#Fluff and sadness and angst and happiness

[naomihatake]

A merman's poem, or is it a curse?

pairing: siren Rafayel x princess reader

genre: The Little Mermaid AU, romance, fluff and angst, hurt/comfort, bittersweet ending

content tags: siren/lemurian Rafayel, not exactly slow burn, Rafayel despises humans, discrimination and abuse against merfolk, misogynistic society, explicit reference to deaths and revenge, mentions of rape, on screen injuries and blood, the Sea is a Goddess, grief

word count: 10k words (it's split in 7 parts, all in one post)

theme song: “Quiet Moon” by Colossal Trailer Music

A/N: I let this marinate for around two to three months, I think, but of course I end up posting in the the middle of my final exams. I started this long before even knowing there would be a merman Rafayel myth, but I'm so happy to see his third myth 😭. The trailer is sad and this fic isn't necessarily happy either, but I loved every second of it. (My eyes are puffy, I sobbed when I wrote the final part). Anyways, buckle up to meet a very charming merman

I. 

The abyss hugged her into a cold embrace as she sank lower and lower into the sea. She had lost some touch with the world already, as her lungs screamed for the oxygen her body wasn't receiving. The heavy material of her dress clung to her and dragged her lower. 

It was getting darker and colder with each second, seconds that stretched into exhausting minutes in her tired brain.

At the surface, sailors, knights and a terrified father screamed her name. Against better judgment, one of the sailors dragged the king before he could drown himself as well. 

With a silent prayer, the sailor forced the king back. “May the sea have mercy on her.” 

***

Somewhere at the depths of the sea, a creature heard a cry, along with whimpers and pitiful prayers. 

“They should learn when not to go on the sea, seriously,” Rafayel scoffed. 

The merman watched as a small golden fish danced between his fingers. With a gentle push, the fish kissed his palm. Rafayel smiled softly, almost forgetting about the cries carried by the sea currents. 

“May the sea be damned!” an angry man wailed at the storm above him. 

“The storm won't stop if you curse the waters, old man,” Rafayel's tone dipped with venom. “You don't hear our cries when you kill our kind. Of course the sea will steal your loved ones. Right, little one?” his purple eyes sparkled at the fish. 

The small creature almost bumped into the tip of his nose. With his eyes crossed, Rafayel laughed. 

The water seemed to still. Strangely, like there was a weight heavier than the sea could carry. 

The storm above was hard to ignore. The sea knew — the sea knew of the grief and the vicious words spoken to Her, She knew there was a young human drowning in it. Unlike them, the Sea was merciful. 

Rafayel gulped down. The weight settled on his heart and quickened his heartbeats, body aching restlessly. Raising his head, with a deep frown between his brows, bubbles escaped his lips as he sighed. 

Fine. The Sea must know better than him. 

So he swam closer and closer to the surface, until a glimpse of color caught his eye. That someone whom the Sea didn't want to kill just yet. 

The Sea could be so demanding sometimes. 

The poor woman was just as cold as him. Unusual for a human, Rafayel thought as he curled his arms around her body. 

A pair of empty eyes opened slowly. All she could hear was a delicate, yet deep hum. A hum that morphed into an incoherent song, a song more beautiful than a lullaby. Her forehead was resting against a cold shoulder, cold yet so tempting. Like something deep within herself, something like desire curled from deep within her chest and unraveled. 

Rafayel, with a suspicious eye, watched as she drifted back into slumber. Pushing to the surface of the water, he laid her down on the sand. His neck cracked lightly when he threw his head back to look up at the chaos in the sky. 

Thunder boomed heavily and light flashed across the dark grey clouds. The wind was unforgiving, catching onto his long hair. 

And when the worst had passed, Rafayel went back into the Sea. 

II. 

Her father was at fault for the love that nestled in her heart, for how much she adored the sea and the water. Even after almost drowning, she couldn't quite let go of it. When her parents admonished her, she had tried to reason with them. 

‘The sea has always been dangerous, but it won't stop me from having a journey once in a while.’ 

Sadly, they had forbidden her from getting on a ship again. So all she could do was sneak away somewhere close to the sea, not far away from the palace.

Heels discarded on the sand, she lifted the hem of her dress as she stepped into the water. It tickled her toes and lapped at her ankles. Raising her dress a little more, the water was already soaking its hem by the time it reached the middle of her calves. 

Taking in a slow, deep breath, she smiled at the bright sky. Having been stuck with royal duties, she had missed the sea. Said royal duties didn't only include private lessons with high-ranked professors or manners and dancing, playing the piano. Sadly, it also meant she was worrying about—

The princess squinted her eyes at the sea. A long shadow swam in the water and… it was heading towards her. Could it be a dolphin? No, they're smaller. It seemed like a humanoid silhouette… 

Said creature emerged from the water. All that she knew was the air pushed out of her lungs as a gasp left her lips. 

“It’s you,” she breathed out.

The princess had deemed it as a dream. There was no way someone like him existed and no one could've survived in those chaotic waters. Countless people have died on the sea, men lost in its greedy depths. 

Him. The man with purple hair she had seen when she drowned in the sea. The long strands of hair fell to his waist, framing his deep gaze. The same tantalizing gaze, the same gem-like eyes, the same sculpted face. A piercing presence that had her heart twist and tremble, something she thought of as a dream. 

Under the water, she caught a glimpse of a long tail, the tail… of a fish? No, that was not just a man. It was a merman. It was what sailors feared the most. He was— 

He was absolutely ethereal. 

Stepping back, she stumbled and fell, hands splayed over the wet sand as she tried to catch herself with lack of grace. 

She backed away, fingers digging in the sand. The hand curled around her ankle sent an arrow running through her veins at a rapid pace, eyes widening in surprise and something more. Something a little more palpable, a little stronger, something like fear. With a flinch, the beautiful merman tilted his head to the side as he let go. 

“What? That's the gratitude you show me after I've saved your life?” 

Glaring at him with caution, she took in his confused expression. An arched eyebrow, purple wet hair glued to his forehead. Seemingly annoyed by the sensation, he ruffled the strands of hair, but his gaze never left hers. Burning into her being, into her soul, just enough to bare her heart to an unknown person. He was forcing her ribcage open with a simple gaze. 

All that he found was a dull panic that twisted into knots. Something raw, but ever present, like the anticipation has been building up slowly for years. 

Like something might snap anytime. 

“What're you doing?” came out her shuddering murmur. 

Rafayel almost scoffed. “What do you mean?”

“Gripping at me.” 

Her voice didn't crack and she didn't stutter, but she could feel the air get stuck at the base of her throat. Was she gonna die? The merman looked over body, down her dress, until his gaze fell on her exposed ankle. 

“You’re the one who owes me something,” and he leaned back a little. 

Even that little frown in between his brows looked mesmerizing on his pristine face. Every night, she falls asleep after mumbling a prayer to the Gods above and she wholeheartedly believed he'd been sculpted by them personally. They've taken their sweet time when they made him out of sand and sea shells. The most thoughtful thing was that they probably stole two stars from the sky and created his eyes. 

That must be it. Otherwise, she couldn't explain to herself, his very being, his very existence. 

“What did you think I was going to do, cutie?”

She clicked her tongue at the petname, bringing her knees a little closer to herself. Away from him. This time, however, he looked at her as if he wanted to unravel even more of her, as if he was ready to untwist her bloody vessels from her heart. Oddly suspicious, he seemed. 

“I don't know about mermen, but on land, men are merciless with lone women.” 

Or so she heard. Still unmarried, which was unusual considering she was close to her nineteenth birthday. Rare were the times when she got the chance to go around the kingdom or even be alone, but she's caught maids whispering between them. She had been lectured by her mother that whatever may her future husband ever want, she shall be delighted to offer it to him. No matter what it is, because otherwise she'd be just a stubborn daughter and an ungrateful wife. 

Rafayel’s expression morphed into one of astonishment. As if he, too, has heard of stories from above the waterline, about how humans treat each other. As if he has heard stories of weeping women that had lost a child at birth and were roughly handled by their husbands. As if he has heard a mother scolding her young daughter for being disobedient. 

“You humans really are merciless, aren't you?” 

“Tell me about it,” she snapped her head to the other side. 

Shifting on the sand, she curled her arms around her knees and breathed in deeply. She didn't want to leave just yet — he was at fault for her reluctance. Rafayel hadn't lied when he called her curious.

The noises of sloshing water nudged her to turn her head back to the merman, who was shifting a little closer. Sitting on the sand with his tail still in the water, he leaned on one arm as he took her in. His gaze reflected hers; curious and intense, with a tinge of interest. Stripping each other of their skin. There was something similar to paint on his collarbones, running down his arms, but it didn't wash away in the waves. Her eyes lingered, until she got the chance to admire his tail. 

The scales sparkled under the sun rays like the kind of gems nobles would cry for. Light nuances of blue and purple blended together perfectly and she might've seen those colors during sunsets, when the world around takes her breath away. It was huge — two times longer than the upper half of his body. Her fingertips ached to touch. 

“Now it's my turn to ask what your intentions are.” 

His low tone sent a dangerous shiver down her spine. Eyes widening for a mere second, she snapped out of her reverie. She was gawking at him, and he didn't seem to like it. If anything, he quite despised it. 

“You're just pretty,” she reasoned all of a sudden. 

Not even a second later, blush creeped up her face and reddened her ears. What was she thinking, saying a thing like that? 

“I mean— I don't—” 

“What don't you?” he arched his eyebrow at her. 

Rafayel regarded her like a predator ready to snare, like someone who acted benevolent because it suited him. However, something much more tender was hidden behind that threatening tone. Vulnerable almost, like he, too, wanted to find more than cruelty in someone, like he was desperately holding onto a strand of hope. Although hope is just a fragile piece of glass, they clung onto it, hoping the other doesn't want to bring doom over them. 

She felt like a fish on dry sand and it was an awful sensation. Such a commanding presence, suffocating, leaving her bare. Even as she wanted to search for more in the little cracks of his personality, it was a damn hard task. 

“I don't mean anything bad by that,” she whispered, voice trailing off. 

Unsure, confused. Worried that she might've said something wrong, even if usually a man's reaction would've been an attempt to flirt. Instead, he regarded her with caution. 

For him, that compliment didn't sit right. On a normal day, a human would've already been plotting how to rip the scales off of him and bring him to tears. Instead, she wore a delicate expression, anxious. 

“What is it supposed to mean, then?” 

(He wanted to punish himself for the way his voice softened just a bit.) 

“I mean that you're beautiful. Like art.” 

“And what do you intend to do about that?”

“Look at you?” and now it was her time to awkwardly tilt her head to the side. 

Not in a ‘I'll strip you of your scales’ way, but more like ‘you're too gorgeous to get my eyes off of you and I can't really help myself’. He didn't feel analyzed or looked at like he was an object, but more like… admired. Rafayel felt admired, the same way children look up at a whale's belly when it swims above them. The same way he looks at colorful corrals when he's playing hide and seek with the fish. 

The princess could feel the shift in his demeanor, so she leaned in a little closer. Just enough to get a better look of his eyes, close enough to feel a cold scent waffling in the air. Close enough for a small smile to break on her lips when the top of his walls crumbled. 

The merman averted his gaze with a faint pink tinting his cheeks. He really was like a piece of art. 

“I might be from underwater, but staring it's rude,” he quipped, throwing her a glare. 

It was half hearted, actually. Some of his pride swelled at being admired, and in such an innocent way nonetheless. 

“I'm sorry about that,” she pulled her lips in a tight line and averted her gaze. 

The sea was lapping at her feet and she stretched her legs just a little more. The midday sun warmed up the water and she couldn't help the urge to seek that comforting sensation. As if the water gained a mind of itself and was indulging into her childish needs, kissing her ankles but never going further. Shy. 

“Why did you save me?” she whispered into nowhere. 

Gulping down, the princess tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. After all, the stories she's heard about mermaids were awful at best; most of them ended with a bloodbath and sailors drowning in the sea as the creatures took revenge for their stolen tears and scales, for their ripped silky tails. A never ending cycle. Most stories spoke of beautiful maidens with long tails, but the one next to her was the most beautiful man she's ever laid eyes on. 

And dangerous nonetheless — she could feel it in her chest, the waves of a threat lapping at her heart. 

“I wonder,” he hummed softly. 

This time, as she turned to take him in once again, he stared forward at the sea with a gentle expression on his face. 

How long until he shows his claws and drowns her too? 

III. 

Rafayel never did. The sound of his name rolling on her tongue sounded like musical notes, strangely. Maybe he's already sung the song of her death and she's been put under a spell, maybe she was already going insane. She continued to seek him out, always slipping away from her chambers before dinner. When the sun basked in the cool of the sea and the sky was a splendid canvas of colors, she would sit on the sand. More often than not, the merman would emerge from the water and sit next to her. 

One time, he caught her with a book in between her fingers. Knees bent, the princess rested it on her legs as she murmured something. The splash of water didn't seem to wake her up from her dreamy gaze. 

“Princess?”

Raising her head, she locked eyes with the beautiful merman. He was resting on his front side, tail flicking playfully in the air. Rafayel wore a curious smile on his face, the colors in his eyes so similar to the sunset. 

He was a sight to behold. The Gods above have created him to bewitch everyone that happens to lay eyes on him. 

The merman wasn't necessarily surprised by the look in her eyes — it was to be expected and it stroked his ego. However, the tenderness sculpted in her features whenever she looked at him was queer. Humans were supposed to be sexually seduced, to lust over him. They weren't supposed to blink shily and wear a tiny smile on their faces. She shouldn't grin so… cutely at him. 

“Hello to you too,” she hummed as she laid her legs on the wet sand. 

“What are you reading about?” he found himself asking before he could stop. 

Her gaze flickered between the book and the merman. 

“Love poems. They're quite sad, though.” 

“Aren't you a princess?” he arched his eyebrow at her, as if doubting her title as a future ruler. “With duties and stuff?” 

“Oh, believe me, I've been buried with political issues and strategic plans until now. And not that I dislike them, they're quite charming, but I've had enough of them for today.” 

At that answer, his lips twitched into a proud smile. So his princess was smart, hm? 

“For a moment, I thought all heirs on land are puppets of their parents.” 

With a roll of her eyes, she snapped her book closed. This fishie loved to tease her. 

“The amount of arguments I get into with my family is proof that you're wrong.”

“Now that's a rebellious daughter,” he chuckled. 

Tilting her head to the side, she shot him with a curious gaze. With one of his elbows digging in the sand, he rested his face into his palm, watching her. She wished she was a painter — maybe then she'd be able to stop the time in its tracks and capture the beauty of this scene. The princess wondered what kind of twisted pleasure people got from destroying the lives of other beings, ripping them away from the sea when they so obviously belonged there. 

“What kind of hierarchies do you have?” she wondered out loud. “I suppose there has to be some kind of leader or ruler, right?” 

“You're not wrong.”

However, he squinted his eyes at her. Cautious, it seemed like, because important information could always be used against him. Despite the palpable sincerity he recognized within her, the feelings she wore on her sleeve (as he had noticed in various stances when they saw each other), Rafayel was wary of her. A little. 

Deep down, he wanted to get rid of that feeling of fondness that spoke her name. He denied and refused it, hiding it in the shell of his heart. A heart that shall be firm and strong, for everyone's sake. He couldn't be the son of the Sea in her eyes, or else everything could be ruined. 

“However, you're far harsher with your titles of nobility,” he scoffed. 

With a sigh, she looked at the book in her lap. 

“There are a lot of issues, I have to admit. The children of nobility read of philosophers that believed in better worlds, but it seems futile on land. The classes are so carefully crafted, one cannot ever forget the birthmark of their social status. Is it like that amongst your kind as well?” 

Sincerity. He hated it. He despised the honesty dripping in her tone like the sweetest of corals. 

Staring at her for a little longer, he pondered on his answer. 

“Our communities are tightly holding onto each other. We're all one. There's not much regarding wealth.” 

“How come it feels like you know more about my world than I know about yours? Aren't you scared of being caught by the people if you poke too deep?”

With an incredulous chuckle, Rafayel ran a hand through his damp hair. 

“Princess, sailors of nobles come with books on their ships. We got our hands on plenty of information. You truly are cruel creatures.”

Eyes widening slightly, she seemed to put together the pieces. 

“Of course. No sailor can dive that deep into the waters, but it's easy to drown a ship. Genius,” she shook her head with a chuckle of her own. 

Rafayel blinked and all of a sudden. He seemed like a cute fish with big eyes. (Gosh, he was so cute at times.) Confusion written all over his face, he silently waited for an explanation behind her reaction. She should be mad at him, should curse him and, worst of them all, call for some other stupid humans to catch and torture him. 

The princess caught onto his reaction and all he received was a shrug. “I have heard of siren tails being cut off. My parents had received one as a gift on the 10th anniversary of their marriage.”

Rafayel felt rage curl around his throat like a vice. Gulping down, his eyes narrowed into slits as he tried not to snap at her. He wondered where her little speech will lead to. The neutral tone he was regarded with fueled the fire burning deep in his chest, beneath the same scales humans wished to pluck from his skin. 

“I've seen pearls that craftsmen claimed to be made of a mermaid's tears and I have watched the King's most trusted knight wield a sword adorned with sharp red scales. Drowning our ships is the least you can do to avenge your loved ones.” 

The merman was silent. As he continued to take her presence in and let the words sink in, Rafayel recognized a certain fear in the corners of her eyes. She gripped at her book, as if scared of what might happen to her for touching such a sensitive topic. 

Tilting her head forward, the princess didn't dare meet his eyes anymore. Guilty and a little scared, all she could do was wait. 

“It is the least we could do,” he hummed lowly, low as the thunder that booms in the sky. “We could've done much worse. At least we don't rape our prisoners and make slaves out of them.”

The truth felt venomous on the tip of his tongue and he meant it with his everything. The reality sunk deeper into her being and she nodded sadly. Wondering what could lead to such hatred between two rational species, she couldn't find an answer. (She was in no place to complain or act as a victim either, even if she could become one at any moment.) 

Snapping his head towards the sea, for the umpteenth time, Rafayel questioned his sanity for spending time with her — with a human. He questioned his loyalty and morals. For a moment, he hated himself for choosing to follow his curiosity and see this human, this woman—

When his eyes snapped back to her figure, he saw the same mournful expression on her face. She couldn't possibly know what it means to lose some of your own because of the selfish reasons of another. That's how humans are — always greedy. She couldn't fathom such a thing, not to the extent he did. 

However, something familiar was written on her face, something he's seen in his own reflection. 

“Human,” he murmured lowly. 

The princess raised her head with a hum. 

“Do you wear those cursed pearls? Do you wield those venomous weapons? Do you admire the tails that are hung like portraits?” 

Something within her chest curled and twisted like an animal, like his words had a life of their own and they twisted in her heart. And maybe they did, when her heart was too full with feelings of all sorts, when she wished things had been better. 

“I don't,” she whispered in a tight tone, never shifting her gaze from him, not this time. She hoped, deep down, that maybe his hatred would be quenched if she was to be harmed. 

A human. Stupid and egoistic. She hoped the lives that have been lost on land and in the sea would find peace. 

“Do you search for mermaids and mermen when you sail?”

“I don't.” 

With another huff, he looked away. Solemnly, he blinked at the still sea and gulped. 

“Have you ever done something to get a mermaid out of a human's hands?” 

“I have.”

That he hasn't expected. Once again, he was wary of her words, even if he couldn't sense any lies. 

“Then maybe you'll be able to change something,” Rafayel wondered out loud. 

Nothing was for sure. He didn't know if she would ever fall on the path of the ones who've raised her, filled with egoism. 

IV. 

She couldn't comprehend how she ended up glued to the merman she's been enamoured with. It was almost impossible, how fate turned her life upside down, how it brought Rafayel before her eyes and shifted the course of her future. 

(The young lady had stumbled with her heels in the sand while she had been complaining about politics in an animated voice.) 

He was even prettier from up-close, when she could admire the small scales on his cheekbone. They were barely visible and her fingers ached to touch. His usually pale skin was tinted pink on the sides and the tips of his ears were on fire. His calculated gaze had been long forgotten, instead replaced by the most adorable eyes she's ever seen — like a deer caught in the daylight. Long hair draped over the sand like a deep purple halo around his head; sometimes she remembered he was a siren, ethereal and out of this world. 

Both his arms were curled around her waist. His grip was unsure — did he want to push her away or bring her closer? He didn't know. 

What she didn't know was that her expression mirrored his. She was tense above him, as the material of her dress was absorbing the water on his body. Big, sweet eyes staring down at him while his heart threatened to burst. It swelled like a puffer fish, but it lacked poison. 

Rafayel has probably put a spell on her, since all rational thoughts have been washed away when her hand rose. With the tip of her fingers, she traced the tender scales on his face. Scared, absolutely terrified of hurting him, she almost flinched away at first. However, the merman didn't wince. His gaze softened and she could feel his body melt underneath her. 

“Isn't the dry sand uncomfortable on your back?” she asked in a voice as gentle as the sea breeze. 

All he did was shake his head. Stealing a glance at her hand, he looked at her expectantly. Touch me again. 

So she did. She cupped his cheek in her palm and caressed the soft, transparent scales on his cheek. Trailing her fingers down to his jaw, she leaned in closer. The tip of her nose pressed into his cheek and a smile bloomed on her lips. 

Who would've thought love feels so warm? Who would've thought that she'd ever melt in the arms of a man, a siren? 

Rafayel watched her with utmost interest. He knew she was smiling by the shift of her face so close to his and it only relaxed him further. He had to admit, the sand getting glued to his wet back was a little unpleasant, but he couldn't find it within himself to move. 

“Cutie, are you trying to reverse our roles and seduce me?” 

Her face turned red like a clown fish. Suddenly raising her head, she pressed her palms against the expanse of his bare chest. Frowning at him so cutely, Rafayel laughed with amusement. Throwing his head back as his shoulders shook with his laughter, he felt her halfheartedly hit his chest. 

“Rafayel! You're a menace,” came out her annoyed complaint. “You stupid fish.” 

“Smarter than you if I caught you with such a lame line.”

Of course he'd continue to tease her. Stupid fish. Gorgeous stupid fish. 

Her gaze shifted to his exposed neck and she finally got the chance to admire the carefully crafted scales on his neck. It looked similar to the gills of a fish and they seemed just as soft as the ones on his cheeks. 

He had a beautiful neck. 

The princess was ashamed of her own thoughts. With a huff, she hid her face into the crook of his neck. 

The merman's response was the shift of an arm that raised from her waist a little higher, until it was securely wrapped around her shoulders. Cold to the touch, he brought a pleasant chill down her spine when his fingers brushed over her nape, tangling in her hair. 

“Princess,” Rafayel hummed in a low, gentle tone. 

The lady in question didn't stir. She shifted above him, slipping her hands underneath his shoulder blades and holding tightly onto him. Her frown hasn't disappeared either. The merman could picture the pout on his princess’s adorable face. 

With a noncommittal hum, she responded. 

“Let me take a proper look at your face, cutie,” a sweet giggle escaped his lips. 

“You'll tease me,” she scoffed, words muffled against his skin. 

With a soft flinch, another giggle escaped him. Out of the blue, the alarmed lady above him raised her head. 

“Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to. Am I too—”

Rafayel pressed his palm against her lips to shut down her babbling. She was certain she'd never seen such a gentle expression on his face. 

“Your breath tickled me. I'm fine, pretty.” 

With a tiny relieved sigh, she continued to look into his eyes. The hand on her lips moved lower and cupped the side of her neck, thumb pressing against her pulse. Life thrummed right under the weight of his finger and it filled him with an ineffable sensation. Heat raised to her face once more, but she didn't shift her gaze away that time. 

She wanted to kiss him. But they knew what would happen then. They knew it'd bring a tragedy upon them. 

Against better judgment, her heart ached to press her lips against his skin, against anywhere she would be allowed. To run her fingers through his long hair. She ached to be closer, to feel his chest against hers, to get rid of her annoying dress—

“What's gotten you so flushed?” he arched an eyebrow at her. 

As if he didn't know. As if he didn't feel the love and the tension swirling in the air. 

“Your hand touched my lips…” she started in a small voice. “Does that mean I can— that I can kiss you? Like, anything but your lips?” 

Ashamed of her own question, she looked away. Rafayel felt her tense once again. Truth be told, if she paid enough attention, she'd see his widened eyes and the shock written on his face. 

Curiosity got the best of him. No, love did, bringing to life something he didn't know could take such violent forms. 

Something tugged painfully at his gut. 

“You wouldn't kiss my lips?” came out his whisper. 

“Are you insane?!” she snapped her head towards him. Wearing a frown, she gulped. “Of course not, Rafayel. I don't want you to disappear and I don't want you to suffer. Why would I kiss you if it was to hurt you?”

“Even if I wanted you to kiss me?” 

The vulnerability in his tone put out some flames in her heart. 

“You are, indeed, a stupid fish,” she clicked her tongue. “I wouldn't. You must have a very bad impression of me if you think I take your presence for granted—”

Her rambling had been stopped by the press of his lips against her neck. Yelping, her nails sank into his shoulders. Rafayel felt her shudder as a certain satisfaction coiled in his stomach. Her open mouth made space for a heavy breath. The merman licked at her pulse with the tip of his tongue and groaned. That beautiful scent of hers was on his tongue and he wanted nothing more than to take and take and take. 

The poor heart in between her ribs was going to jump into the sea if he kept it up like that. 

“Does that answer your question?”

“Ra— Rafayel,” she whined. 

Moving his head away, he got the chance to admire the blush on her cheeks and her tightly squeezed eyes. He could see the parting of her lips, but his soul had already chosen her. 

And he couldn't go against her wish, could he? No, that would curse him for the rest of his lives. 

“I wish I thought that way about you,” he admitted in a shameful voice. That brought her attention to him. “But I don't. I can see that you care, cutie.” 

“That's good,” she hummed as a smile curled onto her lips. “I wouldn't want you to believe anything else. Because I do care, Rafayel. I want you to know that, always.”

Always. Because her love was full of shifts, but it always kept on growing, it turned into a berserk beast-like creature who chewed onto anything that threatened to hurt what she loved. 

Despite the fact that later that night, after they had parted ways, her parents will have an “important” conversation about her future husband. Despite it all, she loves him and she knows. Even as she cries with her face in her palms, she knows her love is there. Even when her hand runs down her neck, where his lips had touched her, she's wholeheartedly aware of her doom. 

V. 

“Do you want to come in the water with me?” 

Once again, he emerged from the sea with a grin on his face. He's been watching her eye him, the way he swam, the way he seemed so at peace with everything. Rafayel seemed so happy, floating at the surface of the sea. 

However, she felt stuck there, on the sand. Fingers curled into the material of her own dress as she looked at him with a frown and a small pout. 

“You're sulking,” he taunted her. Such an annoying fish. 

“I'm not,” she huffed, turning her head to the side. 

From behind the huge stones where they were, she could only see the tower of her family’s palace. They had forbidden her from going in the water again, but that wasn't the same, was it? It would be a small trip, close to the shoreline, safe… 

Safe. She would expect Rafayel to make sure she doesn't drown. Uncertainty gnawed at her heart. 

The grip she had on her dress loosened. The light pink material curled in the breeze at her ankles and she sighed heavily. 

“Cutie?”

This time, he was closer. Weight settled on the hands in the sand, he tilted his head to the side with a little frown. If she didn't know any better, she'd believe that was worry. Maybe it really was. 

The princess had told her parents that it didn't matter, that the incident didn't change her relationship with the sea, the fondness she had whenever she was on water. However, in there was nestled a lie — a part of her was scared. Scared that a sudden storm might appear out of the blue, scared that something would be wrong with the ship, scared that the Gods won't be mercy and second time. Scared that there won't be Rafayel next time. 

“You seem unsure.” It was, probably, the first time he's ever spoken so softly, so patiently. “But the Sea doesn't want revenge. It is us who do. She's benevolent.” 

Rolling over, he sat on the sand and patted the place next to him. Without much thought, she settled next to him, knees pulled close to her chest. The dress raised up her calf a little, exposing her skin to the cool breeze. 

“She nudged me to get you out of the water,” Rafayel hummed dreamily. He continued to look at her profile. “She wanted to save you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a reason to save you.” 

It was his honesty that made the young lady turn her head to him. Curiousity sparkled in her eyes, and as their gazes met, fire burnt in between them. Slowly, steady, like the flame of a candle. 

“This time, however, I want you in the water. And I'll make sure you're alright. Also, it would be sad for you to lose your trust in Her.” 

The princess blinked. 

“Is She… like a God to you?” 

“Yes,” he nodded. “Sometimes She's merciful because you pay Her respects. However, She's at Her worst when humans harm one of our own. We're Her children.” 

She nodded at him. A comfortable feeling washed over her. So She was like a Mother to them. Of course She'd seek vengeance once in a while, when Her kids are harmed. 

Rafayel pushed herself back in the water, extending his hand towards her. 

“I'll hold your hand.”

Sirens lure in humans and make them drown. They bewitch men and women alike with the sole reason to kill them. They're merciless and angry, always greedy to take one more life. Never trust someone who has claimed to live in the sea, for that is the home of monstrous creatures. 

However, the merman before her eyes smiled sincerely at her, still waiting. Truth be told, she couldn't deny the magic of his words, of his presence. Something within her wished to see his long purple hair flow in the water like seaweed. She wanted to see him in all his glory, in the sea, happy and at peace. 

Against better judgement, she took his hand. Standing up, she slowly walked into the sea, her feet sinking in the sand. One hand gripping at her skirt, she raised its hem at the front and walked with Rafayel as he swam. It reached her ankles, then her calf and her knees. By that point, holding her skirt up was to no use, so she let go of it. 

If she returns back home and the dress is still soaking wet, her parents won't even let her get out of her chambers. But, she continued to walk deeper into the water, hand in hand with the merman. 

Until the water reached her waist and she held her breath at the cold pricking at her skin. Gulping, she hasn't realized just how fast her heart beat, how her hands trembled. Rafayel took her other hand in his. He stopped her there, waiting. 

“Everything alright?” he hummed. 

Raising her gaze to his, she breathed in deeply. 

The weather was good, it was the kind of weather sailors would thank the skies for. A few fluffy clouds floated far above the land and the water was calm. 

The princess gripped tighter onto his hands. With a nod, she felt the fear being washed away. Instead, the hollow in her chest was filled with excitement. 

“It seems like a yes,” the merman chuckled. 

The young lady let go of his hands, only to step closer to him and curl her fingers around his forearms. A warm touch, reassuring and so endearing. Rafayel felt the air get knocked out of his chest at that tender touch. 

“Can we go a little further?”

“Wherever you want, princess.”

And just like that, he guided her deeper and deeper into the water. At some point, he curled his arms around her waist and placed her arms around his neck. 

“Do you trust me?” he asked the moment a flicker of uncertainty flashed in her eyes. 

“I do,” came her immediate response. 

“Then hold onto me.” 

She did. The princess caressed his silky hair and got closer, their chests glued together. It lacked manners and courtesy, it lacked modesty, her wet clothes leaving little to the imagination. She could feel his body, every curve, every lean muscle. A light blush took over her cheeks, but happiness overturned the embarrassment.

She was in the sea. Swimming, almost, both of Rafayel's arms curled around her waist. He admired her like a precious gem, keeping her close, the warmth of her body seeping into his skin. 

“You're so beautiful like this,” he smiled gently. “Happy.”

He watched those beautiful eyes stare up at him with wonder and fire, face lit up with joy. She raised one of her hands to get the damp bangs out of his eyes, caressing his cheek in the process. Her hand settled on his neck and he shuddered at the touch. The scales on his neck were soft and ticklish, but he relished in the sensation. Rafayel leaned in, his forehead falling on her shoulder as he held her in his arms. 

Under the water, his tail flicked gently, keeping them at the surface. The merman stopped moving when she wrapped her arms better around his shoulders, leaving a gentle kiss behind his ear. There was a light scar there — she stared at it with worry. Without a second thought, she left another kiss. Rafayel squeezed her closer in their embrace. 

“I hope… I hope you feel it. My affection.”

Despite the innocence of her words, a slight blush creeped up her cheeks. The tips of his ears turned red. The tenderness didn't leave enough space for embarrassment. 

“All of it, princess,” he exhaled against her shoulder, his hot breath hitting her collarbone. 

One of his hands splayed over her shoulder blades, keeping her near. It wasn't a prison if she wanted to be there. 

Rafayel rubbed his nose against the base of her neck and her pulse quickened. With a flutter of her eyelashes, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to sink in that scorching feeling. 

VI. 

Her heart ached. Her soul shook with pain and her body trembled with anger. 

Her nineteenth birthday ceremony was supposed to be a thrilling event. To bring a smile on her face, a chance for her to forget a little about her duties and get some rest. Of course, a princess was always pampered, but she never took it for granted — thankfully, her parents had been down to earth and had taught her well. 

However, there was one thing they completely failed at, and that was letting their daughter be free. Not because she'd give up on her duties, but because she was a daughter before being a princess. 

Or so she hoped. The reality was that she's never been just a child, just a lady, but always a princess. A role, a pawn. A gift wrapped in the skin of a woman, because someone will inevitably take her hand and that someone will not be the one she loves. 

“Your father and I had to learn how to love each other as well, dear. There's no running from your fate and purpose. You can't be that selfish, can you?” her mother had kissed her cheek in the morning. 

A tear slipped down her cheeks, but there was no one to wipe it off. 

“Eric is a devoted prince and he's been trying to court you for the past month. Today is your birthday and he will attend this special event. It is time that you marry someone and I wholeheartedly believe he is the best option out there,” her father had reassured her in a firm tone.

Her heart clenched, but there was no one to hold her. 

“If you find another gentleman that suits your tastes better, we will not stop you. But, please, my dear, today is the day that you choose someone to spend the rest of your life with,” her mother had tried to soothe her. 

Her fingers curled into fists in her lap, because she ached for the time to pass by faster so she could see Rafayel. 

Eric had proven himself to be a true gentleman, charming even. He had kissed her hand with a polite bow and had bathed her in tender compliments. Just a few years older, he was mature and understanding. Patient and calm (and it didn't feel like a facade at all), his gift had been the most… gruesome of them all. Supposedly beautiful, but tragic. 

When he opened the small purple box, the princess was greeted by the most mesmerizing and well crafted necklace she's ever seen. However, horror struck her when her eyes laid upon the purple scale that shone in the lights of the ballroom. 

“It's a mermaid's.” 

It was astonishing how similar that color was to Rafayel's scales. 

Right then and there, she wanted to cry. She wanted to sink to her knees and wail, wished for that palace to crumble down into pieces. The young lady had rarely ever felt such pain, such grief pierce through her chest like a poisoned sword. 

She locked eyes with her parents. Her mother smiled and silently ushered her to accept the gift. 

“I have never seen such beautiful jewelry,” she lied through her teeth as she took the gift from his hand. (Their fingers touched and an uncomfortable shiver ran down her arms.) “I promise to treasure it. If it isn't too rude of me to say, I'd like to wear the jewelry my mother had gifted me tonight.” 

An easy excuse. He didn't bat an eye, no one did. 

*** 

Tears fell down her cheeks as she ran out of the palace. Most of the knights were busy at the gates; some of them were already drunk on rich wine. 

Stumbling on the dry sand in the dead of the night, she slipped out of her heels and rushed to the shoreline. Sobs got caught in her throat every time she breathed into the cold air. It bit at her skin, the thin silky dress on her doing nothing to hide her from the cold, but she cared not. Rushing behind the palace, next to the enormous rocks she always hid behind when she was meeting Rafayel, the young lady cursed her life. 

As expected, a special someone was basking in the light of the moon, in the flicker of the stars above. The night before she had told him she would be late to their usual meeting because of the ceremony and he had promised to wait for her. 

“Rafayel!” alarmed, she spoke his name. 

As he sat on the sand, the merman's head snapped to her and the wide smile on his lips shattered when he saw the tears on her cheeks, when he read the distress on her face. 

“My love, what happened?” 

Extending an arm towards her, he was delighted to feel the warmth of her hand against his. Before he could process it, she dropped into his embrace and curled her arms around his bare waist. 

“Cutie,” he whispered in a honeyed tone. Rafayel ran a hand over her back — it was bare as the dress exposed her soft skin. “I'm right here. I told you I'm stronger than the sailors, haven't I?” 

Dread rushed through his veins at his lover's display of vulnerability. Who could've brought her in such a state? What could've made her sob like that against his chest, what could've caused her such pain? 

“Rafayel,” she had whispered his name once more, voice cracking. 

The merman held her a little tighter as he kissed her forehead. With nimble fingers, he took off the intricate jewelry in her hair and laid them down. All of that just so he could run a hand through her hair, so he could feel her beneath his touch, so he could breathe her in. 

Her silent sobs came to a stop and only then had he cupped her face in his palms, raising her head. Beautiful glassy eyes looked at him with a sadness so deep, so intense it cut through his heart, the heart engraved with her name on it. 

“How come this beautiful birthday girl is crying, hm? What happened?” A soft tone that hid another million questions, a gentleness that disguised the heavy violence he was ready to inflict upon anyone that had brought her to such a state. 

Rafayel was not a forgiving creature. No, he never forgot and he rarely ever forgave, because there's no place for forgiveness when someone so loved by him is involved. Where there's hatred, there will be love, and where there's love, there's violence. 

“I have to get married,” she whispered. 

Fear cursed through her veins. Will he let go? Will he leave and go back to the sea, will he deprive her of his soothing touch, of his loving kisses? 

Rafayel hummed, lips pulled in a tight line. With a slight frown, he took a deep breath. His touch never wavered. (His love was stronger than a frivolous decision.) 

“You've always known you'd have to, didn't you?” 

“I'm sorry. I swear, I didn't mean to deceive you, I only meant to—”

“To love me?” Such a soft voice, such a beautiful word. 

Tears threatened to spill over again. Her nails left faint scratches against his pale skin, her body growing rigid beneath his hands. 

“Yes,” she breathed out. 

“I know.” 

He knows. He knew there hadn't been any malicious intent behind her actions, he knew she'd kissed him with the hope of never having to let go, he knew she loves him. Loves. When they had kissed, when they were holding at that very moment, when they would kiss for the last time. 

“You've said it dozens of times,” he brushed his thumb over her quivering chin. “Even when your lips didn't open, you've said it. When you kissed me, when you held me, when you cried with the fear of losing me.”

The princess's eyes widened in surprise. How could he—

“Whatever you feel when you think of me, I know it. I feel it too.” 

Rafayel took one of her hands in his own and placed it on his chest, over his heart. It was beating wildly in the cage of his ribs, it beat with the love he harbored for her, it beat with devotion and intensity. 

“That's how mermaids are. So when I tell you that I love you, it means you're the only one I've ever loved like this, it means I'll love you in every life to come. It means that my heart is forever yours, my princess.” 

Her eyes glistened. Watching his gaze get watery, she pressed her palm against his chest and leaned in, so that her forehead was glued to his. 

The Sea shook and its waves started to get violent. It hungrily lapped at the hem of her dress, at his tail. It was cold, but the warmth radiating between the two of them was enough. Rafayel held her against him, his grip secure and firm, unwavering. 

The stars dimmed a little, as if they, too, had teared up. 

VII. 

“You will marry this man!” 

The argument arised for the hundredth time. Her mother was exasperated because of her daughter's whims, as she's called them. 

“I don't find anything in him, mother,” the young lady almost whimpered. 

Her voice cracked at the mere thought of it, of having to let go of her merman and fall into another man's bedding—

No. Absolutely not. 

“You'll have to find something,” her mother's tone softened at the edges. 

The poor woman felt like she'd aged decades in the span of a few days, as she watched her daughter isolate herself more and more, always daydreaming, staring out the window and the mesmerizing sea. 

“Is there anything we can do to convince you? You are nineteen, my dear. You must marry, it's already—”

“The sea.”

The woman blinked. Her face hardened. 

“No. You know what happened last time.”

“Then I'm not marrying anyone.” Her daughter was not relenting. 

The air was tense. Her mother's hands trembled and she sat at the edge of the bed, sluggish. 

She had watched her husband come back from the sea without their daughter and the world had crumbled before her eyes. How could she allow such a thing to happen again? 

“Mother,” the princess pleaded. “One last time on the sea. And I promise, I'll marry anyone. Just one last time.” 

Because if they dared tie her down to a man on land, they'd strip her of her freedom to go on sea. They'd take away her life, they'd take away her air, they'd take away her lover. 

The queen curled her fingers into her lap. What could she do? 

“Fine. I'll… I'll talk with your father.”

***

“Rafayel,” she whispered, voice hoarse. 

“I'm here,” the siren hummed. 

He cupped her cheek with his cold palm and she closed her eyes. The color in her eyes had dimmed and he gulped down, watching as life slowly faded out of her. Slow, agonizing — with a wince, she gasped. 

The pain in her stomach won't stop anytime soon and they knew. She was bleeding, the lilac nuances of her dress tainted dark. The piece of wood was stuck in her flesh and Rafayel was too scared of hurting her. He didn't try to get it out, for she would bleed even heavier. 

Rafayel pressed his forehead against hers, his hair draping over the sides of their faces like a silky curtain. All he could see was her — and she wouldn't have it any other way. 

“You were a fool,” he scolded her in a pained tone. Anger slipped through. “I told you there would be a storm today.” 

“I know,” she smiled lovingly. 

It struck him. She did it and took full advantage of the information. What she's done—

A desperate plea, that's what her name sounded like from his lips. 

“You could've lived,” he hissed. 

“I would've died sooner or later,” she shook her head. 

“Marriage, that's all. Just on paper, if you were lucky, no expectations added.”

“That was just a dream, Raf,” she gulped, squeezing her eyes shut. 

“You would've lived.” This time, it came out like a sob. 

His pained expression mirrored hers. Tears burnt behind his eyes. She felt a tiny, round object fall on her cheek and roll down into the sand. 

“No, no.”

With all the strength she could muster, she cupped his face in her palms and stroked his cheeks with her thumbs. It was warm, and Rafayel had decided to let the warmth of her last moments be his doom. Resting his weight on his elbows, he placed one of his hands over hers, pressing her palm deeper into his skin. Tears that started out as droplets and quickly turned into pearls. 

They slipped through her fingertips. Some of them fell on her neck, others in the sand. 

“My love,” she stroked the skin under his eyes. “Don't cry.”

“You're dying,” and he's rarely ever sounded so revolted. The pink and purple in his eyes burnt — tears set aflame. 

“I'm sorry,” she bit onto her lower lip. 

He was panting heavily above her, shock coloring his features. Whenever he stared at the wound in her abdomen, he wanted to vomit. 

“Please, Sea Goddess, please do something,” he prayed in an ancient language. “I'll do anything, so please.” 

The princess couldn't do anything, except for watching her lover cry pearls. It hurt, the pain in her chest surpassing the one in stomach. 

The storm hadn't stopped; it got worse, rain pouring down heavily over Rafayel's back as he guarded her from the rainfall. So strong it could've wiped away the tattoos on his skin, was he not a child of the Sea. Thunder shook the ground. She pressed her fingers against his cheeks as her head throbbed. 

It didn't stop. Nothing had stopped; her bleeding, the rain, the pain in his throat and chest. It hurt and he wanted to turn back the time, back when he had decided to meet her again, so he could have avoided this tragedy. But he couldn't, not now, and not ever. 

The tip of his nose touched hers as he leaned in closer. The gesture sank slowly in the princess's tired mind. She turned her head to the side fast enough to avoid his lips. 

“What’re you doing?” she heaved. 

She didn't even dare look him in the eyes, gulping as she spoke. Rafayel didn't move away, tapping her cheek lightly. 

“I told you, didn't I? If I choose to love you once, I love you forever. And I'd rather die now, than by sorrow in a few weeks.” 

“Rafayel, what are you saying?” Oh, Gods, she wished so badly she could cry, but it hurt so much. 

“Sirens love once, my dear. Once for life.”

“Dying by sorrow,” she gasped. “What do you mean?”

“I won't make it past the second week after you pass away.”

It was weak, but she mustered the strength to hit his shoulder. Her stomach turned with pain, and the cries building up her throat tensed her muscles. A pained cry ripped from her mouth. 

“And you dare tell me now!?” 

Tensing, she groaned in pain. Clutching tightly onto his shoulder, she squirmed in pain. It hurt. It hurt so much. 

“Rafayel, please tell me you're lying.” A sob. 

She turned her head towards him again. His eyes only held pain. Another pearl slipped from between his eyelashes and rolled on the sand. 

“No,” she cried again. Sinking her nails in his shoulder, she left behind red scars. 

Red like the blood on her dress. Red like his love. 

Her other hand slid from his cheek to the back of his neck, curling into the strands of hair. Chest burning, body aching, something within her broke, right then and there. No amount of tears and rain could glue it back together. But it hurt Rafayel to watch her, so he kissed away the tears on her cheeks, breathing in her washed out perfume. 

“It wasn't your fault to begin with,” he reassured in a soft tone. “I promise.”

“No, no, it is,” she choked on her own words. 

Gently, he hushed. 

“It won't hurt for much longer. I know.”

The Sea had bonded them together since the first time he had accepted her in his heart. Rafayel kissed her temple with a soft hum in his throat. 

“I love you,” she whispered. 

His fingers curled in the sand, a pained sound ripping from his throat. At that very moment, his heart beat solely for those words. 

“Me too, lovely,” he pulled his lips in a thin line. “I love you too. You have no idea, do you?” 

With a gentle touch, he took one of her hands in his and leaned over again. That time, however, she didn't budge. Her gaze was torn between his lips and his red-shot eyes. 

“I'm sorry, Rafayel.”

“I'll curse this damned world to the ground,” came back his sour response. “May it burn. May no one ever know piece, may this storm never stop. May they never be happy.” 

With a soft shake of her head, she closed her eyes. Her tears blended with the droplets of water running down his hair. 

The siren hadn't stopped. He held her as close as he could, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. 

“May the Sea never grant anyone mercy again, never again, my love. For as long as there's a drop of water in this world, they will know pain greater than their bodies can contain, greater than their hearts can handle. May the world never forget the pain, may it be branded in their very beings. May it haunt them and their graves.”

Raising his head once again, he smiled sadly. 

“May each one of them hurt the same way we are hurting right now and a thousand times more.” 

Against better judgment, she understood. At that time, she understood what it meant to lose something greater than you can handle. She was not only losing him and her own very life, but the hope she had. All of it, dead, burnt. The hope of a better future was withering. (And it shall wither forever.)  

“May they hurt,” she continued in a soft voice. “For I have loved you.” 

“And I'll love you even in the times to come.”

When their lips touched, the world had stopped spinning for a moment. A gentle touch, soft like a feather, tears mixing together, love pouring down in waves. It didn't soothe away the pain; no, it ached and throbbed, but their heart still beat for one more time. 

One more time before his body began to twist and turn into seafoam, one more time before her eyes would never open up again. 

One last breath, shared with a sour smile. Foam sank in the material of her dress, but the Sea refused to let that corpse be seen by the humans, even if it was theirs to witness. With a powerful wave, She took her body away into the depths of the water. 

No amount of redemption could ever cure this mistake. 

For once, the Sea listened to Rafayel's prayers. She listened and granted his venomous wish. She understood his grief and deemed the curse as worthy to take care of — a curse that shall haunt everything and everyone. 

And the world has destroyed a chance for peace once again. They have unknowingly killed it, amongst the tears of a hopeful human and the bubbles of a siren's corpse. They have lost their chance for peace in between the lips of two lovers. 

And the lovers? Despite being filled with worries, their ghosts shall dance on the surface of the sea ‘till the world will meet its doom and a little more. 

A/N: I don't know if there things I should've changed or added, but after crying for half an hour I decided to post it just like that. I don't have any more energy to add filler scenes, like the one when she decides to throw herself in the water. Instead, I tried to add the information in their conversation, so it would still make sense.

[sossi-still-dreamin]

jjk fic recs

aaaalright it's jjk's turn. before i start lemme remind ya'll that almost every fic is a oneshot unless otherwise mentions, everythings on ao3 and they're all character x character!! i seriously read too much fanfiction but errr that's okAY!

inuokko (my fav)

all these salmon and you decided to catch feelings by orphan_account - 20k getting together fic with a LOT of inumaki pining and oblivious longing. basically yuuta comes back and inumaki is thRIstY in more than one way and our lovely lovebirds dance around each other completely ignorant for a while before they find their way to each other <3 featuring a lot of exasperated maki 10/10

subtle differences by botanicalbites - super fun oneshot where megumi asks yuuta how he understand inumaki so well eEEEEeee. lots of subtle inuokka and fun stuff, yuuta cHEATS, no not like that, more like a it's-not-fair-only-you-can-understand-toge sort of way 9/10

and every day, it's changed since then. by botanical bites - OKAY THIS ONE'S THE REAL DEAL, 12 ch long university au getting together slow burn fic where yuuta is a third year who had just taken a gap year and meets maki in the gym. gets casually beaten up, and maki invites him to a party where he meets a lil shy boy who immediately wins his heart. gojo is a lil freak hehe 11/10

things unsaid. by botanical bites - birthday sequel to fic above ^^^

sorry, i don't understand "konbu" by diggingupthegrave - crack fic oneshot where yuuta gets an alexa, one who can talk and tell jokes and do everything inumaki can't seem to, and toge gets ridiculously jealous :( so funny and fluffy 10/10

cursed by lichtstrahl - a quick ptsd established relationship fic that takes place uhhh post jjk 0 pre jjk s1 i think? or mostly at least. a fic about toge's past trauma and fear of water... yuuta helps him get over it 9/10

i'm alright if you're alright by anonymous - 14k getting together feelings realization fic from the pov of yuuta during the time gojo's sealed, a post shibuya incident fic where yuuta has to pick up the pieces and tries to secure a boyfriend at the same time... lots of hurt/comfort aND my fAVoRITE tAG au nobody dies! 9/10

satosugu/sugusato/gojo x get

life hack: gay thoughts can't catch u if u have limitless activated by sugurugetowo - the no. 1 fic in the ship and IT DEsERVES eVEry kUdOS, a gojo coming out getting together fic that that is super fluffy, au, super fluffy and fun ;) 10/10

a spin around the rumor mill by ilovegetosuguru - a fic from the pov of nobara where gojo is a professor obSeSSED with his husband but nobody knows who he is, and so nobara takes it upon herself to figure out... sO muCH crACK i lOVE iT 10/10

a story without a happy ending by ilovesugurugeto - suCH a SAD fluffy fic that ends with a shot of angst. a soulmate au where on one wrist is the name of your soulmate and on the other is the name of your greatest enemies... geto has gojo's name on both T-T 10/10

'cause every now and then i fall a bit behind (everytime i stare into your eyes) by flowercitti - a sweet fic about geto's love for gojo's six eyes, and realization of how much his eyes actually hurt him... a story of how gojo's gets his glasses! a confessions fic with a side of hurt/comfort

guard down by illicitly - a slightly nsfw fic but honestly you can just skip the end and this is totally worth reading, a oneshot of touch-starved gojo (one of the best tropes ever). gojo hasn't been touched in years and geto is begging to ;) 9/10

how many shots does it take for us to get to the center of our relationship problems? by ilovegetosuguru - a crack fic featuring itafushi about the two ships playing truth or drink, super fluffy and this will guarantee you smile so please read! 10/10

itafushi

don't tell a soul by cursedwritings - a soulmate au fic with soulmate identifying marks featuring a lot of oblivious itadori and emotionally constipated megumi, quite a bit of crack, and a lOt of fluff! solid read for any drunk fanfiction diving 10/10

the smell of your hoodie by mustardleaf - crack fic with a side of second hand embarrassment and a lot of megumi suffering. aka itadori stays over at megumi's and megumi tries to hide that small fact, gojo gives no mercy. none. at all. 10/10

past preferences by botanicalbites - established relationship itafushi where itadori asks for megumi's first crush... megumi's crush for yuuta is revEaLED!!! mwahahahaha, crack fic because this ship is too fluffy! 9/10

these fics were so fun to read aND i HAVE MORE! so lmk if ya'll want more bc i am mORE than willing to share my wealth (no gatekeeping!)

enjoy! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Left on My Doorstep

by cryptidcookies23 Bruce gets a last second call from the neighbors about watching their son for the weekend. Alfred answers the door to a four year old Tim Drake surrounded by his personal belongings but all alone. Bruce can't help but think of the boy as his already. Words: 2640, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Gen Characters: Tim Drake (DCU), Janet Drake, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth Relationships: Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Batfamily Members & Tim Drake (DCU) Additional Tags: Batfamily (DCU), Kids batfamily, Kid Tim Drake (DCU), Good Parent Bruce Wayne, Bad Parents Jack Drake and Janet Drake, Child Abandonment, Child Neglect, Kid everybody, except Bruce and Alfred, Tim Drake Joins the Batfamily Early (DCU), everyone joins the batfamily early, Damian is like between one and two years old in this so he's mostly silent except babbling, Questionable baby acquisition, is it kidnapping if the child is abandoned at your doorstep?, that's for the wayne family lawyers to figure out, Tim talks with a lisp, mostly because he's four and missing a tooth, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Family Feels, Angst with a Happy Ending, Tim Drake Needs a Hug (DCU), Tim Drake Gets a Hug (DCU), Chaotic baby bats, Shopping, the importance of a comfort object, Plot? No plot just vibes and implied sad background shit, DC Stands for Disregard Canon (DCU) via https://ift.tt/zcoB8eF

[tojbnuy]

boyfriend!toji who doesn’t know why but he feels this weird jealousy everytime he sees you meet your friends and greet them all with a big hug. you never did that with him. you relationship was still fairly new to the both of you, but you kissed you fucked you even held hands sometimes when walking around. but, what toji was now realizing, was that he wanted a hug. well, he wanted a hug from You. not a casual little hug, a hug. holding each other. he didn’t know how to broach the subject without sounding needy and like the complete opposite of how he usually acts. he had never cared about this kinda stuff with other people, he’d never experienced it growing up and he thought he could live without it. until you. until you showed him that wanting to be held was normal. he’d been thinking about it for a while until one night, as the two of you got ready for bed it simply slipped out.

‘how come you don’t hug me?’

immediately you stopped plaiting your hair and turned to him with a shocked look.

‘what?’

‘how come you don’t hug me? like when you see your friends or you say bye you hug them. you don’t hug me.’

as soon as he said it he felt stupid. a grown man like him, older than you and he was sat here asking for a fucking hug. what if you turned the question around and said ‘well you don’t hug me’ what would he say? that i’ve never done that before sorry i don’t know how? his thoughts came to a stop when he felt a small hand grab his own larger one.

‘i- toji im so sorry. i’m sorry i didn’t think that was something you wanted.’

fuck now he’s made you feel bad.

‘nah doll you don’t have to say sorry, its nothing let’s just go to bed’

‘no toji please. let’s talk about it.’

you lifted the blanket and made your way over to his side of the bed so you could sit face to face. everything about you was so soft, so kind. such a complete contrast to himself. he was panicking, he didn’t do stuff like this, never talked about stuff like this.

‘honestly toji, i really just thought you weren’t a touchy person. i’m sorry for just assuming especially considering everything you’ve been through,’

‘no please doll. i wasn’t trying to blame you for anything. i just’

his palms were actually sweating, but your face. god your darling sweet face, looking at him like he hung up the stars in sky. like every word out of his mouth meant the world to you. you would wait for him to get the words out no matter how long he took.

‘i don’t know to be honest. you’re right i’m not a touchy person i’ve never really hugged anyone. but i want that. with you. and im sorry, i should be the one to initiate it i just didn’t really know how doll.’ his voice was so quiet, just a rough whisper.

he looked up to stare into your glassy eyes when you leaned in and kissed him. a small whisper of a kiss.

‘can i hug you?’ you said with your lips pressed against his.

he knew you knew he would prefer not to dwell on it.

and then he wrapped his arms around your back so tightly like he was showing the universe just how bad he needed you. he pulled you into his lap and let his cheek fall to your shoulder. he felt your arms wrap around his neck and you fingers stroking the hairs at his nape.

neither of you spoke, you simply sat and held each other and made a silent promise to maintain the closeness from today onwards.

‘thank you for telling me toji. you big baby.’

‘yeah that’s enough. time for bed.’

your giggle was music to his ears.

[urfriendlywriter]

Angsty Prompts

(feel free to use, tag me when yall write!!! mwah xoxo)

"You're okay, look at me--yes, my love, you're okay. I'm here now."

tight hugs, their hands cradling you and your heart close to theirs.

Their heart shattering with every ragged breath u take and every sob that escapes your lips

"Do u know.. it's incredibly brave of you to.." They pause, gently rubbing the tears stains off your cheeks, "Be vulnerable with me? It's my honor, to protect you, and be a safe place for you."

being hospitalized, and waking up to find them curled at the foot of your bed, holding onto ur hand.

Voice breaking as they whisper, their hand tightening around yours, "I-I thought I lost you.."

pressing your lips their forehead, as they break apart in your arms, clinging onto you. eyes full of pain, tears and rare vulnerability that bares open their entire being to you

^ caressing their face, unable to know what to say or do but whispering, "Let me hold you through this all. It's okay to cry, my love.." and they completely shatter.

Them curling up into ur chest, needing comfort, security and strength

"I'm so sorry--" "No, no, no. You did ur best, my soul, i---i am the one sorry."

[vanteguccir]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤLEFT ALONE * MATT STURNIOLO

SUMMARY　::　where, after a difficult week, Matt takes out all his stress on Y/N, causing great damage to their relationship.

FEATURING　Matt Sturniolo x reader　REQUESTED?　yes.

WARNINGS　::　fighting, yelling, cursing, dark thoughts. ANGST!

AUTHOR'S NOTE　::　that is my work, I DON'T authorize any form of plagiarism; copy, "inspiration" or translation! | english isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

"I don't know where you want to get with that, Matt." Y/N sighed, closing her eyes tightly for a few minutes before opening them again, keeping them fixed on the road in front of the car. She had her head resting on her right hand, and her elbow braced next to the passenger door window.

Matt, as usual, had gone to pick up Y/N from work after her shift, but he was surprised to have to wait for an hour in the car for his girlfriend to finally be released, as her boss had demanded that she had to work overtime.

Despite being wrong, Matt felt furious.

His week was more than hectic with the start of sales of the 6 million clothing collection, as he and his brothers had to spend hours autographing photos of themselves that would go with each order. In addition to - by Nick and Chris's choice -, the three of them were the ones who hand-packed the first ones, which resulted in Matt having to stay awake until late hours, and waking up early everyday to fulfill his other tasks.

With all that, having to sit in his car for an hour, with only his phone and in such an uncomfortable seat seemed to increase his irritation, and he couldn't help but start an argument with his girlfriend, feeling like a pressure cooker about to explode.

"I'm just saying that you don't stop at home anymore. You just work all day, as if it was your number one priority in life. And now you've started this nonsense of working overtime!" Matt accused, gesturing exaggeratedly with his right hand while keeping his left one on the steering wheel.

"It's not like I asked to work overtime, Matt! You and your brothers have worked in a grocery store once, you know how it works-"

"Don't you dare bring up Chris and Nick's name. They have nothing to do with your lack of responsibility within a relationship." The boy took his eyes off the road momentarily, giving her a cold look that sent shivers running up her spine.

"Matt, you're being ridiculous! I understand your week has been tiring-" Matt cut the girl off again, shaking his head nervously.

"No, you don't know nothing, Y/N!" His tone was arrogant, a tone that the girl didn't remember ever hearing from him. "I'm exhausted because of my own work, and I still have to come and pick you up every day! And now you make me stay stuck in this car for an hour, waiting for Miss Perfect here to decide to leave." His voice gradually increased in volume.

Y/N could already feel the sensations of the ugly crying that was about to come, taking a deep breath and counting to 10 in her head.

"Then don't pick me up anymore, Matt! You were willing to come every day after my work just until some days ago, but if it's so hard for you now, don't come anymore." Y/N replied, her tone lower than her boyfriend's but still carrying much stress.

"How can you be so ungrateful?" Matt shouted, slamming his hands against the steering wheel violently.

"Matt, look, I'm sorry- Hey, keep your eyes on the road!" Y/N ignored the pang she felt in her heart at the brunette's words, fear rising through her veins as she saw the car move further away from the main road, as a result of his lack of attention.

Her eyes were wide as she raised her hands, ready to grab the steering wheel if necessary.

"You know what? I'm done." Matt spoke through gritted teeth, turning the car sharply to the right until it stopped on the side of the road.

"What are you doing? Matt?" Y/N asked, her breath coming out shakily as her eyes traveled down the dark, deserted street, to her boyfriend's face, which seemed to be covered in a gray cloud of hate.

"I'm done with this. If you don't want to take responsibility for your own mistakes and don't understand the seriousness of this relationship like I do, then maybe it's not worth the effort." He unlocked the doors, crossing his arms and keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his nostrils flaring as a result of his hard breathing.

"M-Matt, don't do that." The girl tried, swallowing hard.

She reached out her hand towards him with the intention of gently touching his arm, but Matt pulling away roughly, as if she were a plague, made her stop abruptly for a few seconds, her hand slowly lowering.

“I need to think, Y/N.” He shook his head, resting his elbows on the steering wheel and laying his head in his hands, closing his eyes tightly. "Get out." He demanded sharply.

Y/N's eyes widened, her heart stopping momentarily.

"W-what? Are you crazy? Look at the time, Matt. How am I going to-"

"Get out." Matt interrupted her, not once looking up. His tone was flat and cold.

Y/N looked at him for a few more seconds, as if waiting for him to apologize and say it was all a sick joke. But that never happened.

She quickly pulled the car handle, grabbing her purse and getting out of the passenger seat. The cold night air hit her body with force as if needles were piercing her skin, eliciting a strong shiver from her members.

Her hand pushed the door hard, closing it, the sound echoing like a dull thud. Her eyes watched the car restart not even a second later, screeching away.

Y/N remained still for a few seconds - or minutes -, watching Matt's car disappear into the distance, her hope of him turning around slowly disappearing.

"Come back." Her voice sounded so broken, just like her insides. "P-please."

She spun around, taking note of the street completely deserted of cars or humans, the only source of life being the streetlights.

The girl quickly hooked her purse onto her right shoulder, crossing her arms tightly around her torso and beginning the steps of the long walk she would have to take to get home - if she even could call that place her home anymore. The possibility of Matt kicking her out after the events made her legs tremble.

Her throat started to hurt from the crying that she was still holding back. The emotions rising in her chest were like bile in her throat; It burned and hurt like never before. Her heart felt like it was being crushed by a human hand, and it didn't take long for loud sobs to escape her lips, her eyes stinging from the hot tears in contact with the freezing wind.

It was minutes of walking without stopping, her feet ached from the tension in her body, a result of the intense cold and the several times she turned back, checking if she wasn't being followed.

The familiar street soon took over her blurred vision, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. Thick tears were still rolling from her eyes, but her sobs had stopped, being replaced by small sniffles.

Y/N shuffled down the sidewalk, passing the houses neighboring hers, before finally stopping in front of her front door. Her hands, practically frozen by the cold, opened her purse in a quick movement, rummaging through the smaller pockets, looking for the key.

She closed her eyes tightly when she couldn't find it, vaguely remembering just throwing it in the glove compartment of Matt's car that morning since she was in such a rush and still eating her breakfast.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she fished out her phone, cursing under her breath when she noticed that the battery was almost all gone. Just her lucky day.

She quickly unlocked the screen, going into her contact list and clicking on Chris's one. The boy answered on the second ring, surprising Y/N.

"Y/N? Thank God, where are you guys?" Chris's voice sounded relieved. Y/N frowned, her mind creating thousands of horrible scenarios as to why Matt hadn't gotten home yet.

The path she took, which took her almost 30 minutes of walking - or more, since she was walking slowly due to the cold - would not even take 15 minutes by car.

"C-Chris, open the door for me. Please." Her voice was broken, her teeth chattering as her body felt the temperature drop even more now that she stood still.

"Are you out there? Alone?" He asked exasperatedly. The sound of his bed shuffling sounded from behind, probably the result of him getting up.

"Yeah... Just hurry, please." Y/N repeated, her tone completely vulnerable.

The line went dead at the same instant. Her right hand - which was holding the device - moved away from her ear quickly, her eyes only finding the negative battery icon.

She threw her phone into her purse again, her eyes prickling with new tears that wanted to flow. Her mind created terrible thoughts about herself and her day, and all she wanted most was to sleep and perhaps never wake up again.

The sound of keys sounded on the other side of the door seconds before it was abruptly opened. Chris's figure appeared, his wide eyes carrying immense concern as they roamed Y/N's body, seeming to search for any injuries.

"Oh my God, you're freezing." He confirmed when he noticed her shaking, gently pulling her inside, before closing the door again. He rubbed his hands over Y/N's arms, which, even though they were covered by the fluffy jacket, were still extremely cold.

The warm air from the heater inside the house welcomed the girl's body gracefully, surrounding her like a thin blanket. She sighed, closing her eyes momentarily.

"Where the hell is Matt? I thought he was going to pick you up." Chris asked exasperatedly, helping her take her purse off her shoulder, hanging it on the rack next to the door.

Y/N felt her eyes fill with tears again at the mention of her boyfriend's name. An ugly sound of choked sobs escaping her throat caught Chris's attention, who stopped his movements and turned his eyes to her.

"Oh no, what did he do?" His tone was gentle as he approached, pulling her into a tight hug as he watched her shake her head in denial repeatedly, her lips trembling. "Let's go to my room, you need a hot shower and fresh clothes."

Chris slowly stepped away, keeping one of his hands on Y/N's shoulders, guiding her through the kitchen and down the stairs towards his own room.

The door was already open - being left like that when the boy rushed after receiving her call -, the two of them just passing through it before Chris closed it, keeping the hot air trapped between the four walls.

"Go take a shower, I'll get you some new clothes from your closet, okay? There's a clean towel in the cabinet under the sink." The boy indicated, watching his sister-in-law nod weakly, a low "thank you" escaping her lips before she could enter the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

It didn't take long for Y/N to step out again, already dressed in the Fresh Love sweatshirt set that Chris placed on the sink - just by putting his arm between the door and the frame.

Even though she wanted to melt like hot water and go down the drain just like her tears that fell imperceptibly, her feet hurt too much to support her weight for even another minute, begging for a rest.

Chris was sitting on the right side of the bed, his back against the headboard and his legs above the duvet, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone, seeming to be waiting for her.

The sound of the bathroom door closing attracted his attention, and he quickly locked his cell, putting it on the bedside table before tapping the empty space next to him, silently calling Y/N to sit there.

The girl walked to the indicated side, lifting the duvet and sitting on the mattress, staying in the same position as Chris, but with her legs covered.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" He asked calmly, watching her closely, trying to read her expressions, but seeing only an ocean of pain in every line of her face and eyes.

"Matt left me in the middle of the road." She swallowed hard, shaking her head while closing her eyes tightly. "We had a fight. My boss demanded from me to work overtime and I forgot to tell Matt, so he ended up waiting for me for an hour in his car. He was tired from the day and the week, and I think the stress built up on both our sides, and he just started yelling at me." Y/N shrugged, sniffing momentarily, trying to hold back her tears.

"Wait, he left you in the middle of the road, alone and in the cold? To come home walking?" Chris's eyes widened, a look of disbelief occupying his blue orbs as he tried to process the information.

"Yeah." The girl's voice sounded low and vulnerable, her head lowering and her eyes focusing on her hands above the duvet, feeling embarrassed by her boyfriend's actions. "I tried to intervene at some point, but he was so mad." She took a deep breath, biting her bottom lip hard, the pain almost numb next to the one she felt in her heart. "I don't know what I did wrong, Chris." Her voice broke, a dry sob escaping her throat.

"I'm so sorry for my brother's actions, Y/N." Chris sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I promise you did absolutely nothing wrong. Don't let those thoughts get the best of you."

"I just... Maybe I'm not really giving our relationship enough credit. Or maybe I'm not enough to fit into Matt's life patterns and busy days." She douted, playing with her fingers as a nervous act.

"Why don't you try to get some sleep? I imagine how tired you are and it's late. We can talk about this tomorrow, but try to clean your mind for now, okay?" He suggested.

Chris helped her lay down after receiving a nod of agreement, adjusting the duvet over her body. The girl moved her head, laying it on his left thigh, seeking comfort. He quickly put his hand on her hair, stroking the area calmly, lulling her into sleep.

After making sure she was already dreaming, the boy moved her slowly - so as not to wake her -, laying her completely on the mattress before getting up. He sat down in his gaming chair, crossing his legs on the seat.

Chris closed his eyes tightly, massaging his temples, trying to reduce the tension there. His eyes remained on Y/N's figure, caring for her sleep like a worried older brother, longing to have the power to erase the entire event from the girl's memory.

Matt would hear from him when he arrived.

© vanteguccir

[bitxhy-bookworm]

Sevika x Sensitive!Reader

Cw: slight anxiety attack, crying, hurt/comfort, swearing , established relationship

(also i didn’t proofread this- sorry)

It started out as one joke. Lighthearted and teasing, you even let out a geniune laugh. However one joke became two, until your whole friendgroup seems to be adding in their own version of the joke. Suddenly it didn’t feel like a tease, it felt like an attack. An attack on you, on the self esteem you work so hard to build. Next thing you know you’re not sitting at the last drop giggling with your friends, now you’re a kid again and everyone’s laughing at you for some joke you’ll never be apart of. You know this is crazy, it’s not half as big of a deal as you’re making it in your head but the sinking pit in your stomach and the pain in your throat make it feel like your fighting a war. And you are losing…terribly. Despite the feeling of all your insecurities attacking you at once, you keep an amused look on your face the whole night. It’s not everyone else’s fault you can’t handle a little joke, why ruin the mood cause you’re a crybaby?

You walk into you and Sevika’s shared apartment later that night, exhausted and ready to collapse. You kick your shoes off and allow your mind to relax or try to relax. Instead the only thing on repeat is that joke, was it a joke? Do they actually feel that way and tried to hide it with humour? You’ve never been great with expressions and social cues, maybe they all secretly hate you and this is their way of showing it? You feel hot tears begin to fall down your face and your chest starts to feel a little too tight. You hardly notice the sound of footsteps as you press your back against the door, trying to find anything to support you as your legs start to shake.

“Baby?…” a voice calls out, Sevika, her voice tired and groggy. God you probably woke her up with all this crying. “Oh love, what’s going on?” The sound of concern is evident in her voice, when you finally open your eyes to look at her all you can feel is guilt. She looks like she’s just woken up and here you are sobbing on the floor…the thought makes you cry harder. Why can’t you just pull it together already? You feel her arms wrap around you as she hushes you soothingly, “It’s alright, beautiful. I’m here, you’re safe.” She repeats this phrase along with a few more loving affirmations as she feels your body begin to relax and your breathes return to normal. She pulls away after a few more moments, giving you some space to collect your thoughts. You look at Sevika, then down at the floor slightly embarassed.

This isn’t the first time she’s seen you like this, living together has it’s ups and downs and you’ve both seen your fair share of breakdowns. Despite this, you can’t help but feel like you were doing too much. “Sorry about all that, I dont…i dont know where that came from..” You say, hoping that you can just brush past it fat chance.

Sevika looks completely unconvinced, “Sweetheart, that didn’t come out of nowhere.” She leaves no room for arguement, there is no malice or anger but no humour either. She says your name softly, gazing at you with a pleading look in her eyes. “Hun..you’ve been doing so much better lately, especially with talking these things out. We don’t need to talk about it right now but dont shut me out..please” goddamn it, that face, her voice..you never stood a chance. “Ok…but can I change first? I need to get out of these clothes” You say, breaking eye contact before her eyes make you do anything else.

You crawl into bed with sevika a few moments later, now in much more comfortable clothes. Sevika places her book down and turns her attention to you, at first you say nothing opting to curl into her arms instead. She smiles at how adorable you look, much more relaxed and those pesky tears tracks gone. You tell her everything, the joke and how it felt. The insecurity that followed and how it became too much too quickly. Her heart breaks when you look at her and ask if she feels the same way, “I won’t be mad if you do, i just..I feel stupid I guess. Like there’s this big joke everyone but me is in on…” you trail off as you feel her grip tighten, as if she could lose you to your own thoughts. “Baby look at me,” you do.

“None of that is true, not even close and none of your friends feel that way. I know you don’t want to kill the mood but you have to say something when you feel like this, I know they wouldn’t want you feeling this way either.” Her tone is firm but gentle, you know she’s right.

“I know, it’s just scary..I don’t want to make everyone stop having fun to cater to my fragile ass ego-“ “you are not fragile, not even close. But you are human, and humans feel and you feel especially deep. That’s nothing to be ashamed or embarassed of.” She takes her hand and places it on your chest “I love your heart, you’re so passionate and empathetic, so what if you cry a little harder or get worked up a little easier? That doesn’t make you fragile, it makes you extraordinary.” You feel tears well up in your eyes and you bury your face in the crook of her neck, “god Sev, quit sweet talking me or I’m gonna start crying again.” You say, giggling as she hugs you tightly one more time.

“Cry all you need baby, I’ve got you”

[kaayyyys]

Hey there! I would like to ask for a request? I was wondering if you could do a Daryl angst. So it’s set in the prison because I like just like Daryl when they were back there. (Sorry for my bad English, it’s not my first language) so what I was thinking is that fem reader has a crush on Daryl so she’s always like around him and wanting to help him especially after they left Merle on the roof. Daryl then lashed out at her for being too clingy and needy which she then tearfully apologised and started avoiding him, when he’s around her, she would lower her head and scurried away from him. He felt bad for lashing out at her so he planned on apologising when she came back from a supply run but when she did came back, she is unconscious (or dead, up to you :3) because they were attacked by a random group, Rick held her in his arms while yelling for Hershel. The rest I’ll leave it to you, tag me if you’re finished. Thank you!❤️

Oh my god . I absolutely love this request. Sorry it took so long I wanted this to be as good as I could .

@yanokokuboo

Would you like a part two ?

The prison loomed against the Georgia sky, a stark monument to survival in a world overrun. Inside, amidst the ever-present tension and the ghosts of the fallen, a different kind of battle was being fought – the silent, internal struggle of a heart yearning for a connection it wasn’t sure it deserved. (Y/N) watched Daryl Dixon from across the yard, her gaze drawn to the lean strength of his form as he sharpened arrows, his brow perpetually furrowed in concentration. She’d admired him from afar since they’d arrived, captivated by his quiet intensity, his unwavering loyalty, and the aura of untamed wildness that clung to him.

After Merle had been left on that rooftop in Atlanta, something inside Daryl had seemed to break. He became even more withdrawn, more guarded. (Y/N), her heart aching for him, found herself drawn to his side, offering silent support, a comforting presence in the storm raging within him. She’d bring him water, offer to clean his crossbow, or simply sit nearby, mending clothes, the quiet rhythm of her needle a counterpoint to the turmoil radiating from him.

She knew he was a loner, a man who preferred the company of silence and the hunt to the chatter of others. But she hoped, foolishly perhaps, that her presence was a comfort, a small flicker of light in his darkness. She’d seen glimpses of a softer side – the way he protected Carol, the gruff tenderness he showed to Judith. Maybe, just maybe, she could break through the walls he’d built so high, brick by painful brick.

One sweltering afternoon, after a particularly grueling scavenging run, (Y/N) found Daryl cleaning his crossbow in the shade of the watchtower. She approached hesitantly, offering him a canteen of water. "Here," she said softly, "you must be thirsty."

Daryl snatched the canteen, his movements jerky, his eyes dark. He took a long swig, then slammed the canteen down on the concrete. "Why are you always around?" he growled, his voice rough. "You're like a damn shadow, always followin' me. I don't need babysitting."

The words hit (Y/N) like a physical blow. The air in her lungs seemed to evaporate, leaving her gasping for breath. She stared at him, bewildered and hurt. "I… I just wanted to help," she stammered, her voice trembling.

"Help?" He scoffed, a harsh, humorless sound. "I don't need your help! I don't need anyone's help! Just leave me alone!"

The anger in his voice was like a physical force, pushing her back, shrinking her spirit. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. This wasn’t the Daryl she’d imagined, the one she’d built up in her heart. This was a raw, wounded animal, lashing out in pain.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, the words catching in her throat. "I... I didn't mean to bother you."

Turning, she fled, the tears streaming down her face, a silent testament to her shattered hopes. She didn't stop running until she reached her cell, collapsing on the thin mattress, the sobs wracking her body.

From that day forward, (Y/N) made a conscious effort to avoid Daryl. The hurt was too raw, the rejection too painful. She still admired him, still cared for him, but she couldn't bear to be near him, to risk another outburst, another shattering of her fragile heart. She focused on helping the others, tending to the garden, learning to defend herself. She tried to bury her feelings deep, to convince herself that what she felt for Daryl was just a fleeting infatuation, a silly crush.

Days turned into weeks. The prison life settled into a grim routine. (Y/N) noticed Daryl watching her, his gaze lingering longer than necessary. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes – regret, perhaps? – but she quickly looked away, unwilling to reopen the wound he’d inflicted.

Daryl, meanwhile, was wrestling with his own demons. He’d pushed (Y/N) away, lashed out at her kindness, and the guilt was eating at him. He saw her helping others, her laughter echoing in the yard, but her eyes never met his. She was polite, distant, a ghost of the girl who had once shadowed him with quiet devotion. He missed her presence, the unspoken understanding that had passed between them. He missed her.

He knew he had to apologize. He had to tell her he hadn’t meant to hurt her, that his anger was a reflection of his own inner turmoil, not a judgment of her. He planned to talk to her when she returned from the next supply run, to swallow his pride and beg for her forgiveness.

(Y/N) volunteered for the supply run, needing to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the prison, to breathe fresh air, to feel the sun on her skin. She walked alongside Glenn and Maggie, the familiar weight of her rifle a comfort. The run was uneventful, but the emotional toll of the past weeks had taken its toll. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

On the way back, they were ambushed. A small group, desperate and crazed, emerged from the woods, brandishing knives and makeshift weapons. Glenn and Maggie fought bravely, but (Y/N), weakened and distracted, was quickly overwhelmed. She screamed as one of the attackers pinned her to the ground, the harsh fabric of his clothes scraping against her skin.

Hours stretched into an eternity. As dusk began to settle, casting long shadows across the prison yard, the gate creaked open. But it wasn't you who stumbled through. It was Rick, his face grim, his arms cradling a limp figure.

A strangled gasp escaped Daryl's lips as he recognized you. Your face was bruised and bloodied, your clothes torn. You were unconscious, your breathing shallow and ragged. Tears streamed down your face even in your sleep.

“Hershel!” Rick bellowed, his voice laced with panic. “Get Hershel, now!”

A wave of nausea washed over Daryl. He pushed through the gathering crowd, his heart pounding in his chest. What happened? Who did this to you? He saw the torn fabric of your shirt, the angry welts on your arms, and a white-hot rage ignited within him.

"What the hell happened?" Daryl roared, his voice a feral snarl. He grabbed a nearby survivor by the collar, his grip tight. "Who did this to her?"

The survivor stammered, "They… they were ambushed. A group of them… tried to take their supplies."

Daryl shoved him aside, his eyes fixed on your still form in Rick's arms. "Damn it!" he screamed, the raw anguish tearing through him. "Damn it all to hell!"

He watched as Hershel rushed forward, his face etched with concern. They gently lowered you onto a makeshift cot in the infirmary. Daryl hovered, his body trembling with a mixture of fear and fury.

"Get out of the way, Daryl," Rick ordered, his voice firm. "Hershel needs room to work."

"No!" Daryl refused, his voice defiant. "I ain't goin' nowhere."

He watched as Hershel examined your wounds, his movements swift and efficient. The silence in the room was broken only by your labored breathing and the occasional murmur from Hershel.

Daryl felt a wave of guilt wash over him, so potent it almost brought him to his knees. He had pushed you away, rejected your kindness, and now… now you were lying here, broken and bleeding. He had been so consumed by his own pain that he hadn't seen the danger lurking around you. He had failed to protect you.

"This is my fault," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "All my fault."

Rick placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip surprisingly gentle. "Don't do that, Daryl. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was!" Daryl snapped, shaking off Rick's hand. "I should have… I should have been there. I should have protected her."

He paced the small room, his frustration building with each passing moment. “Why wasn’t I there? Why did I let her go on that run?”

He knew, deep down, that his anger wasn't directed at Rick or Hershel or even the scavengers who had attacked you. It was directed at himself. He had pushed you away, silenced his growing feelings, and now he might lose you.

As Hershel continued to work, Daryl remained by your side, his eyes never leaving your face. He brushed a stray strand of hair from your forehead, his fingers trembling. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: he wouldn't let you go again. He would protect you, even if it meant facing his own demons head-on. He would spend the rest of his days trying to earn your forgiveness, to prove that he was worthy of your love. He just needed you to wake up

[lilyevansisamilf7]

Another Life - Spencer Reid

Pairing - Spencer Reid x Fem Reader (Non Specified but imagined fem)

Warnings - not spell checked, character death??, cheating, all cm trigger warnings, Maeve, mentions of eating disorders addiction and suicidal thoughts.

Summary - You we’re ready to marry him, he was ready to leave.

———————————————————————

You fell in love four years ago. Budding new SSA Y/L/N and the marvellous Doctor Reid, the BAUs power couple, attached at the hip - perfect.

And perfect it was, you and spencer had been through everything together. Case after case, his addiction, your own struggles with disordered eating, and everything inbetween, so when he started being distant, and getting migraines, you were sure you could help. You found him the best doctors, geneticists, anything and anyone.

You never thought he’d fall for Maeve Donovan, his geneticist, i mean how could you, you’d seen the ring. He was going to propose, or so you thought, a beautiful amethyst ring hidden in the blazer pocket of his work suit. Not your favourite crystal but you’re sure he had a reason for picking it, he always did.

So you began planning.

And you planned and planned until it suddenly didn’t feel like he was going to propose anymore.

“Spence?” You call out from the kitchen where you’re making dinner.

“Yeah love?” He walks in.

“I was just thinking, do you ever think about marrying me?”

“Well yeah in the future when we’ve settled a bit more, i’m happy how we are right now”

“Oh” You sigh, “What about that ring in your blazer pocket? What’s that for then?”

Silence. You know what that means.

“Is she pretty?” He looks down at his shoes.

Your turn off the stove and wipe your hands on your trousers.

“It’s Maeve isn’t it? The doctor?” You giggle sadly “You always liked them smart”

“Y/n…”

“Does she make you happy?”

“Not like you do”

You scoff. He looks at you confused.

You pick at your nails, crying slightly. “You were the one for me Spence, and I just want you to be happy, I thought that was with me but i guess not anymore” You shrug before grabbing your bag.

“What are you doing?” He try’s to grab your hands.

“Im going to stay with Garcia tonight” You reach the door, “Maybe you can invite Maeve for dinner, i made your favourite. I’ll be back tomorrow to gather my things”

“Please don’t do this..”

“Goodbye Spencer Reid”

———————————————————————

The past month had been hell for you, you didn’t tell anyone the real reason you and Spencer split up, not wanting to ruin his friendships with the rest of the team, but you hadn’t been doing well. You’d lost a lot of weight, stopped going out with the team, and started throwing yourself into your work.

It was plain as day that you were heartbroken.

So when Spencer came in, seeking help for Maeve, you were advised to steer clear of the case. But you were determined to show everyone you were fine.

You worked the hardest on the case and found Diane first, and joined spencer on retrieving Maeve.

You walk in unarmed, as requested by Diane, and see Maeve being held by gunpoint.

“Diane, right?” You try and sound as calm as possible, “I’m Y/n”

“Stay back or I shoot her!”

“She rejected you didn’t she? Your paper? I read it and it was good, just needed a little more evidence”

“What evidence?”

“Someone who wasn’t your parents, who wanted to die”

You breath in

“I can help Diane, you need someone like me, you can kill me”

“You’re trying to trick me!” She exclaims.

“i’m not, Maeve doesn’t want to die, do you Maeve”

She begins to cry begging for her life.

“And you do?”

“I’ve got nothing left to live for”

You look to Spencer sadly.

“Think about it Diane, this gives you the evidence you need” You smile.

“You’re trying to trick me!”

“Fine, I guess Dr Donovan was right” I fake sigh and get a little closer, “You aren’t worth the time or effort”

In an instant, Maeve is thrown to the floor and Diane grabs and shoots you both in the stomach.

You fall to the ground.

Spencer instantly runs to you, cradling you in his arms, your breaths shallow and weak.

“Is Maeve okay?”

Astounded at your care he says “Please don’t worry about her, save your strength, the medics are on their way”

“I don’t think i have the time Spence”

“Please baby” He whispers.

“Are you happy Spence?”

“She’s not you…”

He holds you tight and you reach up to cradle his cheek with your hand, “Please let yourself be happy” A metallic taste covering the inside of your mouth.

As he’s holding you he can feel how much smaller you’ve become. “You’ve not been taking care of yourself” He begins to cry

“It’s not important now,” I whisper, “Spence?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think i’m another life we made it

He thinks for a moment.

“I’m every universe i will be forever yours, I just wish it could’ve been in this one too” Beginning to sob

“And i will always be yours too, you were it for me Spencer Reid”

His tears fall down quicker than you can wipe them away.

“At least we’ll have all those other lives, we could have that wedding I planned,” I giggle sadly, “You would’ve loved it”

“I should’ve asked you, I wanted it to be you”

“I wanted it to be me too”

Your eyes begin to close, in the distant shouts for medics get louder, the blaring of sirens closer.

“I love you” he whispers, “Please don’t leave me, we’re not done yet”

———————————————————————

[dootznbootz]

Penelope playing on the floor with Telemachus with his toys, (maybe even wooden ones made by his dad)

Telemachus being tucked into bed by Penelope and being told stories about anything and everything.

Her and Athena keeping progress of what he's learning and how well he's doing.

Naiadborn!Pen teaching him how to catch fish and how to swim. Cheering for him like crazy when he catches his first one.

Penelope giving her son a piggy back ride while he's still small.

"I saw a deer today, mama!" "You did?! :D While you were on a walk with grandpa?" "Yeah! It was big and then it snorted and ran away!"

Penelope making Sandcastles on the beach shore with Telemachus so he's a bit distracted from constantly looking at the horizon for Odysseus.

Penelope and Telemachus playing games like knucklebones together.

Telemachus hiding and giggling behind something as Penelope pretends like she doesn't know where he is.

Penelope being a kickass, loving, and playful mother while still being able to worry for her husband. She was crying so much during the Odyssey because her ruse had just been found out and she is scared for herself and her son and her husband. Yes, she most likely cried on her own when she needed to. Of course she did, and it's an important part of her that she did worry about and miss Odysseus deeply, they both deeply missed each other.

But she would play with her son, she'd love him and the stories he'd come up with. She'd watch him grow and kiss his cheeks and tease him like every loving mom does. She'd discuss with Athena about him and how he's doing, Athena would check in on Penelope to see how she's doing. He's growing angry and hurt from the suitors and them destroying things. They comfort one another.

Like, I really love Mom!Penelope and Son!Telemachus moments and while I love them helping and comforting each other during the suitors. They would've still had so much fun together all his life too. Ups and Downs, you know?

[i-eat-deodorant]

[beiibeiii]

i'm stuck in loops of your mind

husband!arlecchino x wife!reader angst

tw - character death mentioned, angst, sad arle, grieving, two endings?, fluff, soft arle, arles bday special, icl this is really shit 💀, kinda late whoops, not really that sad now that im finished with this 💀 not proofread at all

the day starts early in the morning, with the feeling of her arms wrapped around you. you two are both in your bed. her warm body was pressed against yours, her pyro vision heating you up throughout the night. the sun was barely in the sky. just raising across the clear horizon. the feeling of peacefulness flowing through the atmosphere. arlecchino's hand gently stroking through the soft locks of your hair. her softened eyes lazily gaze over your sleeping form. your soft little breaths and the way you just looked in her arms had her hooked, absolutely mesmerised. you had her wrapped around your finger without even knowing it. you looked so perfect, even with your messy bed hair. you were endearing. she felt her heart swell in love. she wanted to wake up to this sight every day.

the sun starts to peek through the curtains now. you feel yourself stir awake. you feel her arms enveloped around you, her hand idly playing with your hair, carefully massaging your scalp. taking time to not accidentally scratch you with her nails. your eyes flutter open, adjusting to the light.

"good morning.. arle.." you groaned out softly. arlecchino looks down at you, your sleepy gaze meeting hers. you already knew today was arlecchino's birthday. you wanted to shower her with so much love today. you had already secretly been planning so much for today.

"good morning, my dear." arlecchino mumbles, lowly, back. you smile, your eyes curling up in happiness as you cup her face, a hint of sloppiness evident in your movements. she leans into your touch as if it was muscle memory to her. your eyes flutter closed as your lips fall onto hers. the kiss was sweet. you can feel her lips curl up against your mouth. she loved the feeling of your soft lips against hers. it was addicting.

arlecchino lets out low hum of content. pulling away, your eyes flutter open to her loving gaze. "happy birthday, peruere. i love you." your voice is laced with love. a soft, sleepy smile adorns your face. your thumb is gently rubbing her pale skin. arlecchino feels her heart fill with compassion. there it was, her real name. she feels as if time slowed down. the way the sunlight beamed on your face. how her name rolled off your tongue so easily. it broke down her cold walls she had boxed herself in with. her expressions softens a little more.

she feels the tips of her ears heating up already, the day hadn't even begun yet. she wanted to stay in this moment with you, forever. her lips curl up. you were just so perfect. "how did i get so lucky? i love you so much, my dear." arlecchino mumbles under her breath lovingly.

the two of you bask in each others warmth a while longer. whispering sweet things into each others ears as the sun fully rises. there was no need to get up so early today. you was excited as you had spent all week planning her surprise with the children. you just couldn't wait to see her reaction. how her lips would purse and how her eyes would narrow, trying to hold back a smile in front of the children. you just loved her so much, and so did she.

and so, when you do get up at around 10am. arlecchino walks off into her office to go finish reading a report. she tells you she'll be done quickly. good this is perfect! you manage to slip away from arlecchino's gaze and meet up outside with the children. as you greet them all. lyney starts helping by tasking everyone what to do. you making sure everything looks alright and in place in time. you were all going to surprise arlecchino with a barbecue dinner. not long after, as arlecchino finishes her papers, you and the children had just finished up. you give your thanks to lyney, lynette, freminet and the rest of the house of the hearth.

you quickly walk back inside, going to look for her, trying to hold back that massive smile on your face. you felt like a giddy teenager, you were so excited! as you were walking up to her office arlecchino walks out. greeting you with a small hum, noticing your happy expression. her eyebrows furrow in confusion. what had you done?

"you look happy, did something happen?" she muses, an eyebrow of hers raising in curiosity. the corner of your eyes crinkle as you smile, grabbing her by the wrist lightly and tugging her lightly.

"i have a surprise for you! come on!" you looked so happy, your smile brightening her whole world. without an other word, arlecchino lets herself be dragged outside by you. you lightly tug her pass the hallways and to the grand doors leaning outside. your hand lets go of her, going to her side as you lean your body onto hers, flashing her a cheeky smile as you look up at her. "open the door!" you ask her excitedly.

though she was skeptical, arlecchino chuckles to herself lightly. her gaze softening seeing your enthusiastic in your bright eyes was everything to her. "alright, my dear. here i go now." her voice is soft as her hand lightly ruffles your hair. her hand now on the doorknob, twisting it unlocked and walking out.

arlecchino is met by an attack of party poppers. a loud shout of "happy birthday!" is heard. the colourful, bright confetti getting all over the both of us. her lips part as her gaze momentarily softens. she was not expecting this at all.. you laugh softly at her surprised reaction. the children has paper, party hats on their heads arlecchino sees balloons around the place. a barbecue, her favourite of course, and a 3 layered cake saying "happy birthday father." on it. the candles are lit, it looks like it had been made by the children with a little help from you. arlecchino stands there, covered in confetti almost speechless. even if she didn't show it, you could tell she was happy.

you turn to her with a gentle smile on your face. you hands in her hair to pull some confetti of out it. "do you like it?" you question, your head tilting to the side, your eyes turning into half moons. arlecchino lets out a small sigh, smiling ever so slightly.

"i love it. thank you my dear." she replies, gazing at your gentle look. her heart swelled with love. feeling cared for and appreciated. the fact you and everyone had put in so much effort for her, meant so much more to her than you'd ever imagine. the children cheer happily. giggling and laughing with each other lyney walks up to arlecchino with the birthday cake in hand. lynette and freminet stood behind him. the trio had light smiles.

"happy birthday father. you should make a wish." lyney says with a kind smile. arlecchino lets out a low hum, looking down at the cake. the cake was definitely not perfect, but she knew it was baked from pure love. there was no cake sweeter than one made from love. arlecchino glances at you momentarily, slightly hesitant? you flash her a smile, urging her on.

she nodded, closing her eyes as she made a wish. a wish that meant everything to her. she blows the candles out, and the party starts.

the party goes on for a few hours. it was lively, fun occasion. the children playing with each other. the delicious smell of the barbecue fills the air. the smoke going up in the clear blue skies. you all enjoy a lovely barbecue dinner. she received gifts and cards from the children. you just could see arlecchino's content expression. she was so beautiful like this. your hand finds its way into hers. your wedding rings together. her hand firmly squeezing yours.

"this means the world to me. thank you, my dear." she mumbles lowly to you. her words full of warmth and love.

the day ends, arlecchino finds herself outside with you near a river. the two of you watch the sunset together. the beautiful golden rays reflect onto the river. taking in the serene view in front of the both of you. the setting sun painted the sky in a glorious blend of orange, red, and purple hues, casting long shadows across yourselves. tranquility in the air. the setting sun sets across the horizon in a picturesque view. the water ripples ever gently, almost as if it was dancing to the setting sun. trees rustling gently in the calm summer breeze. her facial expression was soft.

"i love you, my dear. thank you for today." she tells you softly. she turns to face to you. her gaze full of love.

fic can end here for fluff ending stop reading if u dont want angst ending

there was no reply to her sweet words. of course. arlecchino's gaze falls upon the roses and small slice of birthday cake in front of your grave. she freezes at the loud silence. her eyes narrowing, the reality dawning upon her, crawling up her spine and into her heart just to split it open. the whole day had gone the same. just without you. you wasn't real. you were dead.

her mind was stuck in denial. the visions of you etched into her mind, burning into her memories. the memories of you stuck on repeat, in loops of her mind. she only feels, seeing your face. the feeling of grief implodes her mind. "i hope you enjoy the cake. the children baked it themself." she continues hesitantly. what a bitter feeling.

she lets out a uneven sigh of despair. "the children were good today. they surprised me." she muses, a small bittersweet smile. trying to reassure you more than herself. the small crack in her voice evident. the silence was so deafening. "you know, they miss you too.." her voice is followed by a tremble. she feels stupid trying to talk to you. her heart feels restricted. her hand grips onto her blouse. fuck her chest felt so tight. the irony of the situation falling into her she feels so weak for once. why couldn't she of saves you, she should of saved you.

"i miss you." she whispers lowly. her voice on the verge of breaking now. the cruel truth caving in on her, leaving no way out. it had already been a few months. she couldn't accept it. it was too much. it affected her more then she wanted to admit. she feels the despair bubbling up and into her head wanting to release, to let it all out.

she closes her eyes, carefully leaning her head on your grave. her heart heavy, plummeting down to depths arlecchino didn't even know existed. she feels a cold tear run down her cheek. the darkness of the night and the harsh reality of life would start casting over her. she would stay there. talking to you until the sun would rise. her voice was full of bittersweetness.

god she missed you so much.

"i love you, so, so much, my dear."

[fangirlfuel]

Hiii ! This is my first time making a request (and sorry if there is any mistake in the writteng english is not my first language 😭), so I was thinking about a Kimi Antonelli x reader one shot inspired about that photo of Kimi and his classmate , you know where that girl posted a photo of Her and him on TikTok and kimi was touching her like a bf and she was liking comments about how they look like a couple while he is in a relationship, do that but with reader as the gf and she and Kiki have a argument about it , and Kimi says something dumb (of course he dosen't really mean it) and make reader really sad and reader gains trust issues about their relationship , and then she ask for a break in their relationship (if you know what I mean), and like Kimi becomes super scared that she will soon break up with him and does everything to gain her trust and make her his again , lots of groveling and fluff and angst and please , please the end to be a happy one !

Or you can make a serie of 2 parts !

If you don’t like it its alright, no pressure! 😊

Love your work btw 🫶🏻

Hiii !

Omg I LOVE your idea 😭🫶🏻

And I think that I will do 2 parts BUT I can’t really promise you that there will be a happy ending 😭🫠, like I am in the mood only for angst and that is the only content in my head lately but I will still try to do a happy ending 🫶🏻😘

Thank you !🖤

.

[dewdr0pz]

🤍 Did You Just Flinch? 🤍

Summary: You flinched when he yelled at you.

word count: 761

tags: @zuuriell @somebody-v @vibestillaxxx @ax-y10 @joviepog@themonsterunderurmom @ogelizasoot @wilburstan@smolsleepykitten@funnyreally2009@crows-death@dykepunz@aresriiots@0miamor0@defonotval@chipch0p@mazzistar16@unmellowyellowfellow@justalittlebitofchaos@thosecolorfulsheets@vopix@taylors-version-from-the-vault@aine-lasagna@merianakross@veeislost@urfav-sapphic-siren@shazbaz58-blog @wifiatthetrainstation@mcr-pr-fob@shd454@universe-friday@rqvii@idioticion@m0thza@artistphantom @ace-call-me-what-youd-like @lexx-the-gay-rubber-ducky @finleyforevermore @poraphia @radio-to-trenchcoat-demons @mysticalsoot(let me know if u don't or do wanna be tagged!!)

cw: cursing, arguing, use of Y/N, you/yours pronouns used, reader flinches, hurt/comfort, Wilbur being kind of a dickhead, mentions of past abuse, use of a pet name at the end

a/n: hey guys! Quick little story: I watched a video that was basically Wilbur getting mad for like 3 or so minutes, & the first clip was Wilbur pretending to be angry at someone who was interviewing him, & Wilbur yells very loudly & I flinched & I thought "that's a banger idea for a fic, good job, me!" so yeah!! :) here's the video if you wanna see

You & Wilbur both had terrible days. You didn't get a wink of sleep because of work & stress, & the entire week, you two were snippy with each other. You didn't blame him for any of it; he was stressed, & he was tired. Today, however, you were a little angry with him for it. You two had been extra snippy last night & had an argument, & that led to Wilbur choosing to sleep on the couch, & he didn't give you your good morning kisses & hugs when he left for the studio. He just said muttering a goodbye. Not once, in all of the years of dating you, did he ever not kiss you before he left. Even if you were screaming at him the night before or you were both pissed off at each other, he'd still do it.

When you finally got home from work, you found Wilbur sitting at his desk in the office, a mug of coffee next to his laptop. He was tapping his foot repetitively & he looked tired. His hair was tousled & his eyelids were drooping. You walked over to grab the coffee mug & he grabbed your wrist, not hard enough to hurt you.

"I'm still drinking that," he sighed.

"Hello to you too," you replied. He sighed again. "I'm just refilling your coffee for you."

"I didn't ask you to do that," he snapped. "I can do it myself."

"What is your issue today?" you said, somewhat annoyed.

"What's my issue?!" he said, raising his voice slightly. "What's your issue?! You've been such an ass to me this week! You're not making the stress any fuckin' easier!"

"Neither are you!" you said, your voice also raising. "You're being an ass, too! A massive one!"

"Oh, j--FUCK OFF!" he said, now yelling. "Fuck off! You think--you just sat there thinkin' you're tough shit, didn't you, fuckin' wanker?"

You froze. He's never yelled at you like that before.

"I-I can leave & let you be if you want--" you started in a small voice.

"Oh, so you're just fuckin' dumping me now?!" he shouted. "Is that what you're doing?! You're trying to break up with me?! What a fuckin' load of bollocks!"

"No no no no!" you said, still using that soft voice. "I-I was just going into another--"

"What, are you gonna try & cheat on me?!" he yelled, somehow getting louder. "Is that what this is, you fuckin' wanker?"

"Not at all!" you said quietly. "Not at all! I wouldn't dream of--"

"SPEAK UP!" he nearly shrieked as he raised his hand. "JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!"

You flinched & covered your head as you shook & were on the verge of tears. He was most likely going to hit you. That's what the last few did.

Wilbur froze. He lowered his hand & looked at you with shock. Tears began to fill his eyes.

"Did you just flinch?" he said, almost a whisper. "Love, I--I wasn't going to hurt you. I would never."

You didn't say anything. You just sobbed.

"Oh my God, darling," he whispered, his voice cracking. He moved your hands away from your face & wrapped his arms around your waist as he took in the sight of your trembling lips & tearful eyes.

"I'm not like him, love," he whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I would never even dream of hurting you, okay? I'm so sorry I scared you. I shouldn't have yelled."

& you broke down in his arms as he buried your head in his chest & let out a few small cries of his own. You both mumbled apologies to each other constantly as you hugged each other like your lives depended on it. Suddenly, he picked you up bridal style & placed you on the bed.

"Wait right here, okay?" he said, brushing the hair away from your face. "I'm going to run the store."

He came back a few moments later with a full grocery bag. When you opened the bag, you saw your favorite snacks, drinks, candy, a plushie, & a pair of slippers.

"Wil, this is too much--" you started. He cut you off with a gentle kiss.

"Nothing is too much for my sunflower," he smiled. "Now, what movie do you want to watch?"

For the rest of the night, you two watched your favorite movies & TV shows, & when it was time to go to bed, you two cuddled & talked & giggled with each other until you fell asleep in his arms.

[smolvenger]

Yggdrasil (Loki x fem! Reader Oneshot)

Summary: Your husband, the god of mischief, has made the ultimate sacrifice for his friends, and the world...he lives, but now he is alone...that is until you choose to join him in his solitude and make a life there.

Warnings: MAJOR spoilers for the ending of the Loki series. Angst, but fluff and hurt/comfort. YN becomes a goddess in her YN-y moment. Brief mentions of sex and pregnancy, but no smut at all. Fix it Fic goodness. Canon and Norse mythology is not a code and more like a guideline. Is it accurate? I don't know. And this is fic world. Accuracy don't mean shit. I just want my boy to be happy after all that and do my part as a Loki fic writer after...THAT.

Word Count: 2K

@fictive-sl0th @ladycamillewrites @villainousshakespeare @holdmytesseract @eleniblue @twhxhck @lokisgoodgirl @lovelysizzlingbluebird @raqnarokr @holymultiplefandomsbatman @michelleleewise @wolfsmom1 @cheekyscamp @mochie85 @muddyorbsblr @asgards-princess-of-mischief @huntress-artemiss @ijuststareatstuffhereok89

A03//My Ko-Fi//My Etsy Shop//Masterlist//Wattpad

You walked over to the tree. It was incredibly beautiful. The vines reaching out. The colors are everywhere. The trunk of it twisting, twisting round. The blueness and soft greens that surrounded you. Light purple flowers high up, blossoming. You had heard of it in stories. Maybe dreamed of it once. But here…here in person it was even more beautiful.

“Hello there, Yggdrasil.” you greeted with a smile.

There was a breeze in the wind. It rattled the leaves above. The starry sky. It didn’t feel too cold here- it felt sweet, crisp. An early autumn night. You took several steps closer until you were right before the trunk. Your voice lowering.

“But I know who you really are…who is in there…” you continued.

The search had been long. It had been a month. A month since you saw him. The look on his face, and felt his sacrifice, his steps going forward. Now here it was-in person. Here he was.

It shivered in response. You went up, gently placing a hand on the bark. 

You felt the curves of your lips to a gentle frown. A voice that was not begging…only requesting. Soft, but grounded. As grounded as the tree was though in it’s magic it seemed like it floated where it grew.

“Please…take me to him…it is all I want, all I wish, all I ask for…please allow me to see him…even if it’s only once…”

Was your prayer answered? Even heard? You sucked in a breath, feeling your chest grow tight with anticipation. The delicate lines of both despair and hope on a thin line.The golden band around your finger felt tight- shimmering amidst the dark wood of the tree.

The vines relented. They thinned and opened up- as easily as silk. There was a glowing opening within the tree. You felt it- a stillness. As if you were waited. Expected.

Inside it, you took your steps into the heart of the tree. It felt like the cool mist, the light rain as you walked through-like the light rain that poured the first night you let him into your bed. Your heart raced, your palms clammy. 

Was this a mistake? The wrong one? It had to be…it had to! It couldn't have done that unless… it was really…no- was this it? Would Yggdrasil kill you? Destroy you for knowledge so intimate, so secret?

Branches, vines, leaves- so much wood here. There was a green light that glowed about it, shining everywhere- how perfect for him, you mused. 

Your head turned. Throat going dry and tight with dread, fear. You searched around. Eyes skittering through the thick vines.

You looked around-nothing but the greenery…

Then…there was a voice. Breathy, baritone, low, rich-and it whispered your name in echoes. 

The greenery opened up. You saw first horns. Then…

There, on a throne, surrounded by vines, there he sat. Pale and handsome. He was always handsome to you. Despite the lines of care, his drooping eyes…it was him. You knew that face- caressed it, kissed it so many times.

His eyes then lowered to you. Its blueness seemed darkened, dimmed. Then he looked at you, squinting. He whispered your name again, to you. You felt everything in you freeze. You wanted this. Processed it. It was real- very, very real.

“Is…is that…” he began to whisper.

Tears brimmed up your eyes and you cupped your mouth, as you felt them drop down your hand already.

“Loki it’s you!” you cried out.

Sobbing hard, you ran into him, almost tackling him into a hug. Crying so hard your whole body shook with each tearfall. So much your face felt hot, even as it scratched against his cloak- against the long vines. You felt his hands wrap around you. And you heard him just say your name again- an incantation. A spell to bring you back. A spell that worked. You cried as he held you, the vines around him shivering.

“What…what is it…why…why did you come here?” he asked.

You released the hug. Wiping off your tears with your sleeve like a little child. Your tone returned to the old teasing. 

“You silly man! What kind of wife abandons her husband?”

Loki’s mouth opened, but he said nothing. His face was in awe.

“I came here for you! I figured out how- and I did!” you replied.

He let out a deep sigh. He lifted his white hand, caressing your cheek. You leaned into it, enjoying the intimacy, his touch that you had been deprived of, that he had been deprived of too for so long.  

“You know I cannot leave this. Ever. I…I must do this, my love…I had to…to save all of them…to save you…I…I must make sure…their stories all…all are happy…are managed, well…even yours.” he voiced. His face serene, though a tear fell down across his cheek.

You then took his hand and clutched it. 

“Loki, the many times you comforted me when I cried. Stood by me. Protected me when I was in danger, scared. Saved me, even. And you know how…how lonely I would get in Asgard. Who else would run to my side to comfort me…but you. I shall do that for you!”

His eyes widened.

“But…you cannot give up your home, your life!” he replied.

You shook your head.

“I will make a new one here- we will make a new one here…Thor and Frigga gave me their blessing before I left. They saw how happy we made each others…and that is what they want. I told them what you did. The people you saved…and they’re…they’re proud of you.”

He blinked rapidly, more tears falling down. You lifted two of your hands- cupping his face lovingly. He had no choice but to look in your eyes.

“When we were married, we promised, before the AllFather and AllMother to always stand by each other...I will honor the vows I made on that altar, as you honored your vows to me,” you declared.

The wind rustled above. Inside, there were a few violet buds that dangled, moving slightly. Willing the flower to open.

“My darling….Asgard will lack its princess.”

“A mere consort? No! I am not an heir to anything! A mere accessory to a throne, a part of a painting…and nothing eles? And alone? Loki,  I don't need a palace, gold, riches, and titles…I only ask to be loved and safe…and Loki…you will be alone…now- you won’t be. I will stay by you. We will face this new part of your life together!”

There was a slight grown from the wood. Both of you looked about, your hands dropping. He nestled into the green cloak he wore around him. His helmet perfect for him- never once slipping off his head.

“It’s quiet here…there’s no one…nothing���a life of nothing…but making these stories” he mused.

“Then let me stay…let me help…if only…if only to be with you…I will live here. If not near- then give me access. I will stay here, come by every day. Visit for hours…just to be with you.”

“My darling…sweet, sweet wife…I was alone and I…I don’t have to…”

There were tears in his eyes.

“Thank you…thank you, my dear…”

He pressed his forehead to yours. The cold metal of the forehead touching your own. You only held hands. Felt each other- the love in your systems bursting forth.

A vine went to you, grazing against your arm. You lifted a hand.

“Which one is this?” you asked.

“This one…a man named Steve…or Marc…he’s three at once, it’s very complicated….” Loki explained.

You lifted a finger to touch it. There was a ripple. The vines shook, some of them went to you. You wondered…you lifted a hand. It allowed you to touch it. There was a small, reddish glow, it went up and through.

“You just…just…made something happen…something will occur for Steve…he’s about to learn what gifts he truly has…my dear…has this happened before?”

“No- not until now…”

“You think that…you have a certain…gift?” he asked.

The vines reacted in turn. You realzed as you touched them, you could help move these stories. Turn them- touching made something happen and Loki would tell you.

“My dear…you have a gift. One of fate…”

“Then…I guess I cannot leave now. You will help with stories. I will help with fates. We both have work to do.”

He smiled.

“Asgard now has a new goddess…” he said. You went up, and kissed him. You cried as your lips touched. And there was a shudder that went through the trees and rattled through the forest like a wind. 

It was an adjustment. Making a home just outside of the remains of the earth. Fortunately, you knew enough magic to get by. To transport and conjure food. Even gather some from the nearby village. Enough to make a garden, a home.

And every day, you walked out to Yggdrasil. Vanished for hours. Then returned. 

For the villagers, it was odd that a goddess of fate was just going about the streets getting groceries among them. You merely shrugged and laughed it off. 

You said your husband was busy. Quite busy. He had an important job-crucial one. Yet people wondered at you- the mysterious goddess who lived in a cottage by the woods, whose husband never appeared, and vanished into the forest. The forest at the end of the world, mind you- every day and returned with a smile on her face as if nothing happened. 

It was quiet and simple. No opulent balls and feasts of Asgard. But no fathers with clear favorites and tears and bloody battles with countless corpses and heartbreak either.

 How often you polished the horns on his helmet and washed his cloak by the river. Then he would tell you all about what happened. Fates and stories.  You would mend them, mind them. Determine what worked, what did not. And you would laugh and cry so hard over every story on earth of each person you would feel like a rag rung out…yet in a good way.

And you would wrap your arms around him. Sit on his lap on the throne, as you did back then so many times before. Kiss him and nuzzle into him. Feel his touch- remind him through the brush of your fingers through his dark curls. I am here, I am here, I am here. 

It was like being remarried- A honeymoon fortress of oak, willow leaves, and flower petals. The newness of your husbands role, his abilities. As well as yours. But without everything else…no, you didn’t need anything else. Only each other.

It was a month later, you knew the change. You felt it. The suspicion. The inkling you felt since you began your journey. Counting on your fingers from when it last happened, and your journey to him began, the timing was right. The intuition. The small ringing of a bell in the back of your head getting louder, and louder with each passing week. The one reason on the backburner that was never confirmed. And now it was. You both wanted it. Hoped for it. Now, though the circumstances could have never been guessed, you would both receive your wish. The confirmation long awaited. 

On Yule, you teasingly adored the tree in ribbons. Loki inside scoffed, rolling his eyes. But it only made you laugh harder. In Spring, you collect its flowers and put them in vases. In Summer, you cooled beneath it’s shade. Loki made sure your story was hte one most preciously protected, guarded. You made old charms from the flowers with his magic- for your safety and good health. Flowers worn over your head in crowns, on your neck. And in Autumn, you watched as they oranged and swirled. How lovely they were surrounding you as you held each other. 

A year and a half went by before you knew it, as swift as mortals lives. the cottage had an infant girl living in it.  She had dark hair, and your skin and eyes. And she was starting to walk. You held her up by both hands in the grass before the forest.  

“Come along Freya! There’s a good girl! A step at a time!” you cooed at her.

Who knew what her powers would be. What she was goddess of. But here, she wasn’t a goddess. She was just a baby.

She was Babbling as the grass tickled her feet. The loving, green dress you tucked over her. You held her tiny, chubby hand as she experimentally bent her knees. Then she made a sound of triumph.

Motherhood was not going to stop your gifts and powers as a goddess of fate. You touched the vines and turned fates however. But you had to give happy ones to the friends of him. The ones who meant so much to him, did so much for him. For Mobius, you made sure his sons grew up healthy and strong and happy, with long vacations by lakes and oceans. For Ouroboros, you gave him several awards and successes as a writer and the inspiration and motivation to create, pour water into his own well, and never lose the joy of it. You made sure they all were safe and content. 

 You scooped little Freya up your arms, giving her a kiss on the side of her head. She was behaving well- not crying loud to wake the whole village. Needing perhaps a cradle from the vines of Yggdrasil again in Norns Know what time of night if she was especially fussy. 

You walked her again to the tree. She looked out with her wide eyes. One hand trying to touch the leaves, the vines, the branches. A thing of flowers bloomed for her. One leafy vine went over to graze her cheek. She kicked in enthusiasm, giggling in such pure joy.

 You smiled at her and then at Yggdrasil. Seeing the portal open once again.

 Knowing he was inside again- to see her. Meet her. Hold her as he did when she was a swaddled newborn to be brought- for him to just hold her. Despite the great loneliness of Loki’s inital fate, you all did everything to change it. He would meet Freya and watch her grow up. He would see her, hold her, love her. Again. Again. And again. 

You turned your face to the baby with a smile, and then to the portal door and the god of stories waiting inside.

“Freya- let’s go see your father.”

[dragonsoulage]

Giving back the bird's wings...

feat. Levi Ackerman

After some observing Levi confrontes you about your relationship with your boyfriend. He can't longer look and ignore the feeling that tugged at his heartstrangs. You deserve so much better...

In this story you are working for the survey corps as maid in the headquarters. And you have a really toxic relationship with your boyfriend. Idk why but writing for Levi always makes me want to write something angsty. So here we are ☠️✨ please be aware that some things can trigger. So take a look at the warnings.💖 Oh and I suck in proof reading ☠️

Wordcount:4k

Warnings: Angst, ab*sive relationship, tox*c relationship, mentions of domest*c v*olence, sad, but fluff especially in the end. Levi is really tender with you 💖

You sat there in his office, tears streaking your beautiful face. It hurt him, more than it hurt you.

He found out what happened, not that it was that hard at all, people just needed to take a closer look, a more concerned look behind that happy exterior you always put on.

It was convincing, nearly so convincing that Levi himself might not notice, not right away.

But he cursed himself for not seeing it sooner.

You were a sweet girl, you have always been. So giving and selfless. You weren't in the corps, no. But you worked for them as a maid.

You cleaned and made the beds for the scouts. You cooked and served, and of course always had an ear for everyone who needed it. Not only that, but you were part of the group who made the scout feel like family. Especially the trainees, the new ones.

Levi was always gruff, pretending he would find you annoying.

Although it was indeed the opposite. He knew you was a person that probably would give someone else your last money because they needed it more than you. Too good for this cruel world, too good for him.

Not that he ever had a chance, he always thought to himself. You were taken, not a single lady. Your boyfriend was part of the military policy. A tall guy, strong and really an eye-catcher. But well even when he always seemed so concerned for you, or so nice. He wasn't.

Levis steel blue eyes looked at you, how you hid your face behind your hair. That pain on your face, it tugged in his heart strings.

Why you were sitting here?

Well, after Levi slowly found out what kind of man your boyfriend was, he simply observed you. Some signs were clear, he wasn't dumb. He saw how you hid your bruises, how you cried alone, ate alone. Always trying to avoid when someone asked you...really asked you how you have been.   

But tonight he had enough of observing and lurking around you. He was sure, your tears you shed give it all away.

A barrier that broke after he pointed it out.

"It's not like you think, he can be gentle, I swear. Sometimes he just doesn't know how he should control his strength." your voice was thin, even now you was defending this piece of shit? This man, who claimed to love you? And yet hurt you so much.

"Stop defending him. He hurts you, you don't hurt people that way when you love them." his voice was cold, he was angry. Not at you, of course not. His hand went through his raven strands. "You are too good for him, you give him everything and he did what? Throwing it away? And you still think it's your fault?" There was a chuckle that ran down your spine, he was not amused far from it.

"Some people need-" you wanted to start why you saw something good, you always saw something good, even in the captain himself.

"It still makes my blood run cold, to remember what he did before. You never told me anything at all, or anyone. I don't watch, (Y/N)." he stated firm, and he was really concerned, for you. Too soft, to get hurt by someone like this, a bird in a cage which wings were cut off.

He stood up from his seat makes his way around the desk before he stopped in front of you. Your head hanging low.   

"It's not like I would be oblivious, i-I know what he does." You meant, your voice trembling. When you were small you always wanted a man like you had now, big and strong, popular among the ranks, a smile that makes your heart warm, until you discovered his smile, your boyfriend heart was not real. His smile never reached his eyes. It made you believe that simply you was too different for this world. You were the problem, in being too sensitive, too emotional. Caring too much for everything. You were a smart girl, but you lost your own worth for yourself.

Thinking it was all you ever could get.

"When you know, why then you are still there?" he asked in a deep voice, still standing in front of you, looking down at you. He wanted to get a reaction from you, wanted you to see how damn wrong this was.

"Where else should I go? What do you want me to say?" you asked him, your voice filled with sorrow and yet with anxiety.

"I want you to speak it out." Levi meant, and in his head he was killing this man about the 100th time.

"Speak out what? That hitting your girlfriend is wrong? That insulting her is wrong? Making her do things, she never wanted but never had a choice? This is the world we were born in, everyone has problems. Mine is not different. It is what it is, not that I deserve anything at all when I am taking everything too my heart, I try... I fucking try. And it is me who-" you said, and your voice went a little louder in the end, you wanted to lash out not knowing why, tears started to run down your cheeks again. He stopped you, grabbing your chin and lifted it so you were forced to look at him.   

"You are not aware how this makes my blood thin, to remember what you are to him." Levi himself talking a little louder because of the intensity of this situation. He would never allow anyone to touch you like that again. He would rather die than have the hands of this filthy man on you.

Alone the thought how much you suffered at these hands, not just physical.

But the Captain was right, what were you to your boyfriend? A question you asked yourself a lot, wanted to be better, wanted to improve, although you were already perfect in other eyes...in Levis eyes.

"What am I?" you asked, and you looked so vurnable to him, he wanted to shield you from anything cruel this world offered you.

"You are...precious." these words simply came out of his mouth before he could stop them. Not that they were not true, but maybe because they were too true, to himself.

"(Y/N) you are lovely, probably one of the most...purest people I know. You take care of everyone and everything around you, simply because this is the being you are. You make a place feel like home, because you are home." his voice lower this time laced with raw honesty, not that he sounded pretty about that, it was everything he usually would never say out loud. He then went to one of his knees and hold your hand. Your teary eyes widen, no one ever said anything like that to you. No one appreciated your personality like this.

"At least to me..." he than added thin. You took a shaky breath, tried to wipe your tears away. But his hand already was on your cheeks, his thumb collecting the salty fluid.

"Why are you saying this?" you asked him, it was irony still asking questions if this was true, how bad this man had damaged you?

"Because otherwise you wouldn't see it, not that you would see this now, he damaged you, broke your wings." Levi stated and there was this glint in his eye, a silent promise to himself.   

"He broke more than that, he never had a nice word what he really meant." you spoke and at least you now was lured out of your shell, telling him what you really felt. Levi meant every word he said to you. And he was not known to say things like that. You were that sweet expectation, he needed to let you know what you were to him...you were home.

"Levi..." your thin voice spoke his name with such a need, because you felt so lost.

"I give them back to you, I promise." he said it just made you cry more. You felt like you wanted to crawl inside you, away from this situation. Levi would give you back your wings, that were cut of so rudely.

"Shhh." he soothed you then before you was pulled into a warm hug. You were sobbing, like crying out every bit of pain your boyfriend gave you.  

After that conversation, Levi would never allow you to go back to that bastard, not with the knowledge he had.

You stayed in the headquarters. Levi stayed the whole time by your side, until you fell asleep, you were just so exhausted from all the crying and the distress. After he was sure you slept safe and sound he made his way out.

"Where you're going to this time?" a known voice was heard behind him, Levi turned around it was the Commander Erwin.

"Taking care of things." he replied, and it was with a cold tone, hard like steel. Erwin for sure wasn't clearly in the picture what had happened, but he knew Levi wouldn't react like this when it wouldn't be necessary.

"What things?" Erwin asked sternly.

"Removing some trash around here." Levi answered, not giving away at all what his dark plans were.

"Whatever you need to do, make sure it disappears thoroughly." the Commander said before he let Levi go his way. He knew he was going to kill someone, and that someone would be your heartless boyfriend....

Levi knew you would cry, he knew you would break. But you were broken long ago from a person who never even deserved all the love you could give.

His stepped were determined, with that one purpose. Someone who was just so fragile as you and yet so strong trying to hold your head above water, it hurt him.

You were drowning all by yourself, and this bastard of a man pushed your head underwater, filling your lungs so you couldn't scream.

It was unfair to him, like so many things. So many things weren't right, but this, this was not just something. You were good, lovely even, and Levi knew when it was time to let things rest, but this? How should he rest when he knows the bitter truth that someone was making your life harder. Making your life...not worthy.

When Levi reached his place he wanted to be he took a deep breath before he knocked on that door.

Someone opened it, indeed your boyfriend with that bright smile, that smile that teared you apart.   

"The Captain of the Survey Corps, how can I help?" he asked him not aware how the next hour would go for him. Besides the fact that he didn't even ask for you. Your work was done about 3 hours ago, and you didn't come home. Levi knew that because he was the one who stopped you from going home.

"Hm, just checking up on things. Your girlfriend works for us, just doing some check-ups." Levi said gruffly in a low voice, his eyes looked hard, although they always did. He was short yes but not less an authority, he stepped into your home, the home you shared with this man.

"Oh yeah of course, we do these check-ups too, in our ranks." your boyfriend replied with curt smile letting Levi in.

"Where is she?" the Captain asked quiet stern, as he walked through the living room his hand resting on the sofa you probably used to sit.

"(Y/N)? Running some errands by now, she is always up on her legs. Like the good maid she is." he chuckled and well indeed he had this charm, seeming so nice and polite. All an act just to make people think he would be worth something. The short man sighted running a hand through his hair before his steps stopped. Turning around to the man.

"Errands? To this time? Isn't it a little late for that?" he cocked his head to the side, like if he was testing him. Your boyfriend was lying into his face, like he lied to everyone. It made Levis heart heavy to know that you belonged to this piece of shit. Someone who not even cherished you, who wouldn't give anything to you. Not more than a hit to you, not more than just empty words.

How often had you cried, because of him? How often your pretty eyes turned red? How often did you hid in your bedroom, hoping the next fight would be over. It was nearly like Levi could see all those things happen when he was inside this place.

"Well, yes it is late. But you know her, right? She wants to get things done." the other man meant not giving away anything. Levi groaned before the door was closed from the outside.

"Yeah she wants that, she always does a good job." Levi meant and walked closer to the tall guy who claimed to love you.

"It's not safe at all for a woman like her to wander around alone to this time, don't you think?" his voice cold, not a hint of warmth. God Levi would give everything, everything to protect you. Slowly your boyfriend turned irritated by these questions, the behavior. He furrowed his eyebrows tried to wave this off.   

"Women like her?" he asked Levi with a certain edge in his voice.

"Women like her....soft, and good, make you warm around your heart with a single smile. Make your day better by walking by. The way she pours in tea...with such a determination to make someone happy nearly can be annoying when it wouldn't be so beautiful." Levi mumbled more to himself, when he realized how much you meant to him. How much you affected him.

"You don't deserve her, and you know it don't you?" Levi asked him the direct looking nearly menacing in his face.

"What you are talking about? Sure you are still doing check-ups?" your boyfriend asks and slowly there was this other side getting out, his face turning stern and angry.

"Yeah, check-ups on you. You really thought you hid it well enough?" Levi started and well Levi was shorter yes, but this guy wouldn't stand a chance against him.

"It is not of your concern what is between me and my damn girlfriend." he stated with a low and dangerous voice, all that bubbly and happy side he appeared vanished in this second, it was clear it was never real.

"She is my concern, she was when she started working by us. She hides her bruises well enough, you don't hit her face, I give you that." Levis words meant to provoke, to justify his actions he would take. And Indeed your boyfriend never hit your face, it was always so pretty, and he didn't want to ruin it, but he didn't want anyone to notice what was happening behind closed curtains.

"And? What now? Reporting me to the higher ups? Congratulations Captain, no one cares about a fucking maid." your boyfriend claimed with a cruel chuckle, cracking his knuckles.

"It's already too late for that, when you really think this here has a happy ending for you, than you have not paid enough attention boy." Levi grumbled and then it started...   

That "fight" was short, indeed short, your boyfriend was so fast on the ground with Levis form hanging over him, bashed against the wall. Not more than a howling hound now.

"Please, I never do it again!" that tall guy cried, after he got hit many times in the face. His wrists already broken because of Levi.

"I swear! Stop, please." he begged, begged for his life, never did he thought something like that would happen. That someone would come and actually give him a lesson, but more than that to actually punish him for what he did.

"You didn't stop, when she asked you to." Levi spit out into his face, maybe it was wrong, maybe this was the wrong approach to do it. But man like him would never change, they would find the next victim. You already suffered enough... maybe it would hurt, but this pain, Levi knew he would be able to heal it for you. At least this is what he wanted to try.

With some more action of Levis fists your boyfriend slumped to the ground, alive but barely breathing. He asked himself why someone like Levi came to do justice for you.

"You want her to yourself." he stated with a weak and raspy voice.

"It's not about what I want, but what needs to be done. She suffered in your hands, and this what I gave you was not even the half of everything she went through. How could you hurt her?" Levi asked him grabbing his throat looking him dead in the eyes.

"Because she let me... because she is that pretty bird I wanted to keep in that cage." he answered and maybe your boyfriend was now honest for the first time in his life.

"She is good and you knew that. A shame that a man like you had her, had the chance to love a precious being like her and yet ended up locking her up, cutting off her wings, for what use? Because you felt strong? What a pity you need to be, when you need to hurt others to feel strong? Piece of shit." Levis voice was dangerous sharp like a dagger he meant every word, he was so angry at this guy.

"And now do me a favor and fucking die." was the last Levi said to him before he snapped his neck.... it was done now, he removed the trash.   

Weeks went on after this incident, your boyfriend...he was being missed, his body not found, simply no one expected him to be dead, but he vanished.

You were aware what had happened, even when Levi never told you exactly that he committed murder. It was not like that tit was selfish, but he couldn't watch, couldn't watch how you would always be haunted by the actions of this man. And well...you truly let your happy guard down, behind that a sad girl, a broken one. So much weight on your delicate shoulders, a weight he wanted to lift. Levi would carry every burden, even when you never wanted him to.

He gave you time, not even expecting you to love him, to show him a sign of something, a small glimpse. Everything he wanted was that you felt safe, felt cherished.

Levi was in his office again but when he looked outside the window for just a fleeting moment, his eyes caught your sight.

You stood there in your maid dress you always wore, you finished working. Standing outside and handing out some pastries you bake. Of course Sasha was literally eating out your hand before Connie and Jean could get some. You weren't healed, but you seemed lighter, there was something about you now...something that made him want to believe it was justified what he did. He would give everything to a new sight to drink you in. The woman that was so gentle, yet always ready to give everything she could, just for a smile from another. The Captain found solace in watching you, your features highlighted by the sun. These lips that curled into a warm chuckle. These eyes that always gave away how you felt. At least to those who took a look, a real look.

He would give everything to borrow your indifference to see the world through your eyes.

You two had something together, the world had been unfair to both of you and yet you were able to be like this. Able to give that what Levi couldn't show. Not that these feelings weren't there, he cared a lot, more than he would admit, but you were the part that showed it.

You would complete him.

After you gave the three scouts the pastries you then went inside again, not many moments went over and he heard a knock. "Come on in." he replied with a curt voice. And there you was, none of you talked about the fact he made your boyfriend disappear.

You opened the door, with a tray in your hands, a warm cup of tea, Earl Grey, no sugar with a shot milk. And one of the pastries you bake, glazed with honey and walnuts.

"Before my shift is over I don't wanted you to pass out the chance to get one of those, before Sasha and Connie will kill all the pastries." you spoke with a sweet voice. You still seemed to carry a burden, yet you seemed lighter. You placed the tray on his desk, stood there next to him for a moment. Furthermore, you were thinking. There was this tension, the question if you should ask or not since weeks. The tension wasn't bad at all, but it was palpable. So much Levi felt it too.

"Your shift is already over, I know when it ends, and you worked longer than you have should." Levi pointed out with a short nod to the clock.   

Indeed, your shift would have ended about 45 minutes ago. You wiped your hands on your apron before your face turned to him.

"Yeah maybe it was, but I enjoy being here. It's home now, remember?" you answered and was referring to the fact that he told you, you were home. And it struck his heart for a moment when you said that. You weren't shocked about what he had done? You were sweet and gentle yes, but not oblivious. Likewise, you knew your situation had been bad, probably when Levi wouldn't have noticed, when he wouldn't care you would still be locked away like the bird without wings you were.

Yearning for freedom. You were still learning, learning to fly, learning to take your freedom Levi gave you. You were living in the headquarters now, not that old home that hold so many gruesome memories to you.

He gave back your wings, the feathers slowly grow back, with each passing day.

"(Y/N)... I-" for once Levi wanted to start, wanted to explain why he did it. But you shut him up, with a simple gesture. Shoving the tray closer to him.

"You gave me back, what I wasn't able to get myself. Maybe it was not the perfect way. But...what is even perfect?" you asked instead you looked him deep in the eyes.

A silent understanding. It was a moment that not seemed to went over.

"You are." Levi replied, when he said that your eyes went so soft. It has always been like this, he never expected anything in return for what he did. He yearned for you, for so long, for that understanding and lovely woman you were. The way you made him warm around his heart.

Always feeling so unlucky when you had been taken, by a man who never truly wanted to see you. Because Levi saw everything about you. Every aspect that made you...you.

He lived like he got missing limbs, for you. So often he felt a piece missing. A missing heart next to his.

"Don't say that, Captain." you meant to him before you bend down a little because he was sitting, and you had been standing next to him.

"You said I am home... I want you to say that I feel like you are home too." you spoke before you took a deep breath, leaning in and giving him a sweet kiss on his cheek.

The usual stoic Captain, so composed. He felt vurnable for a short moment. Someone who saw behind his exterior, even with the things he has done, and would do again.

"Thank you, Levi. For everything." you whispered wanted to turn awa