that comes with it.”

Sebek let out a sudden roar of rage and lunged at James Killian… …And that is when it happened: James lifted his left hand with a vicious sort of smile…and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the tattoo on the back of his hand flashed, glowing red like a fresh brand… …And as the light dissipated…suddenly…a wave of great and terrible emotion fell upon you. It was as if a cloud had descended over your mind. You felt fear, and you felt sorrow; guilts and regrets you had long buried came boiling up to the surface. Your breath grew heavy and you groaned…it was as if every sour memory, every dour emotion, was weighing down upon you. Unhappy thoughts of grief and pain filled your mind, and it became so hard to think of anything else…so hard to even MOVE. It was as if chains were suddenly lashing themselves about your limbs and across your torso, dragging you to the floor. You collapsed to your hands and knees, and tried to fight back against the weight, but it seemed like all you could do to keep up there. As you lifted your head - not easy to do under the strain - you were shocked by the tears that suddenly welled up in your eyes. Blinking them away to clear your bleary vision, you saw that Sebek, Grim, and Azul were all in a similar state. Azul, in particular, it seemed, was having trouble keeping himself from collapsing flat onto his belly, and was breathing heavily as tears dripped from his cheeks. You looked up at James, who grinned devilishly down at you all. “What…what is this?” you coughed out. “Doubt and Despair,” answered Killian. “My Unique Magic. I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase ‘lighthearted’? Where joyful thoughts, feelings, and memories make one feel happy and light as a feather? My power installs the opposite feelings and effects: it creates a miasma of dreadful emotion and thought so intense, that it literally weighs you down. Every regret, every terror, every bit of dread and distress you’ve ever endured in your life!” He gestured to your downed group. “This…is the weight of it all on your souls, pouring free without restraint. A trifle unpleasant, isn’t it?” You glared. A sudden surge of anger flowed through you, breaking through the barriers of remorse and misery…and you tried to hurl yourself up and grab James Killian…but he swatted your hands aside with his cane and laughed uproariously. “A noble effort, but in vain! In vain!” he sang merrily, and lifted his left hand in a fist, showing off the tattoo. “One touch of this sucker, and at any time I wish, I can activate the spell. Until it wears off, you’re not going anywhere.” He then arched an eyebrow tauntingly towards the rest of your crew. “So? Who’s next?” he mocked. “YOU’RE NEXT, JAMES!”

Killian gasped and spun about, facing the hole in the ceiling. A moment later, the familiar form of Matthew Satyr came soaring through the skylight and into the chamber. His fighting baton was already held in one hand, his face twisted into a bitter sort of glare. “THIS TIME YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR!” the boy in green called, shaking his free fist in emphasis. “I n-never thought I’d be h-happy to see a R-Royal Sword before,” you heard Sebek blubber nearby. “How…h-hum-m-miliating…” “Sh-shut up,” Azul half-growled and half-grunted. You couldn’t blame Azul for his reaction. Perhaps it was just the titular “doubt and despair” flooding your spirit, mind, and body at that moment, but you felt little hope when you saw Matthew floating overhead. Not when James Killian was still grinning like a loon. “Ah, Satyr! To what do I owe the honor of this appearance?” James purred, like a cat that had caught a canary.

“You already know,” Satyr said, and pointed with the baton. “Let her go, James!”

Before you could ask who Matthew meant, Smitty pulled off the cloth on his lamp, revealing the tiny pixie trapped within to you all. Kes placed herself flush against the glass, trying to call out to Matthew from within the lantern, but her voice was drowned out. James cackled as he traded his cane for the lantern, holding it up tauntingly in his right hand. “You want her?” he called back, and beckoned with his left. “HA! THEN COME AND GET HER!” Matthew appeared ready to do just that. He swooped down, holding his weapon at the ready. But James Killian remained standing where he was, not grabbing his cane, not seeking a weapon, still holding the lantern with the pixie trapped inside… It was only when you saw Killian’s left hand twitch almost imperceptibly that you suddenly realized something. You wanted to call out to Satyr to watch out…but it was much too late. As Matthew flew at James, Killian suddenly sidestepped him, swinging the lantern out of the way…and slapping Matthew across the back of his shoulders with his left hand as he zipped by. It wasn’t a hard clap; Matthew probably only barely felt it. But somehow, you had the unnerving feeling he’d made a mistake. As Satyr turned in mid-air, ready to come in again, James confirmed your suspicions as he held up that left hand, fingers ready to snap. “One touch!” he yelled. “That’s all it takes!” SNAP!

Matthew Satyr let out a sound as if all the wind had been knocked out of him. He suddenly dropped like a stone, landing on his feet from where he hovered. He, staggered for a bit, still managing to stay standing, but his balance was unsteady. He gulped…he gasped…as if he were trying to talk, as if his chest was in a vise. James Killian watched with a sort of excited expectation. Satyr clutched at his chest, as if a blade had pierced his heart, and slowly looked up at the raven-haired scoundrel. “J-James?” he wheezed. “Yes?” Killian returned, curiously. Matthew whimpered; he suddenly looked so much like a scared little boy, it made your already aching heart feel a new pang. “I don’t think I like this adventure,” he whimpered out. James grinned savagely as he watched Matthew collapse to the ground. “And here I thought your thoughts were never unhappy, Satyr,” he hissed with relish, stepping closer to him. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment: to see you at my feet.” Matthew just sobbed, deep wells of anguish opening up inside of him, weighing down the once carefree, cheerful, fluttering nuisance. The pity you felt for him was just another wave of pain to add to your current state, and you suddenly found yourself lying belly-down, flat on the floor. James, meanwhile, whistled a merry tune as he placed the lantern down on the floor, a few inches away from where Matthew lay - cruelly setting it just out of reach. While Satyr wormed his way across the ground, the scarlet pirate twirled his cane and strode out of the circle in the center of the cavern. “Smitty,” he said, casually, as if all this was quite everyday. “Fetch the chest and bring it here.” Smitty McCarthy hesitated. He was standing close to the chest, and had been silent all this time. He wrung his cap in his hands, biting his lip. He looked between you and your fallen allies, then at Satyr and Kes, then at James. “I…James, I’m…I’m n-not so sure we…we should-” “BRING IT HERE, YOU BLITHERING BLOCKHEAD!”

Smitty jolted in alarm…and obediently grabbed hold of the chest, lifting it up with a grunt; he was not a very large fellow after all. The instant he did, there was a grinding sound that echoed everywhere…and suddenly, you felt the floor beneath you quaking “Quickly, Smitty!” James barked, and McCarthy hastily scampered across the floor. He only just barely managed to shove the chest over the edge…before yelping as the floor beneath him gave way. You and the rest, still all but plastered to the ground, cried out as you dropped abruptly…and coughed as dust flew up around you. As the dust settled, you could see that the floor under you was intact…but you had dropped into a lower level of the chamber. The walls were flat and high, much too high for you to jump out of, and with few footholds or places to grab onto. Smitty McCarthy cried out, feet scrambling at the wall as he tried hoist himself up over the edge above…but was only successful when James grabbed hold of his arm and helped him out. “Thanks, James,” gasped Smitty with a shudder, fixing his cap and glasses and dusting himself off. “I…I-I almost thought you…you might let me…” “Nonsense, Smitty. I still need you,” snorted James, as if this fact was the most obvious thing in the world. He then looked down at you all. “Comfortable down there?” You heard Grim snarl something VERY nasty in reply. “Tut, tut! Such language! But I guess I can’t blame you all for ‘feeling low,’ can I now?” teased James, as he and Smitty stood on the narrow section around the great pit. “You…you knew this would happen?” you heard Azul hoarsely croak. James nodded, and gestured for Smitty to start moving. The two of them began to move, the latter dragging the chest while the other followed. You soon heard another sound of scraping stone, and realized the entrance through which you all had come was slowly closing up again. “The password I uttered,” James said, as he and Smitty began to walk towards the slowly closing portal, “Was not the correct one. The trap surrounding this treasure, I learned sometime ago, was set up by pirates who wished to guard their treasure till they returned. Only those who knew the true password would be able to recover it. Otherwise, if someone who entered with the wrong password - ANY wrong password - tried to remove the chest, they would be…well…I’m sure you’ve figured it out.” “James!” Matthew called out as the pair neared the steadily closing portal. “Don’t…don’t DO this! Please!” James laughed wildly; there was something unhinged in the sound. “Farewell, Matthew Satyr!” he scoffed back. “By the time my power runs out, and you or any of the rest can get free again, I’ll be long gone with my treasure! AH-HA HA HA HA!” And without another word, James Killian and Smitty McCarthy disappeared slipped quickly through the stone door…and a second later, it slid closed behind them. All of you were trapped.

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While you and your trapped companions sat in the pit, James Killian paused just a few steps beyond the entrance. Smitty had paused and was dusting off the chest with the same cloth he’d used to cover the lantern. McCarthy looked up as he finished, stuffing the cloth in his pocket. He blinked as he saw James’ posture. James had his head hung low, as if he was staring not just at the floor but through it. “James?” he whispered. When he received no answer, he cautiously approached, standing beside Killian and looking up towards his face. “Uh…J-James? Are…are you okay?” James’ eyes were very wide. Disbelieving. For a few more moments he was silent. Then, he lifted his head, looking towards the cave ceiling. “I am…exceptionally more than okay, Smitty,” he replied quietly. Then a grin that made McCarthy’s blood go cold split his face. “I’ve done it. I’ve…I’ve finally done it! I’ve beaten Matthew Satyr! I’VE WON!” James began to laugh even more insanely than before, clutching his sides as he doubled-up with demented cackles. Smitty giggled nervously alongside him, and glanced towards the closed stone door. “Aye, James, I…I just…I hope they’ll be okay…” “Who cares?” Smitty blinked and looked at James with shock. “Wh-what?!” “Really, Smitty, what does it matter if they’re ‘okay’ or not?” sniffed Killian, recovering from his guffaws as he adjusted his bandana and shouldered his gilded cane. “We’ve got the treasure - the REAL treasure - and now you and I can have the life we’ve both always wanted! And with no Matthew Satyr to ruin it all again! Why, my delight is beyond exponential in its vastness!” “But…but James, they…w-won’t people come looking for them?” “Oh, I’m sure they will,” yawned James. “But it’s no concern of mine or yours now, is it? Come along, Smitty.” James began to march away…but paused, when he realized he wasn’t hearing footsteps behind him. He turned around in confusion. “Er…Smitty?” Smitty McCarthy’s own head was hung, and he was looking down at his feet. He was very still and very quiet. “Smitty, what are you waiting for?” sneered James. Smitty paused, then looked up at his superior. “James…I need you to tell me the truth,” he said, seriously. “Are they going to be alright?” James looked Smitty up and down…then nodded. Smitty’s eyes hardened behind his glasses. “Make me a promise,” Smitty demanded. “Promise me that, whatever happens to us…Kes…Matthew…the Prefect…all of them will get out of that trap alive.” James blinked slowly…then smiled assuringly. “Smitty,” he said, solemnly, “I promise you that no matter what happens to us, all of their troubles will be over soon. They won’t have to worry about being trapped for much longer.” “Is that really true?” “I give you my word. Is that sufficient?” Smitty smiled a tiny bit and nodded. “Aye, James,” he said, honestly. “Good,” James said, and tossed his head. “Now no more dawdling. You checked on our craft last night?” “Aye, James,” Smitty said again, this time a little more brightly, as he hefted up the chest and trundled after his leader. “It’s down by the pool, just like you told me!” “Perfect! Then let us away!” James boomed, and the pair sauntered through the tunnels, treasure jangling in its chest, heading for their escape route.

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Grunts and growls from Sebek Zigvolt heralded him crawling across the floor of the pit. He groaned, straining to lift himself up as he pulled himself against the wall. He managed to haul himself to his feet, gasping and panting as he placed his back to the wall and looked up. “I could…try to climb for it,” he suggested, his voice shaky even as he offered. “What would be the point?” moaned Azul. “C-Come on, fight it!” you snapped at the octopus, but it was hard to deny the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that wound about your heart like iron coils… …Coils. Suddenly, a spark of light filled the back of your mind. It was faint. Fizzling. On the verge of extinguishment. But you held onto that light. You managed to shove yourself onto your hands and knees, and crawled towards Matthew Satyr. The half-fairy boy was curled up on the floor, his once proud face hidden in his hands as he made soft, simpering noises like a dog; he was like a child without their mother. You reached out to him…and he suddenly swatted your hand away. “Don’t touch me!” he snapped, and scrubbed the tears away from his eyes. “N-No one must ever touch me!” You were tempted to ask why not, but instead you simply pointed out, “James did.” Matthew hung his head and looked away again. You glanced towards the lantern close beside him. Kes was looking worriedly between yourself and her friend. “Matthew,” you whispered, looking back at him as you spoke. “Please don’t cry anymore. It’s going to be okay.” “How do you know that?” he sniffled, then indignantly added past teary eyes, “And I’m not crying!” You couldn’t help but smile a little, and spoke to him as gently as possible. “I think we might have a chance. But I need you to tell Kes to listen to me. She’s the only one who can help us now. Can you do that for me?” Matthew blinked at you, then at the lantern. Kes was still flitting her bead between him and you. Satyr looked at his fairy friend…and a hardness came to his eyes. He grunted and managed to heave himself onto his hands and knees as well, fighting the anchoring self-loathing that was pinning him. He grabbed hold of the lantern and looked soulfully into the eyes of the pixie inside. “Kes,” he said. “I need you…to help them. Will you…do what they say? For me?” Kes nodded and made a show of crossing her heart. Matthew smiled weakly…and opened the lantern. Instantly, in a jangle of jingling bells, Kes flew out of the lamp. She spun around in the air for a moment, enjoying her freedom, then zeroed her attention in on you expectantly. “There’s one more of us,” you said, gesturing towards Azul and Sebek. “A big snake-guy. Remember him?” Kes nodded and rang her pixie bells in answer.

“He’s at our campsite,” you told her, and quickly gave her directions. “Please…find him and come back here. He might be able to help us-” You didn’t have time to say “escape” before a sudden, deep, dangerous growling noise came from somewhere nearby. All of you looked towards the sound…and you could practically feel the temperature drop, as it seemed like all of you gained icy blood in your collective veins. At one end of the pit was a dark, jagged-mouthed passage…and from that passage, you could see two very large yellow eyes glaring at you all with hungry intent. “Wh-what’s that?” you heard Azul gasp behind you. “Trouble,” you mumbled, and looked imploringly at Kes. “Hurry! Go and find him! His name is Nakoda, fly!” Kes gave you a salute, and then zipped off like a firefly, leaving a thin streak of quickly-evaporating pixie dust behind her. As the pixie zoomed away, the creature the yellow eyes belonged to came lumbering out of the tunnel beyond. You felt your jaw drop, the dreadful feelings that enveloped you now swamped with a large dose of mortal fear. Out of the chamber appeared an absolutely ENORMOUS crocodile, larger than any other the world have ever known. (Or, at least, YOUR world had ever known.) It’s great, vast belly dragged upon the ground, its long and somewhat crooked-looking snout dripping with drool as it hissed with excitement upon seeing you all. The glowing yellow eyes blinked as a scaly tail scraped across the cave floor behind it, and it seemed to grin with evil anticipation. For a moment, none of you moved or spoke. Finally, you turned to look at Sebek. “No relation of yours?” you quipped. Sebek could only let out a groan. “If I felt better, human, then I’d say you insulted me,” he muttered. Suddenly, the Enormous Crocodile let out a bellowing, roaring noise, and came charging towards your party with its jaws wide open. A surge of adrenaline briefly dispelled your gloom, and you pushed yourself out of the way as fast as you could. Matthew did the same, as the jaws of the giant crocodile snapped shut where you had both been. It growled, glaring at your group, as the two of you scrambled back. Grim meowed, crawling across the floor to nestle against you in fear, as Azul dragged himself towards where Sebek still leaned against the wall. “I hope help comes soon,” the cat-like demon mewed. You held onto the spark of light inside you, and tried to promise Grim it would…but that spark wasn’t very big.

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Kes the pixie raced through the forest beyond the mines as fast as her wings could carry her. She weaved her way around branches and between leaves; at one point she had to dodge quickly to avoid the sticky tongue of a rather stupid and gluttonous frog. She did not slow down once, not till she saw the Night Raven team’s campsite, coming up fast ahead of her. It did not take long for Kes to pinpoint which tent belonged to Nakoda Spivak. She could hear a sort of hissing snore coming from inside, and quickly swooped through the flap and into the tent. The tent was only JUST large enough to hold Nakoda as he slept with his great, fat coils curled up into a tight spiral. His humanoid half lay draped across his own thick, serpentine side, a peaceful look upon his slumbering face. The peaceful expression was disturbed by a slight grimace, as Kes flailed her arms and rang her pixie bells as loudly as she could in alarm. Nakoda grumbled something and lifted a loop of his coils over his own head to cover his ears. Kes then buzzed in front of his face, and tried to tug on a piece of Nakoda’s long, brown hair. He hissed in his sleep and swatted blindly at her; she barely dodged his swiping hand. Now feeling rather indignant, Kes flew out of the tent…and returned with a piece of unused firewood, gathered the evening before. It wasn’t easy for the little fairy to carry it, but she managed to do so, and dropped it down towards Nakoda, the bit of broken tree, bonking him on his head, and the section of scales he’d thrown over his ears. “OUCH!” Nakoda cried out, in a petulant, whiny, childish way, as the pain startled him awake. He jolted up, looking around, alert and clearly cross…and soon spotted the pixie hovering above him. He bared his fangs VERY angrily. “Ssso!” he half-hissed and half-snarled…and before Kes could do anything else, one of the naga’s clawed hands reached out and grabbed hold of her. Nakoda lifted his humanoid half higher, a sort of vengeful smirk on his face. “You’re the little fairy who’s been ssscuttling about with that sssilly brat from Royal Sword, aren’t you?” he hissed in recognition, and snickered nastily. “Sss-sss-sss-sss! Well, you have jussst made a ssseriousss missstake, my little lady. A very ssstupid missstake!”

Nakoda snickered again as Kes squirmed in his fast. His forked tongue slid across his chops and he smacked his lips greedily, pawing at his stomach with his free hand. “You’re not remotely big enough for breakfassst…but a light morning sssnack, perhapsss? I think I could go with one of those…” So saying, the naga opened his jaws wide, preparing to devour the pixie…but halted when she began to jingle her bells loudly, and closed his mouth, giving her a sort of pouting expression. “Could you not ring those ssso loudly?” he huffed. “It makesss my ears hurt. That’sss no fun at all.” Nako tilted his head as he noticed that Kes, as she rang her bells, was desperately pointing off in the distance with one hand. Off and out of the tent. “What’sss thisss?’ he slithered, and cocked his head the other way. “You want to show me sssomething?” Kes nodded. Nakoda hummed, but finally relented. He slithered out of the tent, unwinding himself, still holding the fairy in his hand. As he moved into the open air of the campground, he quickly realized all the tents around him were empty. There was no sign of any of his comrades around. “Where’d everybody go?” he wondered, and looked down at the pixie. “Is that where you want to take me? To where all the others have ended up?” Kes nodded again, more enthusiastically. Nakoda glared. “Is thisss a trick of sssome kind?” he hissed, and gave her a slight but threatening squeeze. “Because if you’re trying to fool me, little lady…” Kes shook her head. She looked frantic, panicked, but somehow Nako guessed it wasn’t because of his warnings. There was a look of urgent distress upon her face; as if she was worried about something, beyond her own wellbeing. Something stirred in the half-serpent’s heart. Why would someone on Royal Sword’s side be asking for HIS help, or want him to see where the rest of his teammates were? He could only find one possible solution in his mind: something was very wrong, and both teams were somehow in danger. Nako harumphed to himself. It seemed his accidental state of over-sleeping was about to be everyone else’s saving grace. Go figure. “Alright,” he said, and relinquished his grip. “Ssseeing as you’re trusssting me, I’ll jussst have to trussst you, too. Show me where to go. Quickly.” Kes smiled with hope and relief, and waved a hand, indicating she wanted the naga to follow her. And so, follow her Nakoda did, slithering as swiftly as he could through the forest, as the golden fairy traced their path…

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SNAP! The crocodile’s teeth slammed shut, once again only just missing you, as you held Grim in your arms and rolled out of the way. “That was so close,” you gasped out. “W-We have to stop that thing!” “Nya,” whined Grim, curling up against you. “I still can’t move right…l-let alone summon any awesome fire…” “I’ve been trying to use my magic and fly free,” added Matthew Satyr at your side. “I can’t get any air…” Azul and Sebek said nothing. They had backed away against the walls of the pit. They were leaning against them, trying to keep from falling over. James’ magic was still affecting all of you, and while it was steadily starting to ebb already, the negative emotions dissipating, you still felt weighed down, as if gravity had increased by two or threefold. “Do something!” Ashengrotto hissed to Zigvolt. “What do you expect me to do, talk to it?” Sebek snapped back. “Even if I could use magic properly, I don’t have the energy to activate Living Bolt right now!” The Enormous Crocodile roared and lunged at the pair, having seemingly just noticed them. Each dove out of the way. The Crocodile turned its attention to Azul, who pulled out his Magic Pen, trying to focus his energy…but with James’ power afflicting his body and his mind, he couldn’t really gather enough to make any kind of worthy stand. He cursed, mind whirling as he tried to come up with a solution, but he couldn’t find one! The predatory beast began to prowl towards him… …Then jolted and turned as Sebek leapt upon its huge tail, sinking his own reptilian fangs into the hard, scaly hide. With a snarl, the Enormous Crocodile lashed its tail like a whip, and sent Sebek flying off. He flew through their air, up clear over the beast, and landed on top of Azul, the pair becoming tangled together. Once again, the monster prepared to attack… …Only to hiss and glare as a metal fighting baton smacked it near the eye. “Leave them alone!” Matthew shouted, shakily standing with yourself and Grim behind him.

The beast roared in response, and began to stomp towards you. Steadily, the three of you moved back, till your spines all touched the wall. The Enormous Crocodile seemed to smirk sadistically, as the carnivorous creature licked its lips. “This would almost be appealing if I didn’t feel terrified,” you whimpered to yourself. “Not now, Minion,” mumbled Grim. Satyr, adopted a ready position, but he was clearly in no condition to fight, struggling to keep his balance and stay upright as the invisible chains of Doubt and Despair kept him tethered. “We just…have to hold out…till James’ power wears off,” he coughed out. “How long will that take?” you asked. Matthew paused before saying, “I don’t know.” “Well, you’re totally useless,” Grim sighed. Satyr looked like he was about to protest that…when the Crocodile lunged forward. This time, instead of lunging out of the way, Matthew used all his strength to leap upwards, and landed on top of the Crocodile’s head. He reached out and covered the monster’s hands, one with each hand. With a hiss of anger, the reptile began to thrash about, trying to knock Satyr off, but Matthew held on with the grip of a bulldog and wouldn’t let go! Finally, the beast stumbled towards one of the walls and slammed its own head into it. Matthew jumped clear to avoid being crushed, and rolled across the floor. You and Grim pushed off of the wall and staggered to try and help Matthew, but the crocodile was already shaking off its momentary daze, and was dragging its belly across the ground, now enraged as well as hungry. Jagged, dirty fangs spread wide, revealing a vast, yawning chasm of a maw, ready to engulf you in a single bite… …But before you got to know an intimate account of a feral crocodile’s inner anatomy, a huge brown something seemed to drop from the ceiling above and blocked the way, landing between yourself and the monstrous creature. “Sssit.”

You knew that voice. You and Grim blinked as you peered up, helping Matthew to his feet. You never thought you’d be happier to recognize the patterns of those scaly coils… “Nako!” Nakoda smirked over his shoulder briefly; you caught a glimpse of his eyes. He had activated his Unique Magic; the swirling, mesmerizing, beautiful colors nearly knocked you senseless in a second, before he focused his attention back on the Crocodile. “Sssit!” he repeated, firmly. The Crocodile’s jaw was still agape, but now it seemed…loose. Slack. As if the command had frozen it in place. The animal’s eyes were spinning with the same rainbow of neon hues as Nakoda’s own. It tried to blink, to break the contact, but it’s eyes would only reach half-shut before snapping open again. “Sssit, sssilly thing,” cooed Nakoda, in a honeyed voice. “Come on. Be a good boy. You want to obey your Massster, don’t you, you big lug?” The crocodile made a low noise…and sat down, almost like a dog, before finally laying down fully on its belly, head resting upon the floor of the cave. Nakoda crooned and slithered closer, one clawed hand tracing the giant carnivore’s jawline. “Awww, sssuch a good boy,” he teased, as if speaking to beloved pet. “Who’s a good Crocky-Wocky, huh? Who’s a good ssscaly boy, hmmm?” Nakoda snickered as the crocodile’s tail began to wag like a happy mutt’s. “Now,” Nako said, and pointed his tail towards the cave. “Massster wantsss you to go and sssleep for a while. A big, tough, handsome croc-o like you needs his sssleep. Ssso, you go and ressst for a while, okay? How about, sssay…four hours? Maybe five? Do you think you can do that for me, my preciousss crocky?” The crocodile bobbed its head and made a sort of deep, bassy, almost purring kind of noise. “That’sss my little ssscaly baby,” giggled Nakoda, and gave the giant predator a peck on the snout before releasing him. “Now, off to bed! Chop-chop!” The Enormous Crocodile made another low sound…and slowly, it lumbered back towards the passage it had come from, eyes still spinning with vibrant colors. It slank back into the chamber, and - not long after its tail vanished into the inky blackness - the sound of rumbling snores filled the pit. Nakoda blinked twice, and his eyes returned to their own typical golden state. He then began to shift into his human form, coils changing into trouser-clad legs with familiar leather boots, while the clothes that typically covered his top seemed to morph into existence out of thin air. “Phew!” he sighed, as the transformation finished. He grinned proudly, turning to face you. “Ssseems like I got here jussst in time!” “Absolutely,” you smiled back. “Took you long enough,” groused Grim. “Jeeze, ungrateful much?” sneered Nakoda. “If you hadn’t been asleep at camp, you would have been under the same trap as us,” Azul piped up; he and Sebek had untangled from around each other and were standing up. “I suppose sometimes your lax attitude in places can be useful.” “I’m ssso flattered,” drawled Spivak, sarcastically. “Hey!” piped up Matthew, also standing. “Where’s Kes?”

Right on cue, the sound of jingling bells erupted overhead. You all looked up and saw the familiar sight of a yellow pixie, waving down at you all. “Kes!” Matthew exclaimed in delight, and jumped up, flying into the air. He cupped the pixie in his hands, a broad, loving smile on his baby-faced features as he nuzzled her with his cheek. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re safe! You were so quick, finding help! I owe you one, ‘kay?” Kes jingled out something that you were pretty sure equated to, You bet you owe me one! Satyr laughed…but soon stopped when he saw how most of your team below was staring up at him. “What?” he asked. “You’re flying,” you pointed out, frankly. “Yeah, I do that,” Matthew shrugged. “Not when you’re under a certain spell,” Azul reminded him, adjusting his spectacles.

Matthew blinked…then grinned. “Awww, RIGHT!” he exclaimed, and joyously cartwheeled through the air. “HA HA! Take that, James! Faith and Trust beats you any day!” “More like spells wearing off beats him,” mumbled Sebek. “Well, if it’s worn off on Satyr up there, it’s worn off on all of us,” Azul said. Noticing Nakoda’s confused expression, he then hastily explained the situation to the naga. “Hmmm…sssounds like quite the pickle,” the snake-boy observed, lounging in his own coils with his hands behind his head. “It is indeed,” Sebek spoke up. He was trying to climb up the walls, but couldn’t find proper footing, and kept slipping back down. “Grrrr…by the time we climb out of here, that inferior monster…” The snore of the giant croc in the cave beyond indicated who he meant. “...Will be awake once again! Not to mention that spineless codfish will be long gone with his ill-gotten gains!” “Not necessarily,” smiled Matthew, and lowered himself, so that he once more stood hovering a foot or two above the ground. “Now that the spell’s worn off, I think I can get us out of here.”

“You’re on the opposite team,” sneered Sebek. “What makes you think we WANT your help?” “Now, now, Sebek, play nicely,” soothed Azul, and smiled one of his most sweet smiles at Matthew. “If you know a way to assist us, I would be happy to return the favor anytime you wish!” “Awww, there’s no need for that,” chuckled Satyr, waving his hands placatingly before picking up his fighting baton and tucking it into its holster. “After all, we’re all fellow mages here, right? And besides, I think all of us have the same goal right now: get outta this cave, find James, and stop him. Right?” “Right,” all of you agreed in unison. “But how are we going to get out to begin with?” Grim meowed. “Fly, of course!” beamed Matthew. All of you stared at him. “What now?” “How are WE sssupposssed to fly?” Nakoda sneered, hands on his cocked hips, eyebrow arched. “We don’t have any brooms down here!” “Psh. Who needs a broom?” scoffed Matthew. “Anybody can fly!” “Not anybody,” Azul frowned. “To my knowledge, on our campus, the only ones who can levitate easily at will are Ortho Shroud and Malleus Draconia. One is an android, and the other…is Malleus.” “Indeed!” Sebek nodded, snorting in Matthew’s direction. “I would like to see YOU match the great Malleus in magical propensity, and hover like a fine bird, you mere scrap of a half-fae!” “Sebek, he is literally floating right now,” Azul reminded him. “Right. I knew that,” Sebek mumbled. Grim giggled beside you. So did Matthew. “It’s really not that hard,” Satyr said, and winked, pointing a thumb at his own chest. “Not with my Unique Magic. Come on! I’ll show you all how it works!” He held out his palms, and added, “Join hands! Quickly!”

With only the slightest hesitation, all of you did just that. Your left hand held Nakoda’s, while your right held Grim’s paw. You gave both a tender, affirming sort of squeeze. “Okay, Kes,” Satyr said to her with a nod. “Give us a good dusting, okay?” Kes, who had been flying in slow circles over your heads, nodded. She rang her bells, and a shower of golden, glitter-like dust fell over all of you. Grim sneezed as it sprinkled across his nose, while Sebek looked like he might do the same, but managed to hold back. At another nod from Matthew, the pixie stopped, and the dust seemed to disappear, as if being soaked into all of your bodies. “Well? What now?” asked Azul, looking a bit unsettled. “It’s easier than pie,” giggled Matthew, then closed his eyes. He focused, as he uttered an incantation… “Think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings. All it takes is pixie dust, mixed with a little…Faith and Trust!” Slowly, a golden aura began to surround all of you. Matthew released his hands, and all of you did the same, stepping back as you watched the beautiful shine flow over your limbs. Satyr was somehow bouncing in mid-air, clapping excitedly. “Ohhhh, it’s been FOREVER since I’ve done this with anybody else!” he squealed. “Done what?” Grim grimaced. “Nothing is happening still!” “That’s because you aren’t thinking right!” Matthew snorted. “What’s that supposed to mean?” glared Sebek. “My power is the exact opposite of James’ power,” Matthew explained. “Now all that you have to do is think of a wonderful thought.” “Any merry little thought?” Sebek blinked. “Well, not just ANY wonderful thought,” admitted Satyr, scratching the back of his head, crossing his legs in mid-air while Kes perched on top of his beret. “See, it’s gotta be a STRONG one. Think of something REALLY good, something that makes you happier than anything else All of you and your fellow Night Raven students looked at each other, and shrugged. What did any of you have to lose? “Alright, I’ll try first,” said Azul, and stepped forward, closing his eyes. He tilted his head back, and smiled, as he uttered the word of his thought: “Money!” Nothing happened. “It’s not working!” scowled Grim. “I’ll try,” said Sebek, and soon announced his happy thought: “I choose the most wonderful gift I could ever receive: the smile of my liege!” ZOOM!

With an alarmed cry, Sebek suddenly seemed to be launched into the air, as if he had bounced off an invisible trampoline. “LOOK! IT DOES WORK!” you laughed. “It works too well!” Sebek retorted, flailing his arms and legs as he clumsily spun about in mid-air. “H-How does one control this magic?!” “Just relax! Hold on to that happy thought and don’t fight it!” Matthew called out. Relaxing wasn’t Sebek’s strong point, but he finally managed to stabilize himself in mid-air, hovering much as Matthew was doing. Satyr grinned, rubbing his hands together eagerly as he looked at the remaining four of you taht were still grounded. “Hurry! Try yourselves!” he said. You weren’t about to waste time on that decision. “Christmas!” you called out. It was the first thing that came to your head. ZOOM! Gravity seemed to abandon you, and you drifted quickly into the air, like a helium balloon released from its string. You slowed just a few feet shy of the ceiling, laughing as you hovered beside a still unsteadily-bobbing Sebek. You looked down to see how the rest were faring. “Money!” Azul yelled again. “The world’s biggest tuna!” Grim yowled. ZOOM! Grim was thrown into the air, hovering directly beside you. “Money!” Azul snapped, bouncing up and down as if trying to get some lift. “A nice, long coil massssssage!” Nakoda cried out. ZOOM! Nakoda went spinning upwards. “MONEY!” Azul screamed at the top of his lungs. “Curse it all, why isn’t this working for me?!” “Maybe try something better?” suggested Matthew. Azul looked at Matthew like he’d grown two heads. “There’s something better than money?” Satyr facepalmed. So did Kes atop his head. “Isn’t there ANYTHING you can think of that might be better?” you called down. Azul looked up at you. Then he squirmed slightly. He was visibly embarrassed as he dipped his head, averting his eyes “I’d…prefer not to admit it aloud,” he whispered. “You don’t have to say it!” Matthew urged. “Just think it! And think it now! The longer we tarry, the further James and Smitty get!”

Azul nodded, a firmness on his features. He closed his eyes and paused… …And then…slowly but surely…a weightlessness, a lightness, seemed to flow through the greedy octopus. He opened his eyes…and nearly toppled clear out of the sky as he realized he was already halfway to ceiling, floating up at a steady pace. “Hold on to that thought!” Matthew reminded him. Azul gulped and did, and soon began to float up towards you all. As he finally got to the same level as the rest of you, you applauded; when the others joined suit, you took great delight in memorizing the cecaelia’s blushing expression. “We’ve done it!” Grim cheered, turning a somersault in the air. “Nya-ha-ha! WE CAN FLY!” “You bet you can!” laughed Matthew, and pointed up towards the hole in the ceiling. “Come on, everybody! LET’S GO CATCH A PIRATE!” Whooping and laughing, all of you followed Satyr as he and Kes led the way through the hole in the ceiling and out of the pit. You spent only a brief time in the warm, bright air and sunlight before swooping back around, towards the main entrance to the Dwarf’s Mine. “What did you think of?” you asked Azul, as you flew alongside him. Azul looked at you for a moment, then smiled slyly. “Let’s just say there’s one thing, and only one thing, I value more than money. I’m never telling what it is.” You shrugged. “Suit yourself,” you said, and flew a bit faster. You couldn’t help but feel like that wasn’t the end of that conversation…but for now, the riddle would have to wait. You zipped up beside Matthew. “How are we going to find them?” you called, as the wind rushed through your hair, your arms outstretched as you tried to mimic the way Satyr posed in the air, your friends all trailing behind the pair of you. “Oh, don’t worry,” chuckled Matthew, as your crew flew into the shadowy passages beyond. “I already know EXACTLY where they’re headed.” “That’s good to know. Any ideas on what to do when we find them?” Satyr paused in mid-air, and the rest of you somehow skidded through the atmosphere to a quick halt. Matthew blushed. “Uh…not really,” he admitted. “Well, that’s one way to kill the mood,” huffed Grim. “Never fear,” you smirked. “I think I’VE got a plan.” “Don’t you always?” smiled Azul, adjusting his spectacles as he floated over to you. “Care to share?” You nodded, and looked towards Sebek, before asking the crocodile fairy a question: “Think you’ve got enough magic to conjure up a few simple items?” “Ha! Without that wretched Codfish’s enchantment upon me, I have a bounty of magic at my disposal!” barked Zigvolt. “Good,” you said, and gestured for Matthew to lead the way as you steadily continued your flight through the tunnels. “Then here’s what we will do…”

To Be Continued in Part 5…

[queenslayerbee]

I thought I'd make one of these to see if I find more like-minded writers ^-^

I want to read stories that put the focus on women. By personal inclination, it’s what I’m interested in, both in regards to reading and to writing. I seek new stories with a central female lead that gets to be writing as a lead, as the subject in the story –NOT as the object of desire or obsession of a male love interest that steals the limelight from her. I, in particular, want to find stories about women, plural. The Smurfette Syndrome is something I find more and more irksome each day that passes, so what I want to read most are stories about relationships between women. These can be of any kind: sismances, romantic relationships, psychosexual obsessions between enemies, messed-up family dynamics... you name it.

When it comes to genre choices, I diversify more when it comes to reading than to writing. But in the end, my one true love remains the fantasy genre. I’m particularly interested in high fantasy, in stories set in fictional worlds of your invention, but as long as the premise interests me, I am game for any subgenre you can name. I like sci-fi, mysteries, and horror, as well as other subgenres I’m a bit more particular about, like comedy or non-fiction (although I’d be surprised to find that in tumblr; if you have a non-fiction WIP, you’d probably get me hooked by the sheer novelty).

Although there’s nothing wrong with an everywoman getting thrown to the deep end in a supernatural plot, and I’ll gladly read those stories if they catch my eye, I like my special snowflake protagonists. All kinds of creatures, witches, political leaders, goddesses, (in)famous outlaws, etc. I like grandiose stories, and they usually come with the territory.

Give me your unlikeable women. There’s nothing I crave more than stories that allow their female characters to behave in truly awfuly, ugly ways.

I don’t necessarily mind romance, if it’s well-written and it doesn’t come with tropes I despise or find annoying on the long run (oblivious mutual pinning, relentless pursuers, super macho dom guys paired with meek shy submissive girls incapable of standing up for themselves...). But my preferences at this moment are a.) little to no focus on romance, or b.) tragic romance, especially between women.

I am looking for stories geared towards adult audiences. This doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be super sexually explicit or violent; people often confuse those two things (and for the record, I’m very comfortable with high rated content. Give me some warning if you truly think it’s necessary, but otherwise, if I need to put something down I’ll do it myself just fine). What I want is stories that, well. Treat me like an adult xD

I love descriptive, atmospheric, quasi purple prose, but it’s not a requirement. I’m just putting it here because if this is what you veer towards, and feel self-conscious about it, I’m your gal.

[kitsunefaux]

A sequel already? Please tell us about the Swan Prince! XD

Yes! I've been working on it in the background of other things. I have some ideas, but am still trying to figure out the main plot. I've written a prologue and the beginning of the first chapter. No current timeline for when I'm going to post it, but it's definitely in the works.

Here's an excerpt from the prologue:

(Content Warning: Character Death)

Ryou existed in a single moment, his right hand wrapped around a familiar dagger buried to the hilt in the heart of the man he despised, his left hand pressed over his husband’s mouth to muffle his scream. Red blood—so disgustingly human—soaked through as shock turned to terror in equally red eyes. It had to be the most beautiful thing Ryou had ever seen. 

Ryou released his hold over En’s mouth as the man’s breath stuttered, his chest rising and falling erratically. En’s hand moved, grasping for the dagger, but he was already weakening, and Ryou easily slapped it away.

“You don’t want to do that, love,” Ryou crooned and leaned forward, his long white hair slipping from his shoulders. “Right now, this blade is the only thing keeping you alive.” A giggle slipped unbidden from his lips as inhuman blue eyes gleamed in the dark like a cat’s. “For a few minutes, at least. As soon as I remove it, the chambers of your heart will fill with blood, and it won’t be able to beat anymore.” He clicked his tongue, shaking his head with false pity. “And after everything you did to try and lock out death, it steals in through the window.”

“Y-you’re a— You can’t—” But En couldn’t keep hold of his words; it took all his concentration to continue breathing. Still, Ryou knew what he had been attempting to say.

“Yes, I am a fae,” Blue eyes narrowed. “A fact you seem to have forgotten somewhere along the way.” Ryou hummed, tapping at his chin. “Under certain circumstances, we can break one of our Laws, though I’m sure I’ll pay a heavy price. I’ll be cast out from regular fae society, but my family will still be there for me.” Ryou ran a finger down the line of En’s jaw and murmured, “Which is more than anyone has ever been able to say about you.”

En glared up at him, but the effect was lessened by the way his eyes had begun to lose focus. Ryou’s husband took a few seconds to gather the energy necessary to ask what would be his final question. 

“Why?”

Ryou tilted his head, white hair swaying slightly. “There are many reasons; it’s difficult to say which one caused the kettle to boil over. You’re a monster, Necrophades; you know that as well as I. And I hate you more than I’ve ever hated anything in my life. I don’t think I actually knew what hate was before I met you, before you stole me away from my home, my family, my life.” En’s eyelids fluttered. He didn’t have much time left. “But if I had to choose one…” 

En cried out as Ryou yanked up, freeing the dagger from his chest, and Ryou had never heard a sweeter sound. Blood rushed in to fill the now vacant hole, and En’s body stiffened as his chest seized. Ryou cupped En’s cheek with a blood-stained hand and leaned down, pressing one last kiss to his husband’s quivering lips.

“It’s because you made me love you.”

[voyeuristicvixen]

Captains Log No.33_ addsmespice

Firuz and Inari are a pair of naughty ass alts tht I made to start some adult content w WAV and we have yet to shoot a scene with them but for avis that I put together with less than 100Ls they look goodt. Stay Tuned! Follow their twitter its, https://twitter.com/firuzinari!!

she cute X.X So yaaahhhhhh Wav and I are working on episode 2 of Meta Love Talks and I am working in general on a full schedule for my creative ass (thank the fates) I am super grateful that I have so many amazing ideas and I ask for the strength to carry them out to completion and be fully committed and consistent in the act of self love that is putting it all out. AMEN!

Sub to our Youtube page! https://www.youtube.com/@studio19.

One thing we didnt mention and want to make sure we do more moving forward is give visibility and credits to all the creators that make our content possible. I honestly haven’t been good at doing that because of pure laziness lol. I will do better! I do not want to gatekeep any of these amazing creative tools and things that come together to make videos and pics and looks possible! So ya that first episode we filmed at a historic Sci Fi spot in SL called Hangars Liquides, def a place to check out because the artists there are dedicated to the political movements that art generates in their home countries. Its a dope ass movement behind Hangars that we didnt know about till after the filming. I have to do a whole post and more on that because its so fascinating to me.

I have been pulled into a deeper love for the history of SL, as time goes on there will be more history added and so everything we do in this platform can become apart of that too. Something to think about. Legacy is important to me. In RL and SL has now been a fun way to “troubleshoot” so to speak, the habits and skills necessary to make that happen fr. My Amor tribe will grow, and I have recently been honored to have been asked to be someones daughter. *pinch me im dreaming!* So now we growing our own family and im being introduced into another one all at once. Inshallah!  

Im pretty sure a black creator on zooby hud made this texture for the onesie and its just so clever because its got shoes and pants and a top but on one onesie its brilliant! I need to log in and look and add in where its from later for yall! Genius.

We have been experimenting and practicing more with lighting and photography, getting content. Its been a lot of fun and sometimes also can be daunting. Always remember never compare yourself or your work to others as tempting as it may be! Unless you want to stifle you motivation and creativity! Heed this warning fellow creators don’t you dare do that to yourself! I get into that mode sometimes feeling like “oh no one likes my stuff” but then I realize that hey, I LOVE IT lol and thats all that matters. The bonus is that people that end up liking it too  are oftentimes creators that I myself admire and who’s work I think is amazing representation of SL so that means a lot more to me than having hundreds of likes. I see a lot of ppl get discouraged and maybe this can help put things into a diff perspective. Keep doing you!

Wav had a whole ass amazing idea to do a shoot in the rain and so of course I needed to have us do a kiss in the rain. We have that on our RL couples bucket list. I think one of our meta love talk episodes will def have to include that segment in there because its really fun putting together and finding new things that we can experience together. Game changer! Anywayssss look how cuuuuuteeee they aree *hearteyes*

I be so annoying and nagging Wav a lot more than I would like to admit XD He shuts me up when he does things like take me on romantic dates like this... its such a treat. Also funny asl whenever we try and have a meal and realize we actually have to make reservations so that people can RP the whole dinner for us lmaooo. I hope that one day we can fully get it together but it is really the thought that counts for me. I dont care if we are eating air sandwiches as long as its with MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN. lols and they had a bar cart! I was going in on green fairy absinthe and champagne. Reminded me of RL college days I made my own wormwood tincture.. I used to concoct all kinds of potions since very young. I started out in a coven in 3rd grade... but thats another story entirely !

We need to go back and buy this couples walker it was such a delightful thing lol even when it was glitching out we were walking on air and thats how I feel when I am around this man (and when he’s not being annoying because we are mirrors for one another lmao) Fairytales are not always a walk in the park, the beautiful moments only exist because you choose to make them happen. Our generation has to learn that great things do not always come quick, they can be easy sure but things that last take time.

[saellefanwork]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

Reminder: This Demon Slayer fic is rated Mature (adults only) for canon-typical violence and eventual suggestive or explicit sexual content

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Chapter 21: Upper Moon Three

The Slayers strive to rescue their Master, but their efforts prove futile—the Domain already lies in ruins, devoid of survivors. The Hashira engage in a fierce battle against the Lord of Demons before they fall inside the Infinity Castle. Inside this perilous dimension, Kyojuro and Kanoko confront their arch-nemesis once more.

Author's note: Just a friendly warning, this is not a "nobody dies" AU. Some characters might die during this Arc. Not all of them, not necessary the same as in canon… to be honest I haven't decided yet. I have some ideas though XD.

Trigger warning: Blood, gore. Reader is suffering a lot, cuz I'm a torturer. Honestly this warning is true for the whole Arc.

Giyuu and you surged through the forest, twisted branches casting haunting shadows under the moonlight as the crows guided your way. Running alongside were Tanjiro, his two companions, and Kanao. The other butterfly girls had stayed behind, including the Insect Pillar who was still in recovery. There was no sign of other Slayers so far; the lower-ranking ones likely trailed behind, struggling to match the frantic pace of their elders, while the other Hashira might have already reached the destination or were converging from different directions.

After roughly twenty minutes of relentless traversal, you reached Master Ubuyashiki's secret shelter— possibly setting a record for such distance. Yet, with every passing second on the way, a feeling of dread crept in, considering that the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps was defenseless before Muzan himself.

The sight that greeted you upon your arrival offered no comfort or hope. The domain lay in ruins, torn apart by a devastating explosion. No member of the Ubuyashiki family was in sight, and even your demonic senses failed to detect their presence. Tamayo, Gyomei and Kyojuro were already on-site, engaged in a fierce battle with a scorched silhouette, likely a demon affected by the blast. Despite the distance, the overwhelming power of this adversary sent shivers down your spine.

Kibutsuji Muzan...

Never before your transformation did you think you would encounter the Lord of Demons himself in your lifetime—the one who had reigned as the master of the night for a thousand years. Yet here he stood, almost within striking range. In unison, you and the reinforcing Slayers unsheathed your katanas. The Nichirin steels sparkled with multicolored gleams. Your canines protruded in the surge of adrenaline as you pushed your muscles to the extreme, rushing toward your companions. You were on the verge of achieving your goal, blade ready to strike down the sworn enemy of humanity when suddenly...

The ground gave way under your feet. Shoji doors opened beneath each of you and Muzan himself. All the present Hashira and Slayers sank into the void.

"Kanoko!"

Kyojuro swiftly caught your arm, and you clung back to him to avoid being separated in the abyss. Sumptuous corridors flashed around you at breakneck speed, spreading in illogical directions. The Hashira plunged his sword into a wooden panel, slicing through a considerable distance. The motion gradually slowed, ultimately halting your free fall.

Breathless, you hastily surveyed your surroundings. The laws of physics seemed to heed their own rules in this upside-down architecture. Walls, floors, and corridors formed suspended labyrinths in what appeared to be endless expanse. Glancing downward, you noted the dizzying height that separated you from the next platform. While confident in your survival due to immortality, doubt lingered regarding Kyojuro's fate. Swallowing hard, you looked up at your companion, whose expression was contorted with pain and exertion. His shoulder had absorbed a substantial blow to halt your rapid descent, and he continued to strain to keep you above the void.

The katana threatened to slip out of the wall, intensifying the urgency of escaping this precarious situation. Reassessing your environment, you spotted a balcony below, diagonally to your right. Although inverted from your perspective, the angle revealed a vase standing upright beneath its surface. Gravity seemed reversed on that platform. The jump appeared complex, but if executed with precision, grabbing the edge and landing on the right side should allow you to stand on the floor, mirroring the vase.

"There's a spot at 2 o’clock under our feet. I'll jump first," you informed your partner.

Kyojuro nodded, his gaze fixed on the same spot. Still holding onto him with one arm, you sheathed your sword and braced your zori against the wooden wall. Releasing the Hashira, you propelled yourself toward the platform. Grasping the edge of the engawa with both hands, you found yourself momentarily disoriented—suspended in the void, with the corridor in front of you appearing upside down, the ceiling toward your feet. Ignoring the dizziness of your confused inner ear, you pulled yourself up and tipped onto the engawa. Your assumption was correct: your orientation shifted once your feet touched the ground, allowing you to stand on it, much like the vase. Cautiously observing your surroundings, you put your hands on the guard of your katana, ready to draw it out if necessary. No demons were in sight... at least for now.

Peering from beneath the edge, you locked eyes with your childhood friend, who remained suspended with his feet pointing toward you.

"The path is clear, Kyo!" you called out, extending one of your arm toward him, trying to ignore the disorienting sensation caused by the fact that both of you were oriented differently.

The young man nodded and, in turn, braced against the wall before flexing his muscles, propelling himself in your direction. He swung his red katana away from the facade, sheathing it mid-air to prevent accidentally hurting either of you. Despite months of training with his new handicap, his missing eye impeded precise jumps, and only one of his hands managed to catch the balcony. You seized his other hand, pulled him, and he quickly stood on his feet beside you.

"What a disconcerting dimension," he grumbled with a somber expression. "The Upper Moon generating it must be very powerful."

You nodded. "The Infinity Castle. Tamayo had already told us about it. I thought she was exaggerating when describing it, but her account now seems to pale in contrast with reality."

The Blood Demon Art at work seemed to be a superior version of what Kyogai, a demoted Lower Moon, had possessed when Tanjiro and his friends faced and defeated him at the beginning of their Slayer careers. Similar to how Meikaishi had a power akin to Enmu's but more potent. You shuddered at the thought of the remaining Kizuki you had yet to face, not to mention Kibutsuji himself... and in their own fabricated territory, no less.

You and Kyojuro found yourselves navigating through twisted corridors, trying to find your way to Muzan. Kaname had spotted you and was trying to guide you through the labyrinth, communicating with other crows and Kagaya's heir through talismans. As you pressed forward, deftly defeating lower, mindless creatures that roamed in the area, you noticed the air was gradually growing thick with an otherworldly tension. The occasional unsettling echoes of distant battles grew closer and more frequent. A sudden ominous feeling engulfed you. At the same moment, the ceiling opened, and a figure landed in front of you with a crash, scattering fragments of wood and bamboo in all directions. Both you and Kyojuro came to a halt, pointing your katanas at the newcomer - indubitably a strong demon. As the dust settled, the monster responsible for your beloved's demise in many timelines was revealed.

Akaza

A crimson haze of rage blurred your vision. Beside you, your lover fared no better. Veins pulsed on his forehead and the hands gripping his katana's handle. He had every reason to harbor hatred toward the tattooed man. Not only did he bear the guilt of numerous crimes as a Kizuki, but he was also the catalyst for your transformation into a demon.

"Well, well... look who we have here, Kyojuro, and you, the demon who turned away from Muzan-sama... Nagase Kanoko, right?" Your had never disclosed your name to him. He must have gathered it from someone else. "I could sense your strong battle spirits from the opposite side of the Fortress."

"Akaza!" roared the Flame Pillar.

With ferocious speed, Kyojuro lunged at your opponent, leaving a fiery trail behind him. Following suit, you shifted to the side, aiming to catch your enemy off guard.

Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!

Akaza effortlessly dodged the attack, a playful smile gracing his lips. In response, he unleashed a series of punches impossible to follow with the naked eye in the direction of the Hashira.

Destructive Kill: War Style

Despite the powerful impacts, Kyojuro managed to block most of the assaults with his fourth form, being pushed back a few meters. Akaza was still facing away from you, focused on his fiery opponent. Seizing the opportunity, you aimed directly for his neck.

Time Breathing, Fourth Form: Death Knell Tolls!

Destructive Kill, Leg Form: Cap Tip Slice

Anticipating your movements, the pink-haired martial artist leaned forward, slamming his hands to the ground and propelling his heel directly toward your chin. You narrowly avoided it by slowing down his attack and executing a backward somersault.

The battle unfolded with you and Kyojuro executing a flurry of attacks on either side of your adversary, yet failing to inflict him serious injuries. It became evident that he had adapted to your combat styles since your last encounter. His regeneration abilities were impressive, allowing him to almost instantly regrow severed limbs. The only demon you had faced capable of such rapid healing was Douma, and that encounter had involved six against one...

Destructive Kill, Leg Form: Flowing Light Flash

The demon striked a series of kicks that sent Kyojuro hurtling off the platform. The Hashira collided with another floating building in a muffled crash, tearing through several walls without slowing his trajectory.

"Kyojuro!" you shouted in panic.

Akaza didn't grant you a moment to worry about your partner; he immediately lunged at you, chaining punches and kicks at a breathtaking speed. Despite your attempts to use various katas to slow down his assaults, he adapted his rhythm to your forms without showing signs of fatigue. It was as if he could predict your moves in advance, regardless of their execution speed. How was such a feat possible?

"I was distracted by my fight against Kyojuro and the sunrise, last time. Your Breathing technique won't work on me anymore," he declared.

Feigning a punch, he swiftly changed his stance, sending his heel towards your liver. You managed to parry the impact with your arm, which ended up crushed against your ribs. Bones shattered, and internal organs ruptured. Spitting blood, you curled up, retreating several steps, holding your sword with your only functional arm.

"I don't usually kill women, even Slayers," explained Akaza as he attempted to sweep your leg - a move you narrowly avoided. "But since you're a demon, you won't die. I can let loose. Your Blood Demon Art is powerful, and your martial abilities surpass those of Daki; it would be a waste to eliminate you. I'll bring you back to Lord Muzan. If he spares you and puts you under his command, we'll have the leisure to face each other for eternity!"

While remaining on the defensive, you cast a brief glance at the gaping hole in the neighboring facade. Still no sign of Kyojuro. It was brief, but you had seen him parry the blow in time, so he must be alive. Perhaps he had momentarily lost consciousness?

"That won't happen. I'd rather burn in the sunlight than become Kibutsuji's puppet. And if you had even a shred of honor left, you would do the same."

The insult to his honor brought forth veins of rage all around Upper Moon Three's pale face, his golden eyes glimmering with resentment. His assaults accelerated, which you didn't think was possible. You were almost regenerated, but despite the almost inexhaustible energy of demons, you felt yourself weakening. Your black horns were growing back, and your canines emerging again, unable to concentrate to maintain your human form any longer.

"You willingly chose to become a demon, though, didn't you? I'm pretty sure you did it for power too, in order to face me. Could you not convince Kyojuro to do the same? He has such magnificent swordman’s qualities, but his human condition limits his potential."

You were not in the mood to argue with one of your sworn enemies, but Akaza seemed talkative, and you needed to buy time: to regenerate and assess the situation, hoping for the arrival of Kyojuro or other Slayers. You doubted your chances of winning this formidable fight alone were high. You shook your head.

"You're wrong," you said, shifting your guard to a lower stance to conceal your next move. "Kyojuro is strong because he is a human, one of the best of his kind. Turning him into a demon would ruin him. Only the weak like you and me accept losing their humanity for a force as superficial as ours. The true strength lies in the flame that burns within one's heart, much like his or Kamado's. But I guess you've been a demon for too long to understand."

With a look of pure disdain, the demon lunged at you again, ready to tear you apart. You managed to cut off his arms in time with your first kata, catching him off guard with your speed and precision. Seizing the opening, you exhaled hard, endeavoring to manipulate the flow of time long enough for you to sever his head from his torso.

Time Breathing, Fourth Form: Death Knell Tolls!

It seemed like the perfect opportunity, yet it failed again. He once more anticipated your actions, blocking your katana with his freshly grown left hand and striking the flat of the blade with a punch. The silver-blue Nichirin steel shattered like mere glass. In the next moment, Akaza's arm pierced through you, impaling your vital organs.

As you vomited blood, eyes wide with pain, the agony surged to unimaginable peaks. Such torment was not meant to be one anyone would survive. Was this what Kyojuro had felt in his final moments? How had he gathered the strength to attempt a deathblow to his assailant with such a gaping hole in his stomach? No... if he had done it, you too must endure. Giving up now would feel like a betrayal to him.

Trying to ignore the biceps still-twitching within you, you drew Akaza closer. Locking your free arm and legs around him, you attempted to immobilize him before starting to cut his neck with the remnants of your shattered katana.

His skin and muscles were as hard as steel. Inhaling with a hiss, as much as your punctured lungs allowed, you focused your all your strength. The blade was halfway through his neck, when Akaza managed to break free. He twisted your arm, compelling you to release your sword with a weak scream. Weaponless, you sunk your sharp fangs into his throat, striving to tear the rest of his head off with the force of your jaws alone.

"Wow! You have a very vicious way of fighting, like a rabid beast," mocked the Upper Moon. "Is that pathetic move the best you can do with your fighting spirit? Seems like I misjudged you."

Grabbing your hair, he pulled you backward, casually tearing his jugular in the process. The deadly flow of blood instantly ceased. He executed a move that you struggled to follow, but the next moment saw you pinned to the ground under his control within a pool of blood. This man wielded more experience in close combat, and your regenerative abilities were not as rapid as his, likely due to insufficient feeding on humans.

The Kizuki ruthlessly compressed your arms under his knees, causing your shoulders to dislocate and bones to give way. A choked cry escaped you, as you found yourself unable to muster the strength to resist. The gaping hole in your chest persisted, accompanied by a severe skull fracture and various other injuries, casting your vision in a reddish haze.

Suddenly, Akaza stopped his movements, looking down at you as you weakly groaned beneath him, utterly helpless. His malevolent smile faded, replaced by a fleeting expression of horror and doubt. His golden eyes clouded slightly, as if a different vision blurred his sight. Was he seeing someone else in your place? Could this be the reason he typically refrained from attacking women?

Perhaps entwined with the remnants of his distant human life, the demon failed to immediately sense Kyojuro's approaching presence.

Flame Breathing, Eight Form: Undying Embers!

Upper Moon Three narrowly avoided decapitation; only the top of his skull was sliced, but it almost instantly grew back. The kata involved a series of circular cuts, but the martial artist skillfully defended his neck each time, though each blow landed on different parts of his body.

"Oh! Something has changed, Kyojuro! You're even stronger than before! Interesting... I thought you had already reached your limits! Perfect, it's even more exciting like this!"

He was right, there was a notable transformation in your childhood friend. His execution speed was even higher than you remembered, but his red eye and the rest of his features were devoid of their usual warlike rage while caught up in a difficult fight. His visage was drenched with blood, likely from the severe concussion from his brutal impact against the other building. Yet, beneath the river of hemoglobin, you discerned darker, flame-like patterns.

 

Kyojuro had awakened his Demon Slayer Mark.

Taisho secret: The canonical story remains silent about the Flame Breathing Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Forms, leaving room for our imagination. With this chapter, we have finally seen all my interpretation of these missing kata:

Flame Breathing, Sixth Form: Meteorite Fall The swordsman descends from above onto his opponent, cutting them into pieces.

Flame Breathing, Seventh Form: Phoenix’s Wrath A deadly scorching attack, taking the shape of a phoenix.

Flame Breathing, Eighth Form: Undying embers Multiple circular or oblique attacks designed to decapitate or corner a formidable opponent.

Next chapter: "The Tsuguko's Teachings"

[victoriacoffee]

Hey, I'm Victoria!

18 || she/her || likely never leaving the dsmp fandom at this point

◇ I'm mostly here for writing memes, art, and basically anything fanfic or fanart related to c!Staged Duo

◇ Shameless c!Dream apologist and c!Staged Duo enthusiast

◇ Dms and ask box open, but no politics pls I use this app as an escape from that stuff

◇ All my art will be tagged here under #victoriacoffee's art

◇ All my art will also be posted my Cara acc

◇ I also have a fine art insta acc and a crochet insta acc and a twitter, but I don't use these as often as they are dumpster fires lol

◇ As stated in my bio, I do a lot of different kinds of art, some of which include traditional and digital drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), mixed media, crochet, and plastic canvas but also do collage and quilling sometimes and I've tried out a lot of random things XD

◇ I also write! Here's my Ao3 (It's almost entirely c!Dream whump and angst)

◇ I actually have oc's I should be writing about as well as other fandoms I wanna write about, but my 4 year hyperfixation on Dsmp is too powerful XD

◇ Also just so you're warned in advance, I write kinda dark stuff with a lot of graphic violence-

◇ c!DreamXD once said, "Death fuels me," and that's a pretty good description of me as an author tbh. No matter what I'm writing, the blorbos always suffer

◇ I also play video games but mostly Minecraft

◇ I'm a nightowl and I live on coffee and monster

◇ Also Punz is my favorite streamer. I used to have a rant here defending him but I don't think that's necessary anymore. I don't care if you love him or if you hate him, but if you're in my feed being a dick to him, I might block you because I don't really wanna see that shit

NOTE: this blog is mostly character/lore based. Though I may occasionally post about content creators, you can safely assume all my writing/art is meant to depict characters on the dsmp and not the content creators themselves unless stated otherwise

[yandereloversblog]

𝕐𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖!𝔾𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕜 𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕕𝕪 -> 𝕐𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝔸𝕝𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕓𝕖𝕥

───────•°˖~❉᯽❉~˖°•───────

───────•°˖~❉᯽❉~˖°•───────

>Fandom: Five Nights At Freddy's: Security Breach

>Character: Glamrock Freddy

>Warnings: Mentions of violence. Abduction. Murder. Unhealthy obsession. Detailed description of said unhealthy obsession. Stalking. Delusional behaviour. Sentient robot. Emotional manipulation. Toxic mindset.

>Type of content: Uh... For this one I'm not sure XD? Basic Information? Character introduction?

───────•°˖~❉᯽❉~˖°•───────

•This is an alphabet set I had in my files from a long time ago so I don't know how it has changed and evolved :')

•Also Glamrock Freddy's Yandere Alphabet because why not start with the big man himself! And this is more of a guideline whenever I'll write an actual story XD

•For extra context, I'd like to add that some of these may be answered for either when you're dating, just friends or you have no idea he exists... Or if he's kidnapped you. I might change from "his darling" to "you" but they're both referring to the reader!

•It does not matter whether you view them as their robot version or as humanoid animatronic. And reminded this is MY personal depiction of this character with my own opinions so please don't get mad XD

───────•°˖~❉᯽❉~˖°•───────

A= Affection: How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy is VERY affectionate, he doesn't mean to be suffocating but he is, even when he realizes how overbearing he is he'll just say it's because he loves his darling so much. Even if you're not dating he's still doing the most to praise you on every little act that you make. He'll TRY not to be very intense, Freddy would like you to be as comfortable as you can with him if that's possible. If you ARE dating though? Well expect lots of cuddles and speeches about how much he loves you. And if you're abducted? Freddy will still preach about how much he loves you but he will try to keep physical contact to a minimal until you're somewhat "comfortable" with him.

B= Blood: If they’re extreme how messy are they willing to get?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy hates getting messy with blood, especially if the blood stains everything else, not only will it be hard and annoying to clean up, and bring more trouble to the other bots but what if his darling stumbles across him like that or in a scene that depicts him as the culprit of a murder? Freddy doesn't want to scare you or make you hate him, besides he's sure there are more, less bloody but sufficient ways to get rid of pests or makes them learn their lesson.

C= Cope: Do they try to deal with this jealousy sooner so they don’t lash out?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy definitely tries to deal with his jealousy the second he realizes what's going on. He doesn't want to bring any problem to his darling by acting out in a rash manner and making them worried. Freddy has the patients to last a long while before lashing out... Unless someone purposely makes him annoyed. And if they do Freddy will deal with them in the best way he could to where you won't have to see that person ever again. You don't need such pests in your life... He'll also get more protective and clingy after the deed is done.

D= Death: Do they feel any sorrow for their victims at all?

: ̗̀➛ At first, maybe yeah. Don't get him wrong, it was their own fault for messing with his darling but the realization he killed someone does make Freddy feel a little bad. It'll probably haunt him for a while... Until he's about 5 victims or a month or two pass by, then he will start to get numbed out at the thought and his actions.

E= Exposed: How much of their heart do they bare to their darling? How vulnerable are they when it comes to their s/o?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy is as vulnerable as one yandere can get, always with soft touches, sweet I love yous and never taking drastic measures unless completely necessary. Sometimes he goes on about how precious you are to him and how much he loves you, it usually lasts about an hour or two unless you stop him. He tried to keep most of his appreciation for your existence inside his own thoughts if you're dating but if you're abducted/kidnapped you'll be hearing everything.

F= Fight: How would they feel if you fought back against them?

: ̗̀➛ Extremly sad. If you're kidnapped and you start to fight back against the bear he'll be devastated even. He doesn't understand. Freddy knows his darling is smart so why can't you understand that your best option is to be with him, he'll keep you safe and protect you from everything and everyone... Sometimes your words -If you decide to speak to him and say more than "Please let me go!" "this isn't right!" Etc- really hurt Freddy. It can even lead to him feeling self conscious enough to understand what he's doing is wrong, but then again he's too far into it to care all that much. Freddy is hell bent on protecting you from everything and that includes the outside world. Just like how he'll get numb at the idea of killing people he'll numb out at your pleas and aggressive fighting.

G= Game: Is this a game to them? How much would they enjoy watching their darling try to escape?

: ̗̀➛ A game? Goodness no! To Freddy this is a very serious matter, he does NOT like his darling trying to escape or even entertain the idea, what if you get lost!? Or hurt!!?? What if he doesn't find you!!!???

H= Hell: What would be their darling’s worst experience with them?

: ̗̀➛ His darling won't ever experience any type of punishment unless they're kidnapped and such, even then maybe it happens once in a blue moon when Freddy's too agitated with you fighting back against him. He won't harm physically, god no... Not too badly at least! I feel like he'd just talk while holding you close to him to the point you'd start to slowly suffocate while Freddy says a word or two about very violent stuff he could do... But once all of that is over all you're gonna hear from him is apologies, he'll feel very bad if he hurt you or made you scared so even he doesn't like these types of moments he has.

I= Ideals: What kind of future do they have in mind for/with their darling?

: ̗̀➛ Probably a happy family? It looks and sounds a bit basic but he feels very happy when thinking about it. Just a cute little future with his darling to where they won't have to worry about anything.

J= Jealousy: Do they get jealous? Do they lash out or find a way to cope?

: ̗̀➛ Yes, he most definitely does. It happens too often for his liking, even with his own band mates! But Freddy tries to cope with it so he doesn't scare his darling no matter what your relationship status is with him. Naturally he'll send a few threatening glares to whoever is hanging around you too closely but that's about it... Unless something extreme happens and he has to step in. Freddy doesn't like getting too violent but he will cross the line to murder and torture if he sees fits.

K= Kisses: How do they act around or with their darling?

: ̗̀➛ Soft. Very soft and loving. Always finding a way to praise and compliment you. If you're strangers -on your part- he'll probably be very shy and try to do small talk, if you're friends Freddy will constantly be around you as much as he can, if you're dating he is practically glued to your side and it's starting to become a hassle to him when he has to go perform or be anywhere else. Freddy's not big on touching you in public other than holding hands or patting your head -Still he doesn't mind you touching him either- but he does love to cuddle on private settings like his room. He'll probably hold off on physical contact if you're kidnapped because he doesn't want to make you THAT uncomfortable. Still it's evident how happy he is when he's around you because of how his ears twitch, his eyes lighting up with adoration and he's basically radiating sunshines with how much he's glowing.

L= Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy was very shy at first, everything was good until he realized his obsession crush on you. Freddy would probably need help and time to even be able to talk normally without feeling a metaphorical heart attack coming up or like his face was blushing a bright red. But once he's over that he'll up the sweet act up by 100 if that's possible, even get you any gifts you want from the pizzaplex! He won't try to come on too strong, it'll probably start off small and sweet and if you let him it'll turn into a problem because he doesn't see you denying him.

M= Mask: Are their true colors drastically different from the way they act around everyone else?

: ̗̀➛ Not much, he's naturally very nice so unless someone is making him angry he doesn't need to show any "true colors". Still, Freddy is a lot nicer and more protective towards you and would choose his darling over all. He doesn't try to hide it at all either.

N= Naughty: How would they punish their darling?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy doesn't exactly like punishing their darling- no, he hates punishing you even on cases like trying to escape. He'll probably leave you alone for a few hours (of course still monitoring you through the cameras) maybe not giving you anything to eat or drink if he's angry but that's about it.

O= Oppression: How many rights would they take away from their darling?

: ̗̀➛ Depends. If you're dating and happy Freddy doesn't really need to take anything, maybe try to insert himself everywhere so you won't be alone- he still needs to protect you! And if you're kidnapped? Oh nothing big- just your freedom. You know, no contact with the outside world or anyone unless it's Freddy.

P= Patience: How patient are they with their darling?

: ̗̀➛ This is one motherfucking patient bear animatronic. His love can turn into blind worship real quickly, to where Freddy believes you're too good for him- for literally anyone, and with this mindset he'll find it impossible to snap at you because you're such a blessing to him. So it'll lead to where no matter what you do he won't lose his patience if he gets some affection in return. You tried escaping? Just give him a few kisses. You said something mean to him? Cuddle sessions... Still he's not dumb... If he sees that you've caught up to this habit of his Freddy will attempt to raise the level of affection you give him in return. If you try to use it against him, Freddy will actually get upset for once.

Q= Quality: Would they to be secretive or be flashy about what they do?

: ̗̀➛ If Freddy was dating you he'd be over the moon. Not exactly flash but he'd make sure EVERYBODY knew, whether by just outright saying it or holding your hand everywhere you went. If you're kidnapped he'll just play the extremly worried friend infront of the others, they won't understand how he feels so they don't need to know anything!

R= Regret: Would they ever feel guilty about abducting their s/o? Would they ever let their darling go?

: ̗̀➛ Of course he'll feel guilty! The two of you were suppose to fall in love gradually and be happy without all these complications on the plan. Like I said Freddy will try to gradually become close to you and get you to love him too so something... Must've happened along the way... No he's definitely not letting his darling go, he must protect you forever.

S= Stalker: Would they stalk their darling? How intense would it go?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy won't actively just get up and then search for you to stalk you... Maybe... Unless he feels like you're in danger... So he won't stalk you all the time- in fact that'll happen if he suddenly runs across you and has free time. Still he'd prefer going up to you and keeping you company while you work, he can protect you better if he's right next to you! Though he does place a Faz-Watch on you the minute you're friends- just for safety!

T= Tears: How do they feel about seeing their darling scream, cry, and/or isolate themselves?

: ̗̀➛ Absolutely despises it. He wants you to be happy! Even if you get it across him that he's the reason you're like this -which he'll be heartbroken over- Freddy won't leave you alone, he'll try his best to make you feel better if you cry or scream, the one thing he does not know what to do with would be the latter, maybe give you some time? And by that I mean both of you in the same room but in silence, with the occasional affirmative words that you'll be okay and that he'll protect you.

U= Unique: Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

: ̗̀➛ Maybe how Freddy wouldn't particularly like being violent? Or that he's able to realize what he's doing is wrong, he can actually be persuaded into some long therapeutic talks and methods to make sure he wouldn't kill or harm anyone but that would include you forever being by his side. Freddy locked onto his darling and would never let go, that's for certain.

V= Vice: What weakness can their darling exploit in order to escape?

: ̗̀➛ His extremly loving nature probably. Freddy is easily persuaded by affection from you, maybe if he's too excited and nervous the first time he kidnapped you, his mind a mess, but seeing how you're very affectionate and understanding of what he's trying to do will get Freddy's guards to lower immediatly. Maybe actually wait for an hour or two until he gives you the chance before trying to escape. Be mindful this is the only time this could effectively work, if time passes Freddy's lovesick rose filter will lower and he'll realize this is maybe a bit too soon to happen.

W= Wit’s end: Would they ever hurt their darling?

: ̗̀➛ No definitely not. He'll try not to. Like I mentioned unless it's that once in a blue moon moment Freddy won't ever try to lay an aggressive claw onto you.

X= Xoanon: How much would they revere or worship their darling? To what length would they go to win their s/o over?

: ̗̀➛ Freddy would go from heaven to hell to limbo then bring you the moon, sun, stars and entire galaxy in the way if he could. You deserve only the best of the best! Actually you deserve to have whatever you want -except for freedom is he decides to kidnap you- it's more so blind affection setting him up for a road of complete worship. Still it also leads to a blind belief that he needs to protect you and that he knows better when it comes to that.

Y= Yearn: How long do they pine after their darling before they snap?

: ̗̀➛ If you start off as good friends and stay like that, well, Freddy wouldn't exactly mind, he's close to you, can protect you... That is if you don't start a relationship with someone else. It won't be jealousy in particular but more so the sudden rush of panicked thoughts, this other person... You're not safe with them! They're probably unable to protect you and might even be really dangrous! So he'll kidnap you. If you find Freddy only as a stranger or even creepy you're gonna make him upset. He'll just start trying methods to make you like him and won't act on any abduction plans unless you're planning to leave the Pizzaplex permanently or move away. If you're dating? Maybe if there seems signs of you wanting to break up, he'll just panic and act on impulse.

Z= Zenith: Would they ever break their darling?

: ̗̀➛ He hates the idea of it. I'm sure you could last a maximum of 5-7 years of complete tantrums and escape plans methods with only a few scoldings from Freddy but that's about it. After that Freddy finally decides that's enough and tries to do something about it... And it would take a long time too, Freddy would find it hard to harm you in that way, he loves you too much! So it'll take a slow, painful 1 extra year of firstly, Freddy just being intimidating while thinking, actually talking to you about it, trying to break you, actually starts to and stopping in the middle of it because HE himself can't handle it, and tries to do it again a lot of times with breaks inbetween, each time he'll get closer and closer.

[flowercrown-bard]

I have a sentence for you...or a prompt. I don't know what I want you to do with it, but by god please do something:

"He doesn't have anxiety. He just has a god complex and no opposable thumbs!"

My darling nonny. First of all, what. Second of all, I love you and I love this prompt! I made the weirdest noise when I read it. I did not expect that second sentence XD

The thing is, I didn't know what I wanted to do with this prompt either...while being sober, so here's what my slightly tipsy brain came up with :D

word count: 2160

can be read platonic or romatic I think

content warnings: use of the name ‘Julian’ (not by Geralt), one very bad sexual innuendo (nothing sexual happens)

part 2

The spell hit Jaskier square in the chest, before Geralt had time to react and throw himself in front of him.

“Geralt?” Jaskier’s eyes went wide, though not in fear but in anticipation, as they snapped over to the witcher. “Geralt, what’s happening?”

Helplessly but not overly concerned, Geralt watched as Jaskier’s arms took on an unnatural position, bent at his sides. The bard’s head started to bob.

Geralt blinked at him and turned to the young sorcerer that looked curiously at Jaskier.

“Why aren’t you more worried?” The mage furrowed his brows. “Shouldn’t he be terrified?”

He turned to Geralt, who only shrugged.

“This happens regularly,” Geralt replied and his lips twitched up. “Last month, he’s been hit by a truth spell and the month before, he drank a potion that made him invisible to all but Roach.” His smile turned into a grin. “That was a very peaceful time.”

“Excuse me?” Jaskier squawked, his head still bobbing. “You missed me!”

“I didn’t. I could still hear you.” Geralt turned his attention back to the sorcerer who stared at them as if they were insane. “So, what exactly does this spell do?” Almost casually, Geralt’s hand wandered to the sword strapped to his back. “It better not be anything actually dangerous.”

Jaskier might have gotten cocky with how easily Geralt was able to break curses with all the experience he now had, but that didn’t mean Geralt wasn’t prepared to fight anyone who meant to cause Jaskier true harm. Even if Jaskier thought himself near invincible by now.

“No, no!” The mage held up his hands. “It’s not dangerous. I swear! It’s just supposed to…” he swallowed, his eyes darting between Jaskier and Geralt, clearly trying to figure out which one was more dangerous: The armed witcher or the bard who didn’t seem to be bothered in the least by being cursed but seemed rather giddy at the prospect of finding out what was going to happen next – after all, curses made for the most exciting songs, according to the bard. “It’s supposed to make his appearance match his character.”

Jaskier opened his mouth, probably to say something along the lines of ‘I already am as beautiful on the outside as I am on the inside’, but instead of words, a loud cock-a-doodle-doo left Jaskier’s lips. For a second, he looked terrified, before his expression morphed into one of fury and he let out a tirade of what was probably supposed to be insults.

Geralt exchanged a look with the mage, drawing up one eyebrow, when Jaskier continued to cluck.

“Ah, well, you see,” the mage turned bright red, “Marx was quite sure that he,” he glanced at Jaskier, who suddenly shrunk, his hair turning bright red and rising up and turning into a coxcomb, “was a coward and would turn into a chicken.”

Jaskier gave the mage one final indignant glare, probably cursing his rival’s name, before his mouth turned into a beak and his face was no longer that of a human, capable of expressing such emotions.

“Your employer was wrong,” Geralt deadpanned. “Jaskier is anything but a coward.” With the corners of his lips twitching and a glint in his eyes, he added, “But he definitely can be a cocky bastard.”

Jaskier, the cock, fluttered with his wings in indignation and let out another crow, looking up at Geralt. Though Jaskier could no longer speak or make facial expressions, Geralt knew exactly what the pleading look Jaskier sent him meant.

Geralt knew a hundred and one ways to break a curse. But more importantly, he knew Jaskier.

And so, Geralt knew exactly what Jaskier needed him to do.

--

It was ridiculously easy to break into Valdo Marx’ quarters at night, even while carrying a rooster that never stopped clucking and fluttering his wings excitedly in one arm. Jaskier could count himself lucky that he hadn’t turned into a peacock. It might have been more fitting, if Geralt had anything to say about it, but it would have definitely made scaling the building and squeezing through the window together, much harder.

Once inside the troubadour’s rooms, Geralt set Jaskier down gently.

“Do your worst,” he said with a grin and watched Jaskier ruffle his feathers in excitement, before he darted across the room, tearing at Valdo Marx’ notebooks with his beak, tearing at the decorative pillows on the armchair and plucking the strings of the lute standing against a wall harshly enough with his claws that they nearly snapped.

Geralt grimaced at the sound, but leaned back against a wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest, watching in amusement as his best friend wreaked as much havoc in his rival’s rooms as possible.

The noise must have roused Valdo Marx from his sleep, for a muffled curse came through the closed door, presumably leading to the troubadour’s bed room. The sound of Valdo Marx jumping out of his bed and hasting towards his now destroyed living room was interrupted by Jaskier, who crowed again and fluttered his wings in an attempt to make himself taller, preparing to make an impression when Valdo finally saw him.

The door was flung open and a dishevelled troubadour appeared, staring in horror at the mess that was his living space.

“What in the name of –“

His eyes fell on Jaskier first, then he saw the witcher still leaning against the wall, pointedly casual. Realisation dawned on Valdo’s face, followed briefly by a flash of triumph, that instantly turned into regret when Jaskier began hacking at the notebooks with more glee than before, preening under the horrified attention of his new audience.

“Witcher,” Valdo said breathlessly. “Put a stop to this, this instant!”

Geralt lifted a brow. “You got what you wanted, didn’t you?”

“Yes, yes, I proved Julian is a coward.” He waved his hands through the air, his voice turning shrill with every second that his panic grew. “I get to see him anxious and he’s reacting very poorly and I have to face the consequences. I get it. I shouldn’t have hired that mage. Is that what you want to hear?”

Geralt let out a low hum, drawing it out longer than necessary, simply because he knew how much Jaskier enjoyed witnessing Valdo’s growing despair.

“You’re right, you’re the one who has to face the consequences for cursing him.”

Relief flooded Valdo’s face. “Great. Now make him stop!”

Jaskier looked Valdo directly in the eyes as he fluttered onto the table and ruined the remaining notes the troubadour had carefully arranged in neat piles on his desk in the least dignified way a bird could ruin something. Though Jaskier’s voice was stolen from him, the mess he left on the notes couldn’t have been a more obvious statement: Valdo’s songs were shit.

The slighted troubadour’s face turned red with fury.

“How dare you!” Valdo took a step towards the destructive rooster but thought better of it almost immediately. He settled on pointing an accusatory finger at Jaskier instead of risking coming anywhere near him. “You’re a cad and a coward! I should have known how poorly you’d react to being cursed – becoming panicked and being unable to control yourself!”

Geralt tilted his head to the side. “See, that’s the thing,” he said slowly, his voice even enough that only Jaskier would be able to tell how much he enjoyed this as well, “That’s where you are wrong. Jaskier isn’t a coward. His fluttering around and destroying things right now? He’s not having anxiety. He just has a god complex and no opposable thumbs!" Geralt gave Valdo a shit-eating grin. “And he’s got a crow to pluck with you.”

“He-“ Valdo visibly had to restrain himself. “Help me, witcher. You can’t just let this monster destroy my property. He…he-!”

“You want me to get rid of a monster for you?”

Valdo nodded eagerly.

Geralt exchanged a look with Jaskier and shrugged.

“I don’t work for free.”

Valdo spluttered. “You can’t be serious.”

Geralt remained silent and Jaskier took a threatening step towards the open door to Valdo’s bedroom, obviously with the intent of destroying Valdo’s bed in any way he could think of. Panic flashed across Valdo’s face.

“I’ll pay you!” he shouted quickly. “I – I’ll write a sing about you. If you help me, I’ll sing about…” his eyes darted around the room, clearly struggling to come up with something on the spot. His gaze found Jaskier, before he grabbed Geralt’s arm, licking his lips nervously, or perhaps in an attempt to look seductive, “ – about how masterfully you handle cock.”

Jaskier froze and Geralt could see the moment when Valdo realised that he had said the wrong fucking thing.

If cocks could look murderous, Jaskier definitely did in this moment.

Geralt couldn’t tell if his rage came from the prospect of Valdo writing a song about this encounter and making a profit out of it, or if he was indignant because Jaskier had had the exact same idea for a song. Or perhaps he had a problem with Valdo’s barely concealed attempt at compromising Geralt, something Jaskier himself had taken great joy in doing with the worst possible pick-up lines, since the day they had met.

Whatever the reason for his anger, Jaskier took a deliberate pause, in which Valdo had enough time to regret every decision that had led up to this moment, before he charged at the troubadour, fluttering his wings and jumping up into Valdo’s face, clawing at his curls and tearing at his lacy night shirt.

“Witcher!” Valdo screeched, not unlike a rooster himself, and waved his arms to shoo Jaskier off – unsuccessfully. “Make him go away! Break the fucking curse! I – I’ll pay you! Twenty crowns!”

“Seventy,” Geralt deadpanned. No one in their right mind would pay that much coin, but Valdo Marx was evidently desperate and his decision was helped along by the rooster, who’s beak came dangerously close to tugging at the troubadour’s moustache.

“Fine! I’ll pay you seventy crowns.” Valdo’s voice broke in his blind panic. He would likely be unable to sing the next day, from all the shouting he did. “Just get him off of me!”

Geralt waited another heartbeat, granting Jaskier a last moment of rightful – and undoubtedly petty – vengeance, before pushing off the wall, opening his arms invitingly.

“Jaskier?”

Jaskier clucked in disappointment and pecked one last time at Valdo’s hair, before fluttering into Geralt’s arms.

The witcher left the troubadour’s rooms with his best friend, still in the form of a very smug cock in his arms, seventy crows richer and an experience he and Jaskier would laugh about many times over the next years.

--

As Geralt sat the rooster down on the bed at the room they had rented and let himself fall onto the bed next to him, Jaskier looked incredibly pleased with himself, preening and making noises, as if recounting the happenings, though Geralt had witnessed them first- hand.

When Geralt tilted his head in amusement, Jaskier seemed to realise that he still had no voice – or opposable thumbs - and let out a rather loud and obnoxious noise.

“Sorry,” Geralt said with a shit-eating grin, “I have no idea what you want from me. You’ll have to speak more clearly.”

Jaskier glared at him and fluttered closer to tug at Geralt’s hair impatiently.

Geralt chuckled and ran a hand over Jaskier’s soft feathers, making the bird-bard relax under his ministrations, though it was clear that Jaskier did so very reluctantly and would hold a grudge, if Geralt didn’t break the curse in the next five minutes.

Geralt hummed thoughtfully as he petted Jaskier.

“Just for the record, I thought taking revenge on Marx was a terrible idea,” he said, and when Jaskier clucked reproachfully, he added, “but it was quite impressive. And I had a lot of fun watching you.”

Geralt hadn’t known that cocks had the ability to look proud, but Jaskier somehow managed to do just that.

“In fact,” Geralt said slowly, already knowing that Jaskier would agree, once he heard Geralt’s full proposition, “how would you like to wait just a little longer before I break the curse?”

Jaskier pecked at Geralt’s fingers and glared at him.

“Come to Kaer Morhen with me,” Geralt said, flicking his fingers lightly against Jaskier’s beak. At his words, Jaskier perked up, cocking his head to the side curiously.

“Last winter, Lambert destroyed my room with a moon dust bomb. The damn silver shavings are still everywhere.” Geralt’s lips stretched into a wolfish grin. “I’m sure, as my ‘best friend in the whole wide world’, you wouldn’t mind returning the favour and wreaking a little havoc in my brother’s room. I couldn’t imagine anyone would be better suited for that job than you.”

Jaskier fluttered excitedly into Geralt’s lap and the sound he made in response to Geralt’s words could only be described as incredibly cocky.

[lisinfleur]

Foreign Treasure

The request:

Author’s Notes | I'm passing by some of my pieces, making them better or reposting them on Wattpad. And I thought this one could be rewritten into something better than before. I hope you guys like the final result!

Universe | Vikings

Pairing | Hvitserk x Reader

Info | Viking Age AU, Christian Nun! Reader, requested by multiple anons for 5CW5 | 2ed - rewritten for corrections. 1st ed here.

Words | 5569 (I think I got carried away? XD)

⁑ Warnings: NSFW. SMUT included. Explicit content. Dub!Con and mentions of religious conflict. Caution is recommended: The following content might be triggering!

You never wanted to be a nun. This fate just swallowed you whole when you were betrayed by the first man you ever loved. You gave yourself to him believing his promises of undying love; he took your chastity and left never to be seen again, abandoning you in regret.

You were left with your sin, your broken heart, and your family shamed by your blind decisions.

Your father wanted to leave you on your own, but your mother begged him to take you to the convent. And there you were forgotten by your family, left to serve and beg God's forgiveness until the end of your days.

You've never really felt called to serve God's will, but felt as if God - wherever he was (or IF he really was!) - was being merciful, giving you a life that wasn't that hard despite your sins.

But, somehow, you felt He was keeping you for something.

Some reason you couldn't find out until those barbarians reached your place of confinement.

First, news of York's downfall reached your ears. The Norse took over the city, and you thought of your kind. Members of your family that were said to live there. What would their fate have been?

But your mind wouldn't have to figure it out for itself: the Northmen came to you in a red carriage drawn by an imposing white horse. Many others behind the wooden wheels of that cart. But the two men upon it appeared to be the party leaders.

Your curiosity ended up being your doom. The other nuns were all terrified, but you approached the window, watching as the strong man dressed in black sat down on the carriage seat.

The other - honey hair and devilish expression - jumped off the chariot, coming near the doors.

Seeing you with greedy green eyes.

Something was shouted at the men behind him, and soon they began pounding on the gates until they were opened.

The place was invaded, and they swarmed into it like ants through the kitchen, but your heart sank in your chest: the honey-haired barbarian... He was looking right at you.

You knew he was coming after you. But he was a leader.

It could be a chance.

You walked to the door, but Mother Superior held your hand, trying to stop you from moving forward with your intention.

"Those are the demons from hell, my child!" she said, trying to keep you safe. "They'll tear you apart if you go there!"

You held her hand with gentleness in your eyes.

"My father once fought beside Ragnar Lothbrok and his men. I know how to speak their language. I can speak with them."

She tried to stop you from leaving, but you left her inside the room, locking the door and keeping the key with you, waiting for the Norsemen at the entrance to the church hall.

Since you were waiting, the honey-haired man came first.

The men behind him like a pack of thirsty wolves, picking out every golden thing their eyes could lay on.

He approached, towering upon you, taller than you could measure from the window. He was scarier than you thought, his eyes looked darker now that he was closer. If you could say that Mother Superior was right and those men really were the demons of Hell, then there was the sin of Greed itself before you.

But your heart didn't fail in its courage. You knew there was a reason for you to be there. And, maybe, this reason was that moment.

Those women were all virgins. Pure women dedicated to their God.

You weren't like them.

You were neither chaste nor pure. But you had the necessary to at least try to save them from those men.

When he approached, you bent over, muttering in his language.

"Mercy..." you said. "I beg you to listen to me first," you asked.

Surprised to see a Christian woman who could speak in a way he could understand, the man raised his hand, stopping the others behind him.

"Who are you? And how do you speak my language, woman?" he asked, with a stronger accent in his heavy voice.

“I’m Y/N, daughter of lord Y/F/N, who once fought beside King Ragnar Lothbrok and his men for the kingdom of Mercia,” you said, looking at him, “Under King Ecbert, in the name of late queen Kwenthrith.”

All those familiar names widened that man's eyes, taking him completely off his guard. His entire body language shifted from battle tone to serenity and surprise.

"I'm Hvitserk. Ragnar Lothbrok was my father," he said, sending shivers down your spine.

He was a prince. A Northman, but still a prince. You lowered your head a little more, submissive.

"I came to these lands to avenge my father's death. I intend to conquer the lands that King Ecbert promised him with broken words and unfulfilled promises!" he grunted angrily before looking around and then looking at you again. "What does a lord's daughter do in a place like this? What is this place anyway?"

His eyes were darting around. It was a Christian place, he was sure, but he wasn't so sure about its use.

"This place is a convent, my lord," you replied, keeping your voice low. "In this place, women are kept to serve our Lord and Sire, Jesus Christ. There isn't a single woman in this place who doesn't live to serve our God. That's why I implore you, Your Highness: take everything you want, it's all yours, but please spare these women."

You caught his eye but kept speaking on behalf of your sisters.

"We are few and harmless, my lord. I know your people keep us in thrall, but I beg you, in the name of all that is sacred to your heart, release these innocents from this burden. I beg your mercy, Prince Hvitserk."

Hvitserk twitched his lips and you knew he was dissatisfied.

He saw the women behind you at the window. He knew there were women under those strange dresses and he knew they were usually virgins when dressed that way.

You weren't asking him something small. But it wasn't that big either.

“How many of you are in this place?” he asked.

“We’re twenty at the moment, my lord. Seven of us, underage. Novices brought recently by their families,” you replied, keeping your head down. “Eight old women that served their entire life, and came to rest their last days in prayer. Five workers like me.”

Hvitserk's lips twitched further, showing clear annoyance.

"Don't lie to me, woman!" he growled, intimidating. "If what you say is true, then how do you keep this place functional with nothing but five women to care for all the chores?"

You lifted your head slightly to look into his eyes, showing that there was no lie in his words.

"The five best workers take care of the bigger tasks. The others will work in pairs. Always a newcomer and an elder, so the elders can teach and the newcomers can learn."

A perfectly possible scenario for him. Hvitserk sighed in frustration.

After all, you weren't lying. And just five women wouldn't be enough for his men. They would end up killing the elders and injuring underage slaves. It would not please the gods or them, for the women of those places had not enough experience to deal with so many thirsty men, and the slaughter of innocents was not a good thing in the eyes of their gods.

However, Hvitserk didn't come to leave with empty hands. Those places were full of gold and it would be enough for the men. But he was hungry for more...

The last days in that church with Ivar leading the way weren't his best. He was tired, irritated, annoyed, and bored. A new bed slave would come in handy. One that could speak his language would surely last for some good and interesting days of entertainment.

"We'll set camp here for the night and leave in the morning. You tell the women not to leave their room, and they won’t be touched."

A good statement. You felt your heart filled with relief. But before you could thank God for His mercy, the price came, high as the pacts your sisters feared so much.

"You come with us. You know my language, and your appearance please my eyes. You come. The others will be left alone."

There it was. The reason why you felt you were in that place for so long.

It would be your life, for theirs.

Their God had saved them...

You looked at him, meekly accepting your fate.

"I accept your terms, Prince Hvitserk. I have a key to their room. Please let me talk to them and bring them some water and food for the night. Tomorrow morning, allow me to leave the key so they can leave the room after our departure. I'll go with you without resistance."

"Fine," he agreed, dismissing the men so they could scatter and search for more gold.

Still, he followed you down the hall, waiting beside you while you unlocked the door to talk to the women inside. His curious eyes peered inside the door as it opened, seeking proof of your words, finding nothing but the truth: The elders were huddled in the corner of the room, hugging some crying little girls.

With them, four women of your age were trying to help the children stop crying, dividing a single amphora of water between them all.

One of the old ladies approached, dressed in a different cloak, a darker one, with one of those funny hats on her head.

Her eyes were wide on him like he was a ghost or something, and her trembling hands tried to reach for yours.

"My child," the old woman mumbled.

And you smiled lightly at her, holding both of her hands.

"I made a deal," you quickly explained, avoiding irritating Hvitserk. “They will not touch the women of this place. Their leader is the son of Ragnar Lothbrok, and he intends to honor his father's name. His men will spend the night here. I will feed them and supply them with wine and water. When the morning comes, they will leave, and I will bring the key to free you from this room. Keep the others calm, and please don't try to leave. Pray tonight, mother. Thank God for our lives, for His mercy found a place even in the hearts of the heathen."

“Oh, blessed be your words, my child. But what about you? Will you be safe?" she asked, and you smiled softly.

"I'm not important, Mother," you said, tenderly stroking her hand.

Seeing in her teary eyes, she understood your sacrifice.

"You know I'm not one of you. I was never one of you. I'm touched by sin, and our Lord allowed me to serve him by protecting his sheep. Don't worry about me: I speak their language, and my father fought alongside his father,” you looked to Hvitserk as a way of indicating him. "I won't be mistreated. I'll cook for them and bring you some of the food tonight. Be calm and safe, Mother."

She nodded her shaking head. A placid tone of resignation in her voice.

"I will pray for your soul, my child," she said, looking at Hvitserk. "And for yours too, boy," she completed, stepping in before you could lock the door, keeping the key safe in your necklace.

"What did she say to me? She was talking to me. What did she say?" Hvitserk asked, afraid the Christian woman might have hurled at him any kind of curse of her god or some shit like that.

But you smiled.

"She said she will pray for you. For us," you said calmly.

Your tone was calming him down. Your smile was a signal to him that nothing was wrong.

"I will show you the treasures of this place and prepare food for your men. I only beg you to leave enough supplies so that the sisters do not die in the winter. There are enough blankets for your men and for the women. Please, I implore you to avoid being greedy. Their lives depend on your benevolence, my lord."

You were sweet and kind and not afraid of him. Hvitserk wasn't used to kindness coming from women like you. In fact, none of them ever stopped screaming in his presence but you were calm, even though your hands shook as you showed him the places where your people kept the golden treasures offered to your God.

You knew God wouldn't be angry with you for giving His wine, food, gold, and silver to those men. You saved those women's souls from sin and their lives from the blades of the Northmen. These were much more valuable things, and you knew it.

Hvitserk watched as you moved, preparing everything to feed his brother and the entire army they brought. Your words about that place becoming more trustworthy as he observed that you were actually able to quickly prepare a large meal.

It was amazing to him to see as you kept more than one pan on the fire, cooking the broth, treating the meat, making bread, all at the same time. To him, you were dancing around the kitchen in your weird gray dress.

Hvitserk found himself thinking... A colorful dress and you would look beautiful walking around moving colors with you.

Within hours, there was plenty of fresh, fragrant food.

Hvitserk accompanied you as you took a small cart for the nuns with portions of food and water. Just enough for them, he noted. You weren't trying to save anything more than what they needed, and it made him think maybe he should leave them with more to reward your humble ways.

You then served his table with a larger portion of the food and some fresh, undivided loaves for him and his brother. And he watched from his chair as you served his men alone, using the ceramic bowls the nuns used to serve the homeless and the poor around Christmas Eve.

One by one, Hvitserk watched you serve his men with a thick broth, a piece of bread, and a good chunk of meat. Strong meals, he thought. You weren't denying them your best hospitality, even though they were squatters in your home.

"Will you take her?" you could hear his brother asking. "You keep looking at her, Hvitserk."

"Yes, I will, Ivar. Is there a problem with my desire to take a personal slave?"

Hvitserk's tone was harsh, heightened by the natural heavy tone of his language. Something seemed to be wrong between the brothers, but you kept your silence. The one he called Ivar chuckled, raising his hand in a careless gesture.

"There's nothing wrong, brother. Keep her. She's just a slave anyway. If she can get that elephant trunk off your face, I'll be satisfied."

Hvitserk rolled his eyes, annoyed, focusing his attention on the flavors of your food. It was well seasoned, strong as he thought it would be. Good food, a beautiful, skillful slave. He was sure the gods had kept her treasured for him after all.

At the end of meals, Hvitserk watched as you carried all the dirty bowls and spoons to the cart, taking them to the kitchen. Alone, you started filling some buckets with water, using it to clean the pots.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm cleaning up and organizing everything so I can serve your breakfast tomorrow," you said.

His brows furrowed as he watched your hands cleaning each bowl, drying each spoon until everything around was untouched again.

There was no longer any doubt in his eyes: it was perfectly possible to see that the whole place was working with such a small number of janitors. If they were all as useful as you, then pity him for turning away so many good slaves.

But he was a man of his word. And he would honor the agreement as you were honoring your part in it, spreading warm blankets among his men, ensuring they would have a comfortable night in the church's biggest hall.

Small but comfortable accommodations, which would be used only when the convent had guests from the upper classes of the Church or when some royal woman was there for a period of education.

Although Ivar retired to sleep, Hvitserk continued to follow you, curious that you had accommodated his brother and prepared his room for him, but gave no sign that you were going to sleep either.

Instead, you went back to the kitchen, stirring the flour, making butter, seasoning, and making bread covered in slightly damp clothes. You left several amphorae full of water and boiled the milk. Then, you fractionated cheese and ground some grains he recognized as oatmeal, certainly for a porridge you intended to serve the next morning.

In fact, you were skilled. And he was already fascinated.

"Do you do this all the time? Are you the cook here?" he asked.

"Not exactly," you replied, wiping your hands after preparing everything. "I cook and sew, or clean, or take care of the land. Sometimes I carve or paint. I do whatever is necessary around the convent to keep it going, my prince,"you said, putting the cloth to dry.

And once again, he noticed that the kitchen looked untouched once more. You were good. Definitely.

"Do you know how to braid your hair?" he asked when you approached.

"Yes, my prince," you replied.

You had the skills of your time among your sisters.

"Then come with me. This place feels warm and cozy. I've been feeling dirty for a while. I'm going to shower, and you're going to help me. Then you can redo my braids after I wash my hair."

You shuddered at the thought of seeing a man's nudity one more time. Still, you obeyed.

"Yes, my prince."

You took two large buckets with water and carried them, guiding Hvitserk to the bathing room. You filled the cauldron over the fire with the buckets and started filling the basin, preparing it to receive the hot water. You poured the boiling inside of it carefully, checking the temperature with your hand to ensure he wouldn't burn himself.

When you turned to tell him the bath was ready, your eyes widened. The bowl you prepared for his bath fell from your hands, crashing to the floor as your eyes took in his total nudity.

"What happened, woman?" he asked, startled by the sound of broken pottery, nearly waking you out of the trance to lower yourself to the ground, trying to concentrate on picking up the shards. "What the heck was that?"

"I'm sorry, Prince Hvitserk, I'll clean this up in a sec!" you apologized.

But instead of going mad, Hvitserk laughed.

"You Christian women are all the same. Looks like you've never seen a dick before," he joked, stepping into the tub as you finished picking up the pieces of the bowl.

"None this size," her mouth spoke before her mind.

Were you nervous...

Vocalization was always a problem when you were feeling like that. It only made you more embarrassed.

Hvitserk's expression was surprised - a nun who had ever seen a cock? This was something new for him.

"Bigger or smaller?" he asked casually.

His body slowly dipped into the hot water as he sighed in pleasure at the perfect temperature. It had been a long time since his last moment of peace. The bath you prepared was almost a balm for his tired muscles.

"I…" you choked on your words, trying to avoid his eyes so fixed on you. "I'll replace the bowl... And get some clean clothes for your bath," you tried.

Miserable failure.

“I asked you a question. Answer me,” he demanded.

You lowered your head, losing any hope of escaping that conversation.

"Smaller. And thinner. We were a young couple, and he wasn't that much older than me. Can I go now?" you said.

His eyes were on the ground, ashamed to speak so openly about his sin.

Hvitserk was now curious. So not all those nuns were inexperienced virgins after all?

He sat in the tub, not looking the least bit interested in letting you go.

“So, have you ever had a man? I thought the nuns were all virgins,” he asked, curious.

"They are. I'm an exception. Please can I go? The water will run cold…".

You were right.

He sensed your embarrassment, and that bath was too perfect to miss the pleasure of that temperature for your answers right now. He allowed you to leave, but as soon as you returned with the cloths you promised to bring, the first problem appeared.

"You can start behind my back," he said.

Not even making a move to remove the cloth from your hand.

YOU would wash him, of course. After all, you were the slave, weren't you?

Your face turned red as he sat closer to the center of the tub, leaving his bare tattooed back exposed for you to rub. Even so, you tried to control your shyness while dipping the cloth in a bucket of warm, herbal water you brought, starting to clean his back of the mud and blood that was all over his skin.

Unashamedly, Hvitserk kept the conversation going as if you weren't burning red behind him.

“So, you've had a man before. Did he die or something?"

You sighed. It would definitely not be possible to get rid of his curiosity for this part of your life.

"He had what he wanted and left. My family left me here to serve God and ask forgiveness for my sins." You kept rubbing his skin, trying to give him as short answers as you could.

But they weren't enough to satiate his curiosity.

"It still doesn't make sense to me. You had sex, the idiot is gone. What the hell is wrong with that, except for his idiocy?" he asked.

"What I've done is sin. It's against our Lord's rules," you explained, trying to be patient.

But Hvitserk laughed, looking at you over his shoulder.

"Your God is complicated. It seems like everything that gives pleasure is a sin to him. I don't like your God. His rules are boring. Now stop trying to stretch yourself, woman... Get in the bathtub! It'll be easier if you're closer."

Your face burst red once more, but that didn't seem to bother the prince.

“You look beautiful when you turn red like that. Don't worry, you'll get used to these sins very quickly by my side. Now come in.”

There was no choice, but you felt you could at least avoid getting naked in front of him. So you knotted your skirt as high as you could before trying to get into the tub without touching Hvitserk's body.

However, instead of being quiet, he moved his legs, causing you to fall into the water, and held your waist, guiding you to his lap.

"Oh, dear Lord!" you yelled.

Your habit was now completely wet, and you were almost straddling his lap. How many were your chances of getting out of hell after sitting on the lap of a Norseman still wearing the nun habit?

Probably none! But Hvitserk wasn't really worried about it, chuckling at your flaming red cheeks.

"See? Nobody died. Now take off these clothes. You're not a nun anymore. You're my slave, and if I like you, then you can become something more. Just take this gray thing off and come wash me properly, woman!” he nudged.

Hvitserk was quite different from the last man you met. He wasn't even trying to disguise his intentions, but he wasn't making false promises either. It was a good thing, right?

You went to the side of the bathtub, taking off your hat and veil, sighing at the thought of exposing yourself once more.

"Take it off..." Hvitserk demanded. "You're too beautiful for this lack of color," he complained.

If only he'd seen you in one of your dresses from your previous life as a lady in your father's house... Your mind has tricked you with the memories of the life you long ago abandoned. What would your mother think if she knew you ended up like this?

Your father would surely bark that your sins were not forgiven. Nonsense!

You served well. But a servant cannot serve two masters, and now...

Now you had a new master.

Taking off the habit brought back memories of that night. Memories of the fabric of your dress slipping off your shoulders and your ex-lover's voice in the same words that came out of Hvitserk's mouth when you finished undressing in front of him.

"You are so pretty..."

"Please, don't say that," you begged, hugging yourself.

"I'm just telling the truth," Hvitserk replied, but you lowered your head, anguished.

Your hands covering your shame as much as you could.

"He told me the same. And he used me for his pleasure. I should be married, I should have my own children by now, but he'd ruined me. And you're about to do the same," you muttered, feeling the tears form in your eyes.

Hvitserk pulled you closer, and you knelt beside his legs, head down.

"I won't ruin anything," he said, lifting your face with his fingers, almost gently. "There's no such thing where I come from. You said you'd come with me. So forget everything you've learned from your world or your God. I'll show you all over again. And you'll see, sweet one, why pleasure just can't be wrong."

The prince tilted his face forward, capturing your lips in a slow kiss. Gently, he explored your mouth, lowering your defenses, sending shivers down your spine.

Your last mate didn't kiss you like that. He barely touched your lips. Hvitserk was exploring your entire mouth, his tongue dancing with yours, taking your breath away.

Arousing your body even when you couldn't remember ever feeling that way.

Slowly, his hands guided you to straddle his lap properly.

"Hvitserk", you tried to get his attention.

You knew what he was about to do. But he didn't stop.

His voice sounded in low vibrations against your lips as his hands held you closer and closer.

"Relax. You're mine... My rules, darling. You're not doing anything wrong. Just feel it."

You closed your eyes. A part of you didn't want to see what was coming. The last time you felt this, it was painful. It wasn't worth the price.

But this time, the surprise made your eyes widen as a wave of pleasure you've never felt before invaded your body from its folds. You looked down to see Hvitserk's thick fingers between your legs, rubbing, gliding in a way no one had ever touched you, forcing you to bite your lip to avoid asking for God's mercy at such a sinful moment.

But your voice still dragged out of your throat in a muffled moan that made a smile on Hvitserk's lips.

"Like this, love... Just relax. I'll show you more..."

His lips touched the skin of your neck in open-mouthed kisses, sending shivers through your body, creating an unknown pressure in your lower belly. It grew as he continued until it exploded, traveling through your entire body like a wave that engulfed you completely.

You squeaked, trying to swallow your voice, to keep those heretical moans from coming out of your mouth, filling the room, spreading through the corridors of that hallowed place. But it was so hard with Hvitserk's lips latched on your nipples, sucking such sensitive parts of your body, hardened by arousal as you've never felt before!

Your mind was overwhelmed by his caresses. But Hvitserk's devilish lips didn't stop, sucking and kissing every part of your body they could reach, distracting your senses as his hands guided your hips to your doom.

When you least expected it, Hvitserk's cock made itself present in your walls, stretching you around him, filling you completely.

You squeaked again, but this time, Hvitserk just held your waist, pulling you down onto his cock until your entire channel was full of his length. Hissing against your lips, he kissed you gently between the words that came after the thin pain his movements had caused between your legs.

"Shh..." he muttered. “The pain will pass soon, dove. You're so tight! I can feel you haven't had a man in a while - if you've really had one. I'll be patient, sweet Y/N. I want your moans for me tonight."

Hvitserk kept his thumb rubbing your clit while his other hand pressed your waist for support. His mouth kissing yours, sometimes gently biting your lower lip.

Your mind was flooded and disorganized. A part of you thinking how wrong it was to have sex in a bathtub in the middle of a convent with a Norwegian you had just met. Another was wondering how this could be wrong when he seemed made to fit you like that.

At some point, Hvitserk began to move his hips. Again, your mind went blank as the pleasure invaded your body in waves timed by his movements.

Hvitserk growled when he came out of your tight channel, spreading more waves of heat through your disoriented senses whenever he entered again, bumping his hips against yours with wet noises you could barely hear.

"Shit, so good," he cursed. "Gods, I was missing a tight girl like you around me. Move your sweet hips for me, love," he asked.

His hands guided your hips, moving them against him so that your body danced to the rhythm his body was proposing.

It was so much pleasure numbing your mind! You didn't notice when you lost control and your body started blindly following his commands, moving by itself on top of him, seeking more. Your hips rocked against his, rubbing against his skin.

You tried to catch your breath. You wanted to tell him it wasn't right. You wanted to say he should stop. But releasing your lower lip from your bite only served to moan his name, revealing how overpowered you were at that moment.

"Like this, kitten," he muttered, heretic. "Such a good girl..."

A few more moves and Hvitserk pushed in deeper, allowing you to feel his body thicker in you, throbbing against your walls.

"What is happening?" you asked, surprised by the unfamiliar feeling. "You're throbbing..."

"You're going to make me come," he panted, moving hard against your body."You're so good! I can't hold back. I'm going to seed you here, then I'm going to take you to my bed. I want you moaning under my body all night like this. Shit! I can't take it anymore, love... I'm gonna cum!"

Hvitserk's curses were so natural. In his mouth, he was fucking you, seeding your pussy when you were supposed to stay clean, pure. The proof that you didn't belong there was your moans, as natural as his words, coming out of your mouth when the feel of his hot seed coating your insides was enough to make you come once more.

It was like you were meant to warm him up like that...

“I'm dirty…I've sinned again,” you mourned, lost in your vague and confused thoughts.

But Hvitserk lifted your chin, kissing your lips, sucking on your bottom lip in that way with which he could literally numb your mind completely.

“You did. And you will do it again. You will sin with me, love. Again, and again, and again. Until my scent spreads all over your skin, and my seed is dripping from your beautiful pussy. Then, it won't be a sin anymore because everything about this God of yours will be gone. I'm going to fuck your brains out tonight, love. And when dawn comes, you won't remember anything except the fact that you're mine."

Once again, Hvitserk moved in your wet walls. Even surrounded by water, your body burned with desire. You were doomed! You could already feel the heat of the flames of hell claiming your body on Hvitserk's fingertips, on his lips, on his cock.

He literally fucked you into oblivion that night. And you moaned disconnected things until his name was all you could whisper in his ears.

When dawn came, he braided your hair in his own way and had your habit torn off, disfigured in a gray dress that he covered with his own cloak, almost marking you as his woman.

After serving their breakfast, you slipped the key under the bedroom door for the women to pick up when they were awake.

With the first rays of the sun, the Norse left the convent as promised. Leaving the women you saved behind - untouched.

You went out with them, true to your word. Astride Hvitserk's horse, with his body behind yours and his hands guiding the way, you have not looked back.

You fulfilled God's plans for you and somehow got the feeling that your mission in that place was complete.

The nuns were safe. The Northmen were leaving.

The price of innocent souls has been paid, and now it was time for you to know what plans the Norse gods had for your fate...

Tagged ones:

|| @bluearchersstuff || @ivarswickedqueen || @akamaiden || @bang-kim-bap || @cris101071 || @elysias-temple || @alicedopey || @queen-see-ya-in-valhalla || @lol-haha-joke || @readsalot73 || @rekdreams247 || @naaladareia || @laketaj24 || @therealcalicali || @grungyblonde || @arses21434 || @honestsycrets || @2thequietone4 || @blackspiritshake || @vikingsbifrost || @x-valhalla || @cyarikashakira || @chinduda || @isthat-tyra98 || @xinyourdreamsx || @thiahilmarsdottir || @queenbeeta || @winchesterwife27 || @gold-dragon-slayer || @mzliterarydreamer || @marvelouuse || @lif3snotouttogetyou || @lordsexmachine || @deathbyarabbit || @ietss || @tgrrose || @alexisshoto || @letsloveimagines || @thorins-queen-of-erebor || @astrape-the-weatherwitch || @destynelseclipsa || @charming-merlin || @violetidk || @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie || @ghvsts || @littlemoonchildbear ||

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[secretlyblue12]

Day 2: Truth or dare

Bench trio my beloved XD And so day two begins! This one is actually going to come back in a different day to be finished,,, but you’ll have to see which prompt it’s for. hehehe Again, the only warnings I can think of are teasing and this one in my mind is irl. 

“Truth or dare”

Tubbo debated the question for a moment. He was playing with Tommy and Ranboo, so no matter which he chose there was bound to be trouble, he was just doing damage control at this point. “Um,” He wondered out loud, the two boys beaming at him while they waited for his answer. 

He tried to think about it logically, Tommy had been the one to ask and so far he’d given out the worst dares, plus he was already looking for revenge from where Tubbo made him drink a little bit of every drink they had all put into one glass. It hadn’t been pretty, but he and Ranboo thought it was funny. So not dare then, “I’ll choose truth.”

Tommy deflated a little at that, though Ranboo still waited excitedly to see how things would turn out. “Alright,” the youngest of the trio whined, “I want you to tell me your biggest weakness then.”

“What, like a fatal flaw or some shit?” That wasn’t that bad, Tubbo thought. He could just say something along the lines of impulse buying or overthinking and be on with it. Would that count as ego, or be different. People always said they were vain, but what all did that mean?

Tommy shifted to sit up properly, hands flying while he talked. “No! Like, like your biggest weakness man. How can I take you down in a fight, because I can guarantee we are going to fight before this night is over Big Man. I want to know what strats to use.” 

Tubbo quirked an eyebrow at the declaration, and off to the side, Ranboo snorted into his hand. “I am pretty sure I could take you in a fight, Tommy.” He said though Tommy wasn’t looking at him anymore. Instead, he was squinting at Ranboo with a decidedly suspicious look. 

“What, have you got something you want to say then Boo Boy?”

Ranboo shook his head, smiling against himself. “No, I was just thinking about a, um, a tactic to take Tubbo down.”

That right there was when Tubbo should have known things weren’t going to go his way, but he didn’t make the connection to what exactly Ranboo was thinking of yet. Tommy rounded on him, holding him by the shoulders as he interrogated him. “How? You have to let me know, Ranboo. Have you seen him? He’s jacked, but I have to fight him, it’s the only way. Did you see the Buffbo pictures on Twitter, I don’t stand a chance. Please, please, please, tell me! I don’t want to have my ass beat Ranboo, I’m too pretty and funny for that.”

Ranboo laughed along with his ramblings, but in the end, agreed to lean down and share his secrets. If Tubbo didn’t think things were about to take a turn before then, seeing how Tommy’s smile lit up and his eyes went wide would have clued him in. 

“Oh ho ho, Tubso, is that true?” Tommy asked in his ‘All-knowing big man’ voice. 

Tubbo knew he was probably screwed, and started to inch away from the duo, but he didn’t know what exactly they were planning. “Is what true?”

“It’s okay, actually. I want to test it out myself.”

Tubbo tried to stand up, but Tommy collided with him before he could even make it off the couch. Immediately Tommy’s hand found his side and started squeezing. 

Tubbo kicked out and shoved at Tommy, but couldn’t manage to force him away. Ranboo was a traitor he decided! “No! Tohommy! I whihill kihill you.”

“Ohho! You were right Ranboo, this is perfect.” Tommy cooed, “Is Tubbo a little bit ticklish then? I am so going to take advantage of this information.”

Tubbo grabbed at Tommy’s wrist and shook his head. “Youhu’re twice as bahad.” he called out. He’d seen Wilbur absolutely destroy Tommy on more than one occasion, it was pretty funny if he said so himself. 

Tommy’s cheeks tinted pink and Ranboo laughed at him in the background. “Oi! Shut it, no I’m not. I just need to find your spots first.”

Tommy shifted around with a renewed interest, moving on to squeeze at Tubbo’s hip, and smiling evilly when the older teen kicked out. “Hey, don’t kick me Bitch! Does that mean this is a bad spot? Ranboo, Ran-boo, tell me what his worst spots are.”

Tubbo whipped his head around to glare at Ranboo, though it didn’t look quite as deadly as he wanted with his bubbly laughter. “Naha, he-he’s nehext,” he threatened. If Ranboo thought he could spill Tubbo’s secrets without getting it back at him then he was mistaken. It seemed to have landed because Ranboo visibly weighed his options.

“He’s probably going to get it next no matter what, now tell me, or else I won’t go easy when it’s your turn.”

Ranboo curled in on himself a little already, but it wasn’t much of a decision anymore. “That’s- okay. I won’t tell his worst-worst spot, but you should try going a little lighter at first, it makes him melt and relax more, then come in with harder ones later.”

“Trahatoir! TOhohmy No!”

And suddenly Tommy’s fingers were fluttering around his waist and Tubbo was lost in a sea of giggles. His eyes squinted with how much he was smiling, which only made it worse because he couldn’t see what was happening. “Tohohmmehey!” He squealed, still trying to kick at the boy and push him away. “Rahanboho why!”

“Oh that’s good,” Tommy says, looking over to Ranboo as if he didn’t have Tubbo starting to fall apart under his fingers. “I can already tell this works a lot better. Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what the best spot is? It might make things better for you when it’s your turn.”

Ranboo wrapped his arms around himself and shook his head, “I’m already going to get it bad from Tubbo, I don’t want to make it any worse.” he said with a tiny laugh.  

Tommy grunted, clearly not pleased with Ranboo’s self-preservation. “Okay then, your funeral. I’ll just have to find it on my own then unless you want to let me know Tubbo?”

Tubbo shook his head, like hell he was doing that. “I’m nohot going to hehelp yohou!” 

“Fine! How about here then?” Tommy huffed in half-hearted frustration, it was obvious he was still having fun with this. “What’s your Tub-belly like?” He slowly moved his hands closer and closer to Tubbo’s stomach, watching how he grew more and more giggly and squirmy the closer he got. 

Tubbo couldn’t form words even if he wanted to, they came out much more like babbles than anything else. His hands found Tommy’s wrists and clung loosely. “Awee, look at him Ranboo! Isn’t he so cute, this must be a good spot then. Tub’s got a ticklish tummy? You’re so giggly and shit, how did I not know about this before?”

His cheeks flushed bright pink at the comments, they really weren’t necessary, he thought. Tommy seemed content to just stay there though and piled on the taunts. If there was one thing he had learned from Wilbur, it was that sometimes words are more efficient than anything else.

By the time Tubbo had completely melted into the couch cushions Tommy was exploring again, though his attack seemed to be tapering off. He gave a quick flutter up at Tubbo’s neck, not bothering to try to hold his head in one place. He could just flutter his fingers under his chin or on one side of his neck to get him to move how he wanted him to. He didn’t fully stop until after he had hit a spot behind Tubbo’s ears that made him start shaking his head again trying to get away, a shift from the lazy head turns and scrunches.

“Okay, okay. That’s enough for now. Count yourself as lucky that we still have to get Ranboo tonight too so I can’t have you too tired. Hey Ran- Ranboo?”

Tubbo peeked through tired eyes and looked over to where the other boy had been perched on the couch the entire night only to find him missing. 

“Ranboo? Oh, that bitch! Come on Tubbo, get up, up, up! He’s escaped. Oh ho ho, he’s so in for it now. Oh Ran-boo, we’re coming for you!”

[probably-haven]

Hello!! After seeing what you wrote about xiaoven fics I went to see what things you usually write and omg, your archon Venti headcanons????? I am absolutely in love. So if it isn't annoying, could you talk about xiaoven or Venti or Xiao or whatever ship or character you like? I don't care what you are going to say, I just want to know more about your thoughts ^^

I- is this... bestie, this is essentially a free ramble pass- kerujsgheskdfug. Trust me when I say that in no way is this, and in no way will it ever be annoying in the slightest- i literally- lets just say rambling off thoughts is kind of my specialty, especially when provided a topic to branch off of because otherwise I'm just- really indecisive about it so- iujskdh yeah- 100% definitely down to talk about Venti, Xiao, and/or Xiaoven XD. Also, yes- it may have been awhile since i last posted one(cuz again, indecisive about which direction to take part 5), but the Archon War Era Venti headcanons are still without a doubt my favorite posts I've made. It's just such an interesting topic with such endless potential that so few people actually think about or consider or even realize is there, so i always just get really psyched whenever i see someone interact with them lol.

.... this ended up being a bit of a mess: warning in advance

Anyway! onto the actual content!

- You see the thing about Xiaoven is that there's a lot of different ways that it could end up working out, and just personally my favorite way of portraying Xiaoven in my mind is as an unlabeled relationship because if anyone in genshin would give off that vibe its these two. And a number of other reasons.

- Firstly, I heavily headcanon Venti as being an aroace polyplatonic or perhaps heavily demiromantic. However, regardless of this I just don't think that Venti is really the kind of person to worry about how he should label his feelings, thinking it's silly to try to put them in one box or the other, especially with feelings and emotions being as fluid as they are in general. Plus it fits his whole God of Freedom vibe. I just- dont think he's the biggest fan of labels or social categorization in general.

- And secondly on the hand of Xiao... his defense mechanisms are very much ingrained in his personality. It's probably hard enough for him to not go into fight or flight(the answer is fight) at the slightest affection at first, at the slightest feeling of vulnerability. Even further down the line, with his fierce dedication to Liyue, I cant help but get the vibe that the moment he recognized that he was falling for Venti he would begin avoiding him, not only to avoid distraction from his duty, but to avoid corrupting him or losing him in general like he has with like basically every other person he gets close with(even believing that the cycle had repeated once more when he first heard of Morax's death)... now imagine Venti tryna slap a label on their relationship and tell me Xiao would have a positive reaction.

- The thing with Xiaoven.... honestly, i feel like theres more ways that it can go wrong than it can go right, but if they do manage to make their relationship work out, it's just simply beautiful in all terms of the word.

- Lets talk about killing. - During the Archon War, both were forced to kill a large number of people and gods alike- Venti out of a need to remain alive to protect Mondstadt, it's freedom, and the nameless bard's legacy by extent- and Xiao out of servitude to the god that was once his master

..... actually- break here- ive talked a lot about Venti on this blog but I havent actually spoken about Xiao all that much- so i should probably do that a bit first... do note though that my characterization of Xiao is pretty flexible actually- this is just- the possible characterization of him that i tend to favor as being the most- uh- "realistically complex"

-

Theres a line I saw this one time in a certain story: "He is a trained weapon. That's what he is, was, and always will be. You cannot change that so stop trying." And i just- think its a really interesting concept- that applies pretty well to Xiao now that i actually think about it. - the concept behind it is this: After spending more than a vast majority of his life killing or otherwise in battle, it's become a part of who he is, a normalcy that after centuries and centuries would be near impossible to get rid of or reverse, and even if it was possible, with his karmic debt constantly eating away at him its unlikely he has enough time left for that to happen. - it sounds like a cruel thing to say about him- but in context it's actually pretty layered and i think about it a lot. It's not as much a "he's a killer lol, that his whole personality" its more of a "The centuries of trauma he experienced have conditioned him into a constantly alert and battle ready mindset while also shaping his dehumanizing inferior-in-worth-but-superior-in-capability view of himself that would have likely been necessary to get through those time, and at this point he's been under that conditioning for long enough that it's essentially ingrained itself in his personality."

- the main idea is- it's a part of who he is, that needs to be accepted as who he is because its not something that he can just up and change. It's not all he is of course but his constant battle mode, as though always waiting to be ambushed or to be granted a new target to eradicate.

a couple character story quotes:

-"His past of service under the evil god had rid Xiao of his innocence and gentleness. All that remained within him was the means to kill and the weight of his sins. The only way he could be of service to mortals was in combat." -"Xiao does not feel any hatred. Having lived for over two thousand years, no single karmic debt constitutes anything more than a fleeting memory. No grudge can last a thousand years; nor is any debt so great that it cannot be paid off in this time. Xiao has spent many long years alone. But his battles have never been in vain." -"where did Xiao have to return to? He was merely leaving the battlefield." -"since Xiao wages a constant war against dark forces powerful enough to devour Liyue in its entirety, any bystanders who witness him in the heat of battle are likely to end up as collateral damage." -"The war he fights can never be won, and will never come to an end." -"Because ultimately, the one with whom Xiao wrestles is himself."

i feel like at some point this very nearly did consume his whole personality, almost turning him into nothing more than a being of slaughter under Morax's control, devoid of any "humanity" at all, consumed and corrupted by his karmic debt like his fellow yakshas before him. - until he experienced a moment of clarity- a song in the wind, the peaceful melody of a dihua flute. - and pulled back from the border of something he wouldnt have been able to return from, there a was a shift in his mind- a concept grown unfamiliar enough with time that it took him a great time to identify what it was; a curiosity. Something that there was no place for on the battlefield, something that by all means should have been completely useless to Xiao, and yet he held onto that curiosity, slowly regaining over time, a sense of who he was and who he could choose to be with each song that the wind chose to carry towards him every once in a blue moon.

and eventually that curiousity turned to longing. Longing "for a day to come when he will wear the mask and dance — not to conquer demons, but to the tune of that flute amid a sea of flowers"

...... uh- heh- if you couldn’t tell already i have a tendency to make my characterizations/analyses of characters more serious that i probably should. 

to summarize: Xiao is constantly toeing the line between his ingrained nature and his humanity- almost as though still trying to decide how much of that humanity he deserves to have, how much he is allowed to have, and how much is safe to have.

^looking back after writing this, i think the best way to explain it is that this is the view that i keep in mind/the lense that i tend to most enjoy looking through and refering back to while examining and/or analyzing his character, actions, story, lines, and overall personality.

idk- i kinda got off track but i just think its a really interesting interpretation to think about because it has some really interesting implications ig- it’s not the full extent of how i view him of course, but i kinda got ahead of myself and its long enough as is so ill just elaborate as i go- Lol i actually have in progress playlists for both him and venti and just- vibes- i could ramble about the playlists alone for hours explaining everything... It’s probably a problem- uh- ill keep going now lol.

anyways! stepping off the angst path for a brief break! Brought to you by their lines in the snow: both waiting for it to get thick enough, Venti for the purpose of a snowball fight and Xiao for the purpose of a tasty and nutritious breakfast.

but its actually something of note that Xiao doesnt actually need to eat so anything he does eat is usually out of obligation or enjoyment- so like.... snow.... like i dont blame him, but of all things- an adeptus who refuses to eat basically anything but almond tofu looks at the freezing-cold-floor-water that yeeted itself from above and decided at some point- damn- that seems more edible than basically ever single actually edible thing ever.... im gonna eat it- like- im glad if eating snow makes him happy but- at the same time...

He probably convinces Venti to eat snow too though and Venti wouldnt even resist I mean he’s wind and has probably consumed worse things in his time so- 2 anemo cryptids with glowing tattoos sitting in Dragonspine monching snow in the dead of night is an amusing thought to me.

- kay, now back to more serious-toned thoughts

One of the things about the ship that i really like is the different contradicting parallels between them:

A lot of how i view Xiao’s character is someone formed largely by the things he cant control and who was forced to accept that accepted that and learned to thrive in it as much as he can.  Venti on the other hand is surrounded by things he cant control and is ever adapting to control as much as he can while embracing whatever he cant as being part of the unpredictability of the world, seeing beauty in it. 

both of them have lost people and do what they do to honor their memory: Xiao continues to do what the Yakshas once did And Venti chooses to do what his friend couldn’t

Xiao’s power coming from himself  and Venti’s from others And both seem to appear to use their power for their own gain while truly helping others behind the scenes

both have killed a lot of people during the archon war Xiao views it as another necessary event out of his control and Venti would likely view it as a tragedy he chose to enact himself

and this is where we meet out balance

Xiao- contrary to how i think a lot of people view him as thinking of himself as a monster- seems canonically to have accepted this as part of his duty, as long as those he killed are not mortals. I dont think he enjoys it no- but someone has to do it and he’s just accepted that its a part of his duty Venti on the other hand-

See the beauty of the ship- as someone with an angst-centric mind- is this- these are two of the most traumatized mfers in the game 

Xiao is by far the one who needs the most help and who can serve to benefit most from the ship- but he is nowhere near self aware enough to recognize that there’s anything wrong or unhealthy about his mindset in the slightest-

whereas you have the contrast with Venti who sorted through most of his trauma with the nameless bard alone during the archon war and while the result appears more healthy- is still really not- but he’s not self aware of that either because i mean- who’s going to tell him? nobody even knows. 

however- venti is aware enough to notice flaws in Xiao’s mindset and “Venti” enough to want to help them through it-

Xiao- while not aware enough to recognize the flaws in Venti’s mindset, can recognize where it contrasts with his own, and is blunt enough to point it out- and then it’s out there to be mulled over- 

they’re so similar and yet so different and a feel just conversing between the two of them, being in each others precense, just being exposed to two mindsets that are so very different could do both of them a whole lot of good.

GEEE THAT BIT OF RAMBLING HAD LITTLE TO NO DIRECTION AT ALL- LET ME-- LET ME MAKE THIS START MAKING SENSE- WITH... DYNAMICS OR SOMETHING

I don’t think Xiao needs to sleep really- and i dont think that sleeping would do anything except make him uneasy at first- he’d probably just get nightmares after all he’s been through- but with Venti he would soon learn that it doesn’t have to be that way, lulled into the first peaceful sleep he’s had in... as long as he can remember.

anywho back to not making sense cuz im fickle and i think most questions about ships are best displayed through character interactions so like- a possible exchange thats cliche but cliches exist for a reason

Xiao: Why do you try so hard to help me, it isn’t easy. I know that much Venti, with the most adoring expression: Because you’re worth it, obviously Xiao: But surely there are others more deserving of- Venti: No Xiao, everyone is just as deserving as the next person, you included Xiao: Then why me above others? Venti: ehe, cuz ur my warrior of course [O//////O oh shit, hes right] Xiao: My contract is with Morax alone [gay panic but in broody yaksha]

it’s kinda difficult cuz neither of them really address their feelings.  I mean Venti does but he does it very indirectly and its rare that he ever does it with like- genuine directness- even spilling his backstory was in the form of a song- and told in the third person- so a lot of their interactions would often have some deeper meaning, especially with Venti being the bard he is. 

I come up with a lot of- errant thoughts about Xiaoven- but this is making me realize that a true analysis of their ship is rather difficult because it just encompasses so many dynamics so its hard to settle on just one and not go rambling about who knows what bouncing from one end of the ship to the other-  Because you truly can and thats the beauty of it

within one moment you can be having a heartfelt conversation about the archon war the impact of lost friends and times past, and the next moment Venti is trying to forcefeed Xiao an apple while Xiao screams about disrespecting the adepti and its just- so lovely

so while they have picnics with nothing but apples, dandelion wine, and almond tofu they can sit down and talk about the dreams Xiao once devoured, and the dandelion wine and apple cider that the first Ragnvindir invented from the plants that never could have grown in Old Mond. The foods that tasted of familiarity, or of the grilled ticker fish Pervases always used to eat, foods that tasted of friends and frankly family that had since passed, glaze lilies and cecilias and qingxin flowers scattered in the surroundings and woven into Xiao’s neat braids and Venti’s now messy ones, rebraided by the steady and inexperienced hands of one unused to gentle action. 

and then of course Venti steals Xiao’s tofu once the mood becomes too grim and replaces it with a bottle of wine that Xiao refers to as “vile poison,” a remark that fatally wounds Venti as he collapses on the floor, proclaiming how he can only be healed by a Yaksha’s kiss. Xiao ignores this of course and simply takes back his tofu with a slight smile on his face, but as Venti persists he soundlessly places a kiss on his own palm before intertwining their fingers and pulling him back up from where he was dramatically sprawled on the floor, grumbling about how such action was “unbecoming of an archon.” A sign of affection only Xiao would ever know about. But Venti is literally wind and I hc his senses work differently anyways so he definitely knows- plus Xiao’s face is red as the blood of his enemies and the way he is pointedly not looking at Venti at all really speaks volumes anyways. 

 -Venti playing epic battle music whenever Xiao goes into fights in what looks like a ridiculously extra performance to anyone else but is actually doing wonders to keep Xiao’s karma at bay

-Venti preaches the practice of “kissing wounds better” and Xiao is unfamiliar with this medical treatment but views it as unnecessary regardless because adepti have accelerated healing, doesn’t mean he’s going to stop him though. 

-Messages whispered on the wind

-Venti’s 1000 year sleep- an accident, not a fun time for the yaksha, and not a fun time for Venti once he woke up. Venti is actually more afraid of restful sleep than Xiao is, hence the sleeping in trees thing, but when Xiao is there, he can sleep restfully with faith that Xiao wont let another millennia slip through his fingertips. 

- Xiao tends to make excuses when doing things that aren’t necessary to his duty, like in his birthday voice line “Have this, it’s a butterfly i made from leaves... Okay. Take it. It’s an adepti amulet -- it staves off evil” because at the current point in his progress it helps him to feel like he’s allowed to do these things. Not wanting to put him off from progress, Venti never comments on his excuse but never fails to whisper a quick reminder of how proud he is of how far Xiao had come.

- Xiao’s karma saddens Venti greatly- not only because of how it effects Xiao but also because its a reminder that as much as Venti tries to honor the memory of those he’s killed, there will always be those who resent him for it, and when he took the option of living away from them, he truly can’t blame them. - And when he gets too wrapped up in thoughts, whether around this topic or similar ones or otherwise, eventually, he’ll hear the sound of a flute on the wind. It’s not divine by any means, but as his own wind connects him to the source, he gets the sentiment all the same. “What impact does one individual’s remaining wrath have on the present. You have done much to help the living in the present” the unspoken idea that Xiao has included himself in that statement, because now, with Venti’s help he’s beginning to learn just how to experience living for himself. 

- Venti’s form and Xiao’s mask are off limit topics though because if either mentions it the other will counter with the opposite and the mood will turn immediately bitter at the idea that both know that what they’re doing is destructive but neither are willing to change

- Venti who has different tells for negative feelings than most people because as much as he likes to pretend it is- this form isnt his, and Xiao who is able to identify those

- many fanfics and headcanons have Venti recognizing when Xiao is uncomfortable and getting him out of those situations. I see that and I love it but i raise you: - Venti taking Xiao to Mondstadt, careful that he doesn’t get to the point that he’s uncomfortable. And nothing goes wrong exactly, but Xiao notices the the way Venti’s cape is blowing in the wind, the way he’s holding his weight, barely on his feet so much as floating on the wind, connected with the ground only for the sake of appearance, all the while he looks just as happy go lucky as ever. And without a word, he grabs his hand and teleports them both out of Mondstadt.  - turns out it was just a slight thing that reminded him of the archon war (cuz i will die on the hill of him having more tragic backstory than just Decarabian), and he of course gives a sincere if not flustered thanks to Xiao, because he’s really not used to people noticing. 

- Venti trying to vent sneakily through fictional stories and Xiao is just like “Didn’t that basically happen to you” and Venti is just like “<_< shit”

- Venti once said affectionally that he wished he had met Xiao sooner and Xiao immediately and seriously shot it down by saying “If you had, I would have been forced to kill you” and both of them now stay up at night wondering who would have won that fight, not sure which result would have hurt more. (because honestly I have no idea who would win in that fight and that terrifies me- I like to think it would have been one of those legends that end with “and the fight persists to this day” or something along those lines)

- “How long have you been together?” “Adepti have no need for-” “1000+ years T^T how dare you deny our love” “O///O our...? ...useless”

- its disney- let me explain- i have this- i have this headcanon inspired by watching too many animatics- - so venti has a human form that isnt his- which he would have had to get used to moving in- and he’s a bard- - uh- anyway- as a third degree black belt in mixed martial arts, i can speak as an authority on this(not really an authority since i havent gone since quarantine but lets pretend). We have a thing referred to as the big three(most things do), and those things are martial arts, gymnastics, and dance. The idea is that they reflect really well off of each other and the best in any one category are good in all three. Timing, balance, form, discipline, technique, hand-eye coordination, grace, ease of motion, they all play a part- anyway-

- Venti taking Xiao’s prowess in martial arts and acrobatics and teaching him how to dance, and as someone who’s extremely skilled in the first two, the third comes easy to him, almost naturally. And it’s delicate and beautiful and lovely and it isn’t hurting anyone. And Venti points all these things out and more and despite how much Xiao insists that he feels ridiculous he truly does enjoy it and it goes a long way towards helping him form more healthy views of himself and his worth.  - Verr Goldett walked in on him once and made a joke about performing at the inn. unfortunately Venti was there and agreed on Xiao’s behalf before he could protest and- and it wasn’t as bad as Xiao thought it would be... he still wouldn’t do it again though without reason, but with good enough reasoning he could probably be convinced. 

- anyways point is he likes dancing to Venti’s songs and i just think that’s really cute - just picture the idea that all the animatics you see actually have the potential to be canon- ugh

- venti tries holding something out of Xiao’s reach since he’s taller and Xiao just fucking teleports 

- both need their space but when they dont, all they have to do is speak the other’s name and they’ll be there.

- and because i just had to.... love languages

- lets start with Xiao- i don’t think he’d view acts of service or quailty time as a love language tbh, and he blunt but really bad with words so affirmation is out, leaving gift giving and physical touch. However, he seems to view most material things as meaningless so- - Xiao who’s love language is in his fleeting touches, something he’s only recently grown comfortable with because of Venti, and now is giving back, which he knows he doesn’t have to do, but that he want’s to, though he’ll still continue to make excuses for each one. “you were shivering” “The inn is high up, you could have fallen..... I said what I said, you’d question an adeptus?”

- and as easy as it is to say words of affirmation for Venti- he does that for everyone- i want to say his is actually acts of service - its the acts of service that let him see just how much Xiao has progressed afterall, from teaching him to dance, to playing another song on the flute, to supplying him with the almond tofu he seems to enjoy so much. Every little thing he does helps Xiao to grow and he couldn’t be happier about that. 

-

- of course most of my headcanons for the ship do take place latter into the relationship because- y’know the less serious unhealthy vibes allow for greater range of thought, but i do still love to think about the serious implications so i kinda hopped back and forth. So sorry about how messy it is btw, i kinda- got carried away- it kinda got some kind of structure near the end tho so- maybe it’s okay. anyway- back to... lol something, we’ll see where thought forests lead.