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bijuui9 · 1 year

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Experiment gone wrong

Lambert bodily tossed himself aside when his latest experiment blew up, taking out a good portion of his equipment with it. He coughed as he inhaled the smoke and waved his hands around to try and clear the air.

An odd chirrup sound caught his attention, and he blinked, looking around for the source. He got to his knees, a little sore from his fall, and frowned hard, squinting his eyes at his workbench. Something was there, but he couldn't see because of the smoke. The odd chirrup noise was back, definitely coming from his workbench. He got to his feet and approached, waving his hands through the smoke.

When it finally cleared, his eyes landed on the source of the chirrup noises. It was a ball of fur. He stared, body going utterly still as his instincts screamed at him to get his ass out of there.

"The fuck," he rasped, blinking and leaning forward to take a better look at the thing on his workbench. Yep, a quivering ball of fur making chirrup noises, thrilling and crooning in its place. Warily he reached out with gloved hand and poked it, quickly withdrawing his hands, all it did was thrill in a rather high pitch. Hesitantly he got closer to the table and picked the furball up. It had four tiny paws, legs? Lambert wasn’t sure what to call the four tiny limbs, they had tiny claws, but overall seemed harmless. He turned the furball over in his hands, no eyes. He carefully prodded it, looking for a mouth, he found nothing.

Baffled, he set the thing back onto the table. It chirred at him, bobbing in place. "The fuck did I do," Lambert muttering to himself, utterly baffled at what he had created. It was alive, that much he could tell. Fairly docile, and so far, all it did was make crooning noises and bob and sway gently in its place. It had no visible gender, no eyes nor a mouth that Lambert could find. It was utterly weird, that was what it was.

Lambert sighed and moved to pick up some of his ingredients only to find the furball eating his Belladonna roots. He stared at it, as it rapidly consumed the plants and roots on the bench. Well that answered the question of whether it had a mouth or not. Evidently, it had one. Were those fangs? Lambert cocked his head and took a closer look, wincing when he caught singing of a row of razor-sharp teeth gnawing a mandrake root it half.

With teeth like that, it could probably eat flesh too. Or rather rip it straight from the bone. "I should feed it," Lambert decided and with no regard for his own safety, picked up the vibrating ball of fluff and carried it with him and out of the room.

He swiftly made his way to the kitchens and asked Marlene for meat. She retrieved it for him and watched with horror as the creature insisted arms leaped onto the table and proceeded to devour the cows leg on it. "Holy fuck," Lambert cursed as his creation stripped the meat from the bone and then ate that too, it's silver colored teeth crunching it in pieces.

"What in goods name is that?" Marlene asked, panic in her voice and fear in her scent. Lambert stared at her for a moment and then looked back at the thing he had created. It sat quietly now, well mostly quiet. It was swaying lightly and chrring and crooning again. "I don't fucking now," he confessed.

"Well, you had best find out my lord, because that is not safe." Marlene told him, her voice wavering as she shoved a whole chicken to the creature and watched as it devoured that as well. Lambert felt himself agreeing with her, for all that it looked harmless it definitely wasn't. Sure they had fed it now, but he had no idea how much it needed to eat, what it's limits were regarding food or even if it would stop at animals, flowers, roots and plants. What if it could eat humans?

Lambert picked the creature up and shuddered, remembering that it had very sharp teeth somewhere. Still he found himself all but hugging it to his chest and carried it out of the kitchen. He needed to tell Geralt and maybe Eskel and may e one of the sorceresses should examine it. Because, whatever the fuck he had created, was dangerous. His instincts still screamed at him to drop it and haul ass. He wasn’t going to, letting an unknown omnivorous creature with the potential to eat humans loose in the keep was a bad, bad idea.

And so he made his way to the council rooms, barged in without knocking and dropped his creature onto the table. It crooned at him and began eating a stack of papers. Lambert let it. Wisely staying away from its teeth. Everyone else stared from him to the creature and then watched with horror fascination as it started making a dent in a stack of papers, which had been eye height high. It no longer was.

"Lambert, what in the hell is that?" It was Vesemir who voiced the question. "Fuck if I know. My experiment blew up, created that. It eats plants, Belladonna, mandrake, wolfsbane, chicken, a whole cows leg and paper too. I think it eats anything it can get its teeth on. Its soft, has four stubby legs with claws, a row of silver colored teeth, razor sharp as it crunched through the bone of the cows leg like it was a cookie." Lambert answered, he motioned to the now thrilling creature, it seemed to be singing. "I couldn't find any eyes and it's teeth are really well hidden. I don't fucking know what the fuck it is. But it just does that," the creature crooned at him, bobbing up and down and chirping to the room. "And eats whatever."

Yennefer had a look of fascination on her face as she approached. She reached out to touch it, withdrawing her hand when the flufball revealed a row of razor-sharp teeth and growled at her, inching towards Lambert and keeping its teeth in her direction. Lambert quickly put a hand on its head, and abruptly the growling stopped, the teeth vanished, and a crooning sound filled the air. "Guess it doesn't like sorceresses."

"Kill it," one of the schoolheads spoke up. "We can't have unknown creatures roaming the keep. You said it likely eats anything. What if it eats humans?" Lambert bristled, the creature made an odd noise and then began devouring anything pile of paperwork. Eskel made a devastating noise, reaching out to stop it and found himself with a hand full of crooning fluff. The creature rubbed itself against Eskels hands, crooning and chirring in delight. "So it eats whatever it finds, hates sorceresses and likes Eskel and Lambert." Vesemir mused thoughtfully, observing the ball of fluff with interest.

Geralt curiously reached out and when it didn't growl at him, began petting it. Much to its delight, if the noises it made were any indication. "Maybe it just likes witchers," Yennefer mused. She looked like she wanted to take the being apart to see how it worked.

"What we need to do, is figure out how much it needs to eat, how to stop it from wandering off and what it might attack so we can avoid the thing just wandering around, eating residents." Vesemir spoke up, notebook in hand and already making notes. Lambert sighed and rubbed his face. "Fuck, look I can take it hunting. See how much it eats or if it can hunt for itself."

"I'll come along, make sure it doesn't wander off." Eskel volunteers to go with Lambert. Obviously wanting to keep an eye on the younger wolf and make sure the creature didn't hurt him. "Thanks," Lambert grunted, twitching when his creation hopped over to him and began chirping and bobbing up and down. "Wonder what that means," one of the school heads piped up curiously. Lambert picked the creature up and let it rest in his arms against his chest. It quieted down immediately and crooned at him.

"Well, we know who it likes best." Yennefer pointed out. She itched to let her Chaos examine the critter, whatever it was, it was new and exiting. Who knows what secrets it held, what it could tell her, what discoveries there were to be made.

"Right, let's hunt. Get it fed and then figure out what exactly you created." Vesemir decided, snapping his notebook shut. And hunt they did. Lambert headed out with Eskel, whilst Vesemir and Geralt got the lab ready with Yennefer.

The creature turned out to be able to leap onto animals once it got into range but couldn't hunt down anything on its own. It relied on Lambert to get it close and then leapt forward, razor sharp teeth digging into skin and muscle and swelling a massive bite, leaving a bleeding neck behind with a huge chunk of meat and muscle just gone. It devoured its kill at a rapid speed and didn't even leave bones behind for scavengers. Eskel winced as the creature crunched its way through the bones of a bear. And it hadn’t been the first kill either. No Lambert’s creation had devoured two deer, a wild boar, sixteen rabbits, two hares, and now a bear. It also uprooted a few plants and ate a bunch of poisonous herbs. Lambert approached it with two rabbits in his hands and held them out, the creature made no move to eat them, so the redhead tied the dead animals to his belt and picked up his deadly creation. "Seems like it enough," he decided, cradling it close to his chest. It let out a burping noise and then cooed. Eskel gave him a disturbed look, "Lambert, it just ate two deer, a boar, sixteen rabbits, two hares, and a whole bear. Bones and all. I sure hope it's done eating."

The redhead shrugged, glancing down at the fluffball in his arms. "Let's get it to Vesemir." He turned around and headed back to the keep, figuring out what the creature was, was next on the list of things to do.

#witcher #lambert #the alchemy project #accidental creature #tribble pygmypuff hybrid #geralt of rivia #vesemir #Marlene AWAU

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musings-from-mars · 2 years

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@dragonslayer-week 2022 Day 5 (July 29): Medieval

With each tug of the straps around his rips, Jaune let out a short grunt. It was a rhythmic "ugh, ugh, ugh," as Yang secured the metal plate to his chest. And it was already getting really hot under his hoodie now. But he would endure; he was doing this out love.

Jaune really didn't know anything about knights, or fantasy, or renaissance fairs, but Yang was really hyped for this. The Vale Historical Society was putting on their annual event, and Yang wanted to fully commit to the old-timey bit. That meant outfitting Jaune with a full suit of armor, and outfitting herself with the most accurate Middle Ages garb she could acquire.

"I still think you're more the knight type," Jaune said, watching Yang secure the leather straps that held his various metal plates in place. He currently had on a chest plate, gauntlets, greaves and boots.

"Shush! Let the master do her work," Yang insisted, then let out a huff and stood up to admire her work. She nodded. "Alright, now for the finishing touch."

"What's that?"

She went over to her "workbench" (a fold-out table set up in their apartment's living room) and picked up a big, fancy looking metal helmet.

"I feel like putting that thing on is going to cut my ears off," Jaune said.

"Don't worry! It's got squishy padding inside!" Yang assured him, then lifted the helmet up. He leaned forward metal clanking and grinding already, and for some reason held his breath as she put the helmet on him. It just...felt like the sort of thing he should do?

Fortunately, Jaune's ears were still attached, and the helmet was decently comfortable. He looked at Yang through the narrow gap in the face shield and shrugged his metal-clad shoulders. "How do I look?"

Yang bit her lip and put a knuckle to her chin. "Mmm, handsome~"

Jaune was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Ah. Now I see why I'm the knight. You have a thing for suits of armor."

"And so what if I want to be a helpless princess in need of saving from an evil sorcerer?" Yang asked, placing the back of her hand to her forehead. "Only for a brave, handsome knight to come and rescue me, and take me back to his castle..."

"Right, on the back of my mighty steed, Bumblebee," Jaune joked. "Again, I think you're more the knight type, but..." He took couple steps forward. He sounded like a poorly secured crate of cooking supplies in the back of a pickup truck. "I guess...if you were in need of rescue, I'd do everything in my power to save you."

Yang grinned and fake-swooned, throwing her arms around him and resting her face against his chest plate. "Ohh brave knight! What would have become of me had you not appeared and fought so valiantly! Oh, what could someone such as me possibly do to repay this tremendous deed?"

Jaune tried to think of something in-character to say, but he didn't really know how knights talked, so instead he just kind of awkwardly wrapped his arms around her. "I'll...keep you safe in case that evil sorcerer comes back?"

Yang giggled and thumbed her hand against his chest plate. "You're such a dork."

"A valiant dork?"

She chuckled and kissed his helmet. "Very. Now, I'll get changed real quick, then we'll head to the fair!"

"Wait, I have to walk all the way there in this?" He asked.

She smiled innocently at him, then turned. "Oh, my brave knight!" Yang said dramatically as she swooned and stumbled towards the bedroom. "What bravery, what strength, what broad shoulders~!"

Jaune sighed, hunching forward. Yang was so cute...it made all this worth it. Even if it was August, in Vale, midday, and he was covered in metal...oh boy...

#dragonslayerweek #dragonslayer #rwby #yang xiao long #jaune arc

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birbleafs · 1 year

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[fic] The Little Shoppe of Favours

Series: Jujutsu Kaisen Rating: T Characters/Pairings: Fushiguro Megumi/Itadori Yuuji (FushiIta), Gojou Satoru, Nanami Kento, Ijichi Kiyotaka, Tsukumo Yuki, Yoshino Junpei, Iori Utahime, Kugisaki Nobara, Saori, Fushiguro Tsumiki, Ryoumen Sukuna, Gyokuken. Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Fantasy, Friendship, Humor, Witches. Summary: It's hard work being a dimension witch, weaving spells and granting favours. Still, Yuuji manages somehow, navigating the idiosyncrasies of the heart with some help along the way. Witch AU. A/N: I can finally share the SFW fic I wrote for Citrus: AllYuuji Zine ! I've had so much fun writing this piece for the zine :’) Many thanks also to Digi, my best bro and beta, for always enabling/helping with my writing ❤

Fic can be read on AO3. __________

“A-ha, speak of the devil! You must be my missing apprentice.” Yuuji straightens up from where he’d braced himself against the circular doorway, flustered from his earlier sprint. Standing tall and wiry before him is one Gojou Satoru, all smiles and impossibly blue eyes—blue, like an entire world grasped within his palm—glinting behind the shades perched stylishly over the bridge of his nose. Gojou Satoru, exactly 190 centimetres of leg, vivaciousness, and insufferable swagger in the flesh. Few can match the nauseating charm exuded by a single being. Or at least, that was how Yuuji’s mother Kaori had described Gojou while she’d recited the pages of last week’s Celebrity Witches And Fashion Undisasters magazine. Among the witching community, however, Gojou is known as the All-Seer Six Eyes, Public Menace of the Many-Realms. Gramps had grumbled about how the title sounded ridiculously pompous, obnoxious even. But Yuuji can only gaze up at the man with a mix of curiosity and awe now, marvelling still at his own novice’s luck of the draw to land two years of apprenticeship not only at one of the oldest Liminal Dimension Checkpoints, but also under the direct tutelage of the Realms’ most powerful witch.

The thought pulls Yuuji back to the present. He bows hastily at Gojou, apologetic. “I’m Itadori Yuuji, newly-apprenticed to Gojou-sensei and unfortunately late for my first day of apprenticeship!” Yuuji greets with fervour. “But I got caught up helping an old lady out of a tree and then took a wrong turn when a grizzled cat pointed me in the opposite direction. Please excuse my tardiness!”

There’s a twinkle of mirth behind those pitch-black shades as Gojou draws himself to his full height. He beckons at the youth sitting at a workbench behind him. “Come say hello, Megumi.” Yuuji is excited to be working alongside a fellow apprentice, but he falters slightly at Megumi’s sombre gaze, at the aloof nod he returns as acknowledgement when Gojou ushers Yuuji to sit beside him. “He gets tetchy at times, but he usually means well,” Gojou tuts teasingly, ruffling Megumi’s already-tousled hair, much to his irritation. “This is Fushiguro Megumi, my ward and first apprentice.” “Hi.” Yuuji works up a smile despite his nervousness. “I hope we’ll work well together, Fushiguro!” “Megumi’s just fine,” Megumi replies steadily. “And likewise.” Yuuji’s curiosity grows when he notices the ginger striped tabby curled on Megumi’s lap, and the snow-white dog sitting attentively by his feet. “Are these your pets? They’re cute!” Megumi’s stoic demeanour cracks a little, then; he blinks owlishly, brows furrowed. “They’re not pets, they’re daemons bound to me with a pact.” “Daemons?” Yuuji crouches to pet the dog’s ruff. “You mean familiars, right? Gramps said I should’ve gotten one to help me channel my cursed energy to weave better spells.” “Daemons are different,” Megumi says, shaking his head. “Haku’s an elfin hound from the Tinúvel realms, and Sukuna supposedly is a centuries-old sorcerer cursed to live out the remainder of his nine lives as a daemon cat. Or so he claims.” He glances down when the tabby nuzzles against his touch, and continues: “Unlike familiars, you can’t just buy them from the witches’ menagerie or adopt one like any stray with cursed energy. Daemons are far more powerful—wild, mystical beasts that need to be tamed first. And just like a contract with witches, they cannot be forced into a pact.” “Huh. I don’t suppose a tasty treat would help?” Yuuji asks, chuckling when Haku licks at him. Megumi scowls, as though affronted by the suggestion. “No, I tame them by duelling. If the daemon acknowledges a witch’s strength, they may agree to the pact and bound themselves for life… H-Hey, listen, I said they aren’t pets!” But Yuuji is already pulling out a sandwich from his bag and breaking off a piece midway through Megumi’s explanation. He offers it first to Sukuna, who only curls his lips in distaste and gags, before Haku leans in to lap up the morsel enthusiastically from Yuuji’s hand, tail wagging in assent. “You want more treats, old girl? Aw yes, you do!” Yuuji coos when Haku gulps down the rest of his lunch. “Daemons don’t need treats!” Megumi bristles. “My, my,” Gojou’s snicker cuts through the commotion. “Looks like my cute apprentices are getting along fairly well.” “We are not,” Megumi pouts sulkily at the same time Yuuji’s grin grows brighter as he chirps, “We sure are!” Still, even Megumi can’t quell the tiny smile on his lips when Sukuna smacks Yuuji over the nose with an annoyed paw.

The Little Shoppe of Favours looks nothing like a fancy establishment from the outside. At first glance, it almost seems out of place in the busy market square, nestled between two newer, larger stores—a bakery that doubles as a bustling cafe and a florist with pristine, white-washed walls. In contrast, the Shoppe is old, decrepit with garishly bright orange awnings, drab curtains, and a crooked wooden sign hanging over the front that looks ready to fall off at any moment. Still, Yuuji finds it quaint and cosy inside, its shelves lined with scrolls, inkwells, and jars of gleaming dust, the wispy but soothing scents of bergamot, cinnamon, and liquorice lingering in the air. And despite its shabby exterior, customers still find themselves drawn to the Shoppe by some strange, inviting force they can’t quite explain, not until they cross the threshold of the circular door and realise a favour they need. There’s a chime of bells, the creak of wood, and— “Welcome, welcome!” Gojou merrily greets his first customer of the day. “We offer readings, Faustian bargains, and grant favours…! Oh, it’s just you.” He glowers at the tall woman waltzing up to the counter. “Yuki. My nemesis.” Yuki matches his flippant tone with a coy smirk of her own, carding gloved fingers through her blonde hair. “Hm, I prefer to think of us as friendly rivals—nemesis is so archaic. Besides, it’s unlike you to be hung up on age-old family feuds.” “Focus, Itadori.” Nanami’s stern voice jolts through Yuuji, then. He turns back to his workbench, dipping his head in apology, first at the older witch beside him, and then at the customer before them. It’s a familiar routine: Gojou and Yuki trading snarky comebacks the moment they set eyes upon the other. Yuuji would’ve continued being enthralled by their bickering, and at Gojou’s petty insistence of My new apprentice Yuuji is definitely a hundred times cuter than your gorilla Toudou! if not for Nanami’s admonition. Yuuji tries to ignore the distraction and sounds of squabbling, focusing his attention back to the customer’s wish. Ijichi Kiyotaka is a simple man, an accountant working at a prominent tax company. He excels at his tasks, frequently earning the praise of his supervisors and having earned the spot of Employee Of The Month no less than five times within the past six months. However, while he gets along with his colleagues, he lacks the subtleties in effective courtship. Thus, his high-school crush has only ever viewed their relationship as cordial and platonic—something he wishes dearly to change. “If it isn’t too much, could I request a charm…?” Yuuji sees Nanami furrowing his brows. “Love charms are indeed the easiest way, but it’s against my principles to offer them. Matters of the heart should be managed with utmost care and sincerity, not deception.” Ijichi stares blankly at them, only to grow mortified, his cheeks a dusty pink now. “A-ah, no, you misunderstand! It’s tempting, of course, but I didn’t mean a love potion. I wanted to request a charm for myself… F-for confidence! A-and the courage to ask her out on a date! That is all.” Nanami considers Ijichi’s request for a silent moment, before he turns to Yuuji. “Itadori,” he says, and Yuuji snaps to attention, eyes wide. “If you would, please weave a spell for Ijichi-san.” Yuuji sets to work, apprehensive and excited all at once. It’s the third time he’s assisted Nanami with a customer but the first time he’s attempting a spell on his own. He glances over at Ijichi, studying the shifting patterns in the glow of the man’s residuals as he begins to conjure the charm, weaving threads of cursed energy together with his rowan wand. He’s flustered when he mixes up the weaving a few times, but Nanami firmly encourages him with a pointer or two, until he manages the spell just right. “That will do, Itadori,” Nanami says with a satisfied nod, and Yuuji beams at the acknowledgement. He watches as Nanami tips the glowing blue spell into a jar, sealing it with a cork and paper talisman. “Two drops mixed with wild honey in your morning tea for a week. You should find your confidence then, if you still wish for it.” Ijichi’s already bowing gratefully when Nanami places the jar before him. “A witch’s spell works best in exchange for an offering of equal or similar value to the customer’s wish. What would you offer for this favour to be granted?” Ijichi mulls it over and brightens considerably. “There’s a nice bakery near my workplace. It isn’t much, but as a show of my gratitude, I’ll send over a selection of their best pastries.” Two weeks later, a box filled with freshly baked chocolate orange tartlets, peach marzipan puffs, and bergamot ginger cookies arrive at the Shoppe from one very satisfied Ijichi Kiyotaka. The scent is enticing enough for Megumi to peek up curiously from his scrolls, and for Gojou and Yuki to halt their routine bickering to marvel over the delicacies. Yuuji’s savouring a bite of his orange tartlet when a thought strikes him. He turns to Nanami, who is sipping away contentedly at his coffee. “Sorry, Nanamin, I’d forgotten it then…” Yuuji begins, sheepish. “My spell had confidence woven in but what about courage? Ijichi had wished for it too.” He deflates, already prepared for a lengthy chastisement. Nanami’s expression softens, however, lips curved with a rare smile as he says, “Ijichi-san always had courage; it’s what led him here in the first place.” Yuuji can only beam in agreement.

Unlike many witches, weaving spells and complex enchantments doesn’t come naturally for Yuuji. He isn’t as attuned to the subtle intricacies of cursed energy. Even so, when he’d bemoaned his lack of talent once, Gojou had only smirked, wide and sly in the way that only Gojou can. “You may lack innate techniques and can only manage basic spells for now, but the raw strength behind your cursed energy is still potent, Yuuji. With discipline and practice, it’d be enough for you to weave effective enchantments. In many situations, practised skill often trumps talent alone.” Yuuji sighs again, stuffing the parchment back into his bag. “I know he was being encouraging, but what does ‘Not Half-Bad, Needs More Delicacy☆~!’ mean? How’s that even an assessment grade?!” Beside him, Junpei chuckles. “Gojou’s a pretty unconventional mentor, huh? You seem like you’re having fun though, Yuuji. I’m glad… Anyway, I found that title you wanted, and from the library, no less.” Junpei holds up a book, its cover worn with creases and faded prints. Yuuji’s eyes grow wide when he recognises it as the out-of-print mystery graphic novel he had been searching all over the Many-Realms for. “You found Grengor’s most elusive title?! It sold so poorly compared to the others, I almost thought I’d dreamt it up. You’re amazing, Junpei!” They fuss over the book for several moments, both going into a spiel about how it’d been a shame, that even fans of Grengor couldn’t fathom or appreciate the themes she’d written into the controversial piece, how it was still classic Grengor story-telling despite the convoluted visuals. “Oh, that reminds me,” Yuuji says. “Did you apply for the library apprenticeship?” Junpei blanches and looks away, flustered. “I-I’m not cut out for it, really…” “C’mon, Junpei, you’re a great fit! You’re resourceful, and you’ve probably read more books and watched more films than anyone else in the Many-Realms! …Okay, that’s an exaggeration but you get what I mean, right?” It takes a bit of gentle wheedling, but Junpei finally agrees in the end. Yuuji spends the next two days practising spells, weaving wisps of soothing lavender and chamomile together into a charm for luck, with just a pinch of dragon’s breath for daring. He presses the sachet into Junpei’s hand the morning of the interview, nodding encouragingly. Junpei manages for all of three minutes, only to get tongue-tied and frazzled by nerves. He nearly gives up at that point, but Yuuji suddenly barges right into the middle of it, firing away at Junpei with a pop quiz on random book and film trivia. All of which Junpei answers with speedy accuracy, much to the amusement and delight of the Head Librarian. She decides she quite likes Junpei then, and his knack for quoting passages from all 47 titles of Grengor’s epics, as well as his uncanny ability to hum cheesy melodies from her favourite films. “Passionate and reliable!” she declares at the end. “Just what this drab old library needs!” And thus, Junpei finds himself apprenticed to one Iori Utahime, Head Librarian and Keeper of the Oldest Witching Repository. Maybe Gojou’s right about practice after all.

Yuuji knows Nobara isn’t bad with spells and protective charms. She’s exceptionally good with deflecting hexes placed upon a person, easily unravelling the cursed threads entwined around their souls with her rosewood wand and spearing the hexes unto folded paper dolls instead with a long silver hairpin. Sometimes, though, even a witch’s spell alone can’t grant favours. Sometimes, actual practical, hands-on culinary expertise is required, and sitting here dejected amidst their losses, Yuuji realises again how woefully un-skilled they are in the baking department. “I shouldn’t have asked you,” Nobara groans miserably. “We could’ve won otherwise!” “We barely made it at twenty-seventh place—that’s far from winning,” Yuuji counters, indignant. “Besides, I’m good with roasts and stews, not baking. You never said anything about a bake-off!” “Megumi vouched for you! Said you were good in the kitchen, the perfect male wife! That besotted liar.” “A male what—” “I’m sorry, Saori, for letting Yuuji ruin everything!” Nobara wails into her girlfriend’s cloak, ignoring Yuuji's perplexed glare. “I know how much you wanted the prize!” But Saori only laughs brightly, smothering Nobara with a hug instead. “It’s fine! Like sure, we didn’t win, but we had fun, didn’t we? We should do this again.” “You mean lose another competition we’re laughably unqualified for?” Yuuji attempts playfully, earning himself a sharp jab in the ribs from Nobara. “No, silly,” Saori chuckles again. She lifts a burnt lemon puff with her fingers, pressing it to Nobara’s lips. “Just baking for each other, soggy biscuits and all.” Nobara’s eyes are glimmering constellations for the rest of the day. Yuuji sighs; at least one of them got a wish granted.

The girl enters the Shoppe with tentative steps, as though uncertain how her feet had led her in through the creaking door. Her hesitation lasts but a heartbeat, a ripple of time slipping through vast dimensionless space; soon, she’s introducing herself—“I’m Tsumiki, thank you for attending to me!”—as she takes a seat before Yuuji, expressing a simple but earnest wish. A gift to mend a relationship with family, an apology for harsh, hurtful words exchanged in a heated argument. Yuuji considers the request, studying the girl’s sombre expression. She’s pretty, with long dark hair pulled into a ponytail, a blue lily barrette clasped in her fringe. Yuuji isn’t sure, but she looks about his age, maybe a year or two older. “It’s not that we’ve never argued before,” Tsumiki continues, shaking her head. “But he makes me so mad sometimes, I get impulsive! Even if I don’t mean to, honest…” “I’m sure it’s not as bad as it seems,” Yuuji begins, only for Tsumiki to sigh dispiritedly. “I… might’ve accidentally upended a tropical monsoon over him when I knocked his cauldron over during the argument. Luckily, he hadn’t mixed the powdered adder’s fork and calculated pandemonium into the brew yet, otherwise we would’ve lost the house too.” She falls silent for a long moment, eyes downcast, before she smiles gently. “He’s stubborn and petulant, but he’s still my little brother… The only family I’ve got left,” Tsumiki says, rueful now. “I just want him to know that I’m sorry. For yelling and for being silly.” Yuuji nods in sympathy, doing his best to emulate the serene aura of whimsical dreams Gojou had once said they needed to project to all customers—whatever that even means. With Tsumiki’s barrette now placed before them, Yuuji lifts his rowan wand, tracing patterns in the faintest flicker of her cursed energy to weave a spell, a mandala drawn from the residual emotions, of cautious hope and fierce affection. At first, he thinks he’s made a mistake, but three more careful readings only conjure the same images, all pointing to this exact moment in the slipstream of Time. He turns to Tsumiki with a puzzled look. The sudden chime of bells breaks the lull; Megumi steps through the door, a weighty tome and his ash wand clutched in one arm, brows arched in surprise when he sees them both. “A-ah, Megumi!” “Tsumiki, why…? Yuuji, what’s going on?” Yuuji blinks wordlessly when Tsumiki jumps to her feet and bows. “I’m sorry for the confusion! I wasn’t sure if this was the right place since it’s not even listed in any of the town maps. But I’d only wanted to look for Megumi after he’d stormed off, and…” “And still, your wish led you here nonetheless.” Yuuji’s hazel eyes brighten with understanding. “Because you’re his sister.” Tsumiki fidgets with the hem of her coat, but nods. She meets Megumi’s placid gaze when he approaches Yuuji’s workbench, her lips pursed in resolve as she swallows the anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Megumi, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have—” “I’m sorry, Tsumiki,” Megumi interjects, his expression pinched with regret. “I said awful things that hurt you. I was being childish, but that’s still not an excuse for it. I apologise.” There’s a short, tense silence, and suddenly, Tsumiki lets out a soft, awkward chuckle. “I didn’t mean to laugh, honest!” she says sheepishly at the boys’ confused expressions. “It’s just—well, it’s the first time you’ve apologised so formally, Megumi. It’s almost unlike you.” “I was being sincere, stupid sister,” Megumi grouses in mild exasperation as Tsumiki hugs him, contrite. Still, he doesn’t pull away, lips curved into the gentlest of smiles, and Yuuji realises how affectionate and protective the siblings are of one another. Tsumiki thanks Yuuji for his help, but not before she makes him promise to stop by for dinner later that evening. As she takes her leave, Yuuji feels Megumi ease into the seat beside him, their shoulders bumping lightly in the movement. “The rescue centre downtown…” Megumi begins tentatively, balancing his ash wand between his fingers. “We should visit it someday. Together.” When Yuuji only stares at him blankly, uncomprehending, Megumi frowns slightly in hesitance. “You’d always wanted a dog, right? Not all strays are suitable as a witch’s familiar, but they can still make good companions. You can find out more about the responsibilities involved and see if you’re still keen about adopting one. I can help you through the process if you’d like…” Yuuji’s already grinning, bright as the sun, eyes sparkling at the prospect. “Of course I’d love that! You’re the best, Megumi!” “Stop hollering into my ear like that, idiot,” Megumi sighs, before they share another laugh. And Yuuji thinks, then, that perhaps the best favours are the ones granted unasked.

—End—

_________ - I know some might be wondering, but this AU isn't inspired by or based on Witch Hat Atelier at all LOL. I haven't actually read WHA yet while I was writing this fic last year. So I was really going for the imagery of witchy, fantasy magick that I grew up with reading old DWJ books (Chrestomanci series, anyone?). - This AU is, however, very loosely inspired by xxxHolic, hence the term 'dimension witch'. Gojou doesn't need to be drunk to be chaotic, though, I guess? - How many times am I going to write Sukuna as a literal cat (daemon or otherwise) in my AUs? As many times as I can get away with it. Lol. - Comments are always lovely—if you've enjoyed this, I'd love to hear what you think. Thank you for reading :')

#jujutsu kaisen #fushiita #itadori yuuji #fushiguro megumi #gojou satoru #kugisaki nobara #i call this my witch not!atelier AU lol #but it's really more inspired by CLAMP #fanfic #zine fic #allyuuji zine

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goldenfingerprints · 2 years

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@ironifiicd continued from here x.

There's a dry laugh at the other's question, rubbing his forehead with his free hand as he puts down his wrench on his workbench to give Stephen his full attention. "I don't know if calling myself a monster is the perfect thing I'd use to describe myself but I think it's a start." The inventor mused to himself as he leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on his jeans as the cogs turn in his head scrounging for an appropriate answer.

"I've reached the conclusion that everyone around me usually dies in some horrible way, so I mitigate the damage by making sure innocent people are as far away as possible so they're not caught in the crossfire." There is a list of names that runs through the Avenger's head, all of the people who had been killed because of him or had died for him. Back during his early days as Iron Man he'd written them all in an old journal, his own form of penance forcing himself to remember but also holding himself accountable to do better than how he'd been to the people he had failed. "I'm tired of having anyone within a certain radius become collateral damage, I may not be a beast with sharp fangs and horns but I know I'm a weapon of mass destruction who's already wiped out enough lives as it is."

Strange keeps his arms crossed as Tony speaks. He may have been crossing bounds a bit by asking Tony that sort of question but he was curious, and while the two of them were very different, there were decent similarities between the two of them, even as much s Strange might not like to admit it.

There’s not usually very much sympathy for Tony Stark but the more he speaks, the more Strange finds himself counting how that sounds very similar. He knows the feeling. Every time he lost a patient, he blamed himself, was hard on himself as he focused on what went wrong, what he could have done better. Then there was everyone he’d hurt once he’d become a sorcerer. Christine was on the top of that list, of course, with how he’d treated her after the loss of his hands. Then he’d killed for the first time when trying to stop Kaecilius and he still blamed himself for the Ancient One. So he understood - and he thought the same way about himself.

It’s difficult to find the words and he’s got the urge to comfort him, if only because he was the one who’d drawn the question. But it’s always been difficult for him to express things so deep and he struggles to find something to say.

“I get it. I wouldn’t say monster is the right word either but - a detriment, a liability. Weapon of mass destruction sums it up pretty well, I think.” Though he’s speaking in reference to himself now, agreeing with Stark’s sentiment.

“I thought maybe those kinds of thoughts would go away once I quit being a doctor, but now - more power means more death, more destruction. And I guess those kinds of things stick with you.” The words that he just wanted to help people stuck in his throat. He didn’t want Tony’s sympathy and he hadn’t meant for the conversation to turn this way, but here they were.

#ironifiicd #tbh I don't really know what verse to put this in

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snarkyship-main · 3 years

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A Sorcerer and his Familiar 🍃

Stephen has never liked witches and their craft, but something he has always envied them was the ability to create a magical bond with animals. He was about to give up on finding a familiar, when he came across an injured, green-eyed barn owl with a strong magical trace. While taking care of it, Stephen discovered that, while the creature was truly a little shit, the compatibility between their magic was extraordinary! Therefore the sorcerer decided to take the owl as familiar, unaware that the animal was actually the witch Loki, trapped in that body because of a little mistake...

((yes, he matched his outfit to the owl))

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inhuman-obey-me · 3 years

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Congratulations on 999 followers

Could you maybe do MC and Solomon for 🎭

Thank you!!

"You want to see the real me?" - Solomon/MC

The sun’s gentle rays peak through the window of this abode, warm light spilling onto the workbench full of books and vials and jars. There’s a smell of sandalwood and amber in the air from the incense you lit earlier, and it mingles now with the scent of old tomes -- pages worn by centuries past, riddled with notes and creases from use. It is a serene scene … or at least it would be if not for your rising agitation with one very particular sorcerer.

Solomon had a way with words, a tongue as silver as his wispy locks. He always found a way to persuade, to entice, to distract. Your lessons with him, where he took on his role of Master and you Apprentice, were some of the rare moments where he would be straightforward. His usually cryptic responses were absent as he guided you through a new spell or potion, but the moment the lesson was over, his ambiguous words and teasing smile would be back -- as if they never left in the first place.

He sits now mere steps from you, his gaze focused on one of the many books present, chin resting in his hand as a finger taps his lips. It was easy to get lost in how handsome he looked at times like this, the light passing through the various potions and translucent crucibles splashing the walls with vibrant colors and framing him as if he was set amid stained glass. A reminder of who and what all he was -- and somehow, yours, or so he would have you believe.

“When?”

“When what, love?” He throws a glance in your direction, his concentration now broken.

“When are you going to start being honest with me?” Your fingers tightly grip the grimoire in your hands, one he had handed to you just moments ago in an attempt to dissuade you from a certain line of questioning. “Why do you keep shutting me out?”

“I’m not -- “ He starts, but then cuts himself short. To say he wasn’t would be a lie, he must have realized. Solomon turns to you with an unreadable expression, that annoying mask of his firmly in place. “It’s just … not the right time. You still have so much to learn -- “

“You say that every damn time!” You slam the grimoire down on a nearby table, earning a slight wince from your teacher. “When will it be the ‘right time’? All I want is to get to know you, Solomon. The real you, but you keep putting up a wall whenever it seems I’m getting too close.” Your frustrations spill from your lips, unable to hold yourself back now that you’ve started. “I’ve been so open and vulnerable to you, but you still keep yourself all locked up.” There’s a sting at the corner of your eyes now, your voice beginning to waver. “Do you even want to be with me?”

“Of course I do!” His mask breaks, panic clear on his features as he quickly gets up and grabs a hold of your arms, squeezing them firmly. “I want to be with you more than anything!”

“Then why?” You stare into his blue-brown eyes, your vision slightly blurry as tears begin to stain your cheeks. “Why won’t you let me in?”

He’s silent for a moment, lips pressed together as he tries to find the right words. His grip on you loosens, gaze lowering as a heavy sigh finally leaves him. His hands travel down your arms, finding your fingers to intertwine with his own. “You want to see the real me?” There’s a husk to his voice, his eyes going to meet yours again. “What if I told you that you might not like what you see?”

“Solomon.” You lean forward, touching your forehead to his as you hold his pained and regretful gaze. “Nothing you tell me will change my opinion of you. I love you, and that means all of your buried skeletons, too.” Your lips find his, giving him a chaste kiss. “Just … trust me. Please.”

“Okay.” His voice is barely above a whisper, and you can tell he’s terrified. You squeeze his hands, and he takes a deep breath, nodding. “Okay. Where shall we begin?”

#obey me #obey me swd #obey me!#obey me shall we date #obey me solomon #om! solomon #obey me solomon x mc #obey me solomon x reader #obey me fic #obey me drabble #999 follower celebration #writings #drabble #obey me angst #the all encompassing [mod] cosmos #please I just want to hold the sorcerer ... tell him everything's okay ...#this one got a bit longer than the others oops

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amayaonly1 · 2 years

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A Lil’ Oopsie - Lesson 10 [End] (Obey Me x Female!MC/Reader)

@strawberry-moonpies And... it's a wrap! This marks the end of MC's adventure as a toddler. Thank you so much for your support! Seeing you enjoy this little series brought me much motivation to push through the occasional writer's block and hectic schedule of my own. Who knows what other Obey Me stories I'll write in the near future? Until then, take care, and stay safe! 🥰

Other work: Diavolo's Cousin from Hell

A Lil' Oopsie mini-series:

"No! You're not supposed to eat that!"

"Why?"

"It's uncooked!"

"Cupcake, no?"

"MC, that's just raw batter."

"Ba-ter... is cupcake!"

"No, not yet! You'll get stomach pain if you eat it at is!"

Simeon, who'd been preparing the chocolate icing at the workbench, watched the exchange and let out an amused chuckle. "Calm down, Luke," he advised. "While I did say that this is the MC that we know, I think her current state is making her behave like a human child. You ought to simplify your sentences to make her comprehend what you said."

Before the toddler could dip her finger into the mixture, the said angel quickly shoved the baking tray into the preheated oven. Shutting the door, he turned around and exasperatedly said, "I know, but what happens if something happens to her while I wasn't looking?"

"Don't worry about it," assured Diavolo, who was standing next to the oblivious toddler with an apron on him. "I don't mind looking after her while you're preoccupied."

"My Lord," called Barbatos nonchalantly. "I'm certain that what he meant did not involve dabbing each other's faces with cupcake batter."

"Aw... But MC and I had so much fun!" The young Prince then glanced at the toddler and winked at her as he drawled out, "Right?" To which, she placed her small hands on her mouth and giggled. Luke could only sigh in defeat while Simeon let out a sheepish chuckle.

"I see that you're all having fun here."

Everyone's head snapped into the source's direction. The first to react was Luke, who seemed relieved to see the person standing at the entrance.

"Solomon!" he greeted. "You're finally here!"

"Hey," followed Simeon with a wave. "Or should I say, 'Welcome back.'"

If Solomon hadn't been so busy that he wasn't able to sleep and eat properly, then the past few days had truly tested his perseverance; and Luke and Simeon knew this better than anyone. As soon as the entrance to the Purgatory Hall swung open, the sorcerer went straight to his room, barely even greeting the two angels who'd been expecting him for dinner.

Once the wooden door shut behind him, he marched towards his table where he placed the outlandish plant and spellbook. Like a mad scientist, he rummaged through his large archive, pulling one spellbook after another and leaving them wide open on the table, and made concoctions from the plant extract.

At first, the two concerned angels thought this was very strange. Perhaps it was another one of those weird assignments his teacher delegated, they'd think. So while he was preoccupied inside his room, they would take turns dropping by his room to bring him food, and then returning to collect the empty dishes left outside.

Luke was especially worried, for he felt like it was his first time witnessing this side of Solomon. But Simeon would have to assure him that the said sorcerer was probably involved in something urgent and hectic that he could only sacrifice mere minutes for food and rest. It did help ease the younger angel a little, but Simeon would be lying if he were to say that he wasn't worried about their friend either.

And when Solomon finally left his room and told them the truth, they weren't sure whether they should feel relieved that they at least got a transparent answer behind the hecticness, or be very concerned that MC had been transformed into a human child in a place like Devildom.

MC's eyes lit up, and she babbled, "Solomo'!" She scrambled down the chair and dashed towards him.

The said sorcerer, too, gleamed. He knelt down with his arms out, and right when she hugged him, he wrapped one arm around her waist to pick her up, holding her by his waist as he stood.

"Good to see you, too, MC," he greeted. "It has been a while since we last saw each other. I must say, you've been getting prettier by the day." A shy smile broke across her face. She shoved her face into the crook of his neck, letting out a meek coo.

"Oi, Solomon." Mammon's voice suddenly chimed in. "What's your big deal flirtin' with her? Has hanging out with Asmo turned ya into another creep?"

The champagne-haired demon scoffed. "How rude!"

"Well, I don't see any harm giving a young lady a compliment or two. Besides, I'm here mainly because I need to give MC the antidote."

At that instant, everyone stopped what they were doing.

"Th-That means...!" trailed off Luke.

"Yeah," confirmed the wizard, while his gaze was on the stuffed crow that the little girl was trying to befriend him with. "MC can finally return to her normal self."

When he said that, Solomon was expecting a few sighs of relief and some cheers. While the former might be the case among ones like Lucifer, very surprisingly, murmurs of reluctance reached his ears.

"Eh?" Leviathan was the first to say something. "That means no more The Magical Ruri Hana: Demon Girl marathon?"

"That's a shame," sighed Satan. "I thought we could read one last Grimm's fairy tale tonight."

"Aw..." whined Asmodeus. "I'll miss playing dress-up with our little Sheep-chan!"

"You guys," sighed the Avatar of Pride.

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting such anticlimatic responses," Solomon remarked playfully. "However, I do see why some of you are rather reluctant, given how adorable MC is at her current state. But putting aside the fun and games, I think it's time she should return to her normal self."

"Yeah," agreed Beelzebub. "I kind of miss MC's cooking."

"And using her lap as my pillow," chimed the younger twin. "I dare not do that while MC is a human child."

"Is that all you are worried about?" muttered Simeon with a sheepish smile.

Placing the apron on the workbench, Diavolo couldn't help but allow his gaze to fixate on a certain white-haired demon. "You seemed rather neutral about this, Mammon," he remarked quietly.

"Huh?" The said demon glanced at him initially, before he looked back ahead. "You can say that. But, I mean, she'll be MC regardless of which state she's in. So to me, it doesn't really matter as long as whatever's best for her."

The young Prince let out a low hum. "I see," he responded. A smile then broke across his face as he said, "I must admit, Mammon. I didn't think you'd be the philosophical one here."

"What's that s'posed to mean?!"

"It's time," announced Barbatos. "Let us join Solomon and the rest in the living room."

With everyone else standing around a few feet away, Solomon placed the toddler on the sofa, stepping away from the yawning girl who was still hugging the crow plushie. He knelt in front of her, holding up a small test tube half-filled with transparent seafoam green liquid.

"Would you like to drink some of this, MC?" he offered. "It's sweet, like syrup."

"Can-y?" The girl babbled out of curiosity.

Solomon merely nodded in response. "Yeah, it's something like candy. You'll love it."

MC needn't be told twice. She reached out, to which Solomon helped tilt the glassware to her lips, and began chugging down the substance down to its final drop. Everyone else watched in anticipation.

The sorcerer stepped away, and then, all of a sudden, the toddler was shrouded by a bright green light. It was so glaring that everyone had to shield their eyes and squint, trying to see past the glare to know what was happening, only to no avail.

But at last, the wait was over. The light faded, and instead of a human toddler, there sat a human woman dressed in a grownup version of the maroon gown, donning a pair of matching-coloured pumps and a shiny tiara on her head. The crow plushie dressed in its red cape and tiara was still in her grasp.

"What...?" was the first thing she said, looking very disoriented.

"MC, you're back to normal!" cheered Luke before lunging in for a hug.

"MC~!" Asmodeus joined him clinging to her side while Luke hugged her waist. "I missed you so dearly! Do you miss me? I'm sure you did!"

The said woman was even more confused at this point. "I don't get it. What happened?"

"It's a long story," was Solomon's answer. "But I'm sure the rest are willing to tell you all about it in a while"

"But first," joined Beelzebub, adorning a look of anticipation. "Let's eat some of those cupcakes that you made with Luke and Simeon."

"Cupcakes?" MC repeated.

"Oh, yes," Simeon said with realisation. "I almost forgot about them. Come on, Luke. Let's finish up the cupcakes. After that, we can have them with some tea while MC finds out what had transpired."

"Ah!" The said angel instantly released her. "I better go check on them before they get burned! We'll be right back, MC!" With Simeon trailing behind, he rushed into the kitchen, praying that the cupcakes would still be alright after who knows how long it's been inside the oven.

"Ya heard them," Mammon said. "We've got lotsa explaining to do. Anyway, let go of her, Asmo! How many times do ya need to touch her in three days?"

"Why, Mammon!" sighed the Avatar of Lust. "You should know the answer by now~"

"I can already tell where this is leading to," muttered Satan, shaking his head.

"For once, I agree with Mammon," voiced the youngest sibling.

"That's it!" Leviathan chimed in. "Release her at once! You've had spent far too much time with her!"

"Don't wanna!" The champagne-haired demon whined, clinging onto MC tighter.

"Let go already, ya creep!"

"Who do you think you're calling a creep?. Maybe you should take a look at your scummy self first before opening that mouth of yours!"

"What'd ya say?!"

"Enough!" snapped Lucifer.

Although, as expected, none of the brothers were paying attention to him. They were far too involved in their own business to even be intimidated by the eldest.

"Don't worry," assured Diavolo, placing a hand on Lucifer's shoulder for comfort. "Give them some time, and they'll all calm down."

"I think you're forgetting these are my brothers we're talking about," muttered the eldest demon, heaving an exasperated sigh. Just when he thought the headache would be over once MC returned to her normal state.

The said human, who'd miraculously escaped Asmodeus's grasp before he could drag her into the sibling squabble, turned to Solomon who was watching the exchange with a mild look of amusement.

"Did I really miss out a lot?" she asked.

To which, he merely said, "Oh, rest assured. We have all the time in the world for stories over cupcakes and tea. Anyway, shall we join Simeon and Luke in the kitchen?" With that, the two humans left to join the angels, leaving the demons in the living room to settle down their altercation before they were called over to the dining hall.

#obey me x mc #obey me x reader #obey me fluff #obey me fanfiction

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satyrmagos · 5 months

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A floral pentacle for someone wanting something a little more “stealth” or fantastical.

The back is blank.

Made of solid .925 sterling silver

Pendant is one inch in diameter and 16 gauge thick, sturdy enough to last a lifetime even with rougher-than-average wear.

Upeye bail for a 3mm chain.

Each piece is hand-made to order in my home studio, with unique variations and defects as a result of the fabrication and casting process.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1509822802/pentagram-flora-wicca-witchcraft-pagan

#Jewelry #Art Jewelry #Jewelry Art #Witch Jewelry #Queer Artist #Pentagram #Pentacle #Witch #Wicca #Witchcraft #Pagan #Sorcerer’s Workbench

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paradisoperdita · 3 years

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Heart in Your Hands

Solomon X MC Drabble

Genre: fluff

The room glowed in the artificial sunlight. It had been a few months since Solomon and you had returned to the Devildom, and the two of you missed the sun. Solomon had offered to create the illusion of a warm summer’s day on the condition that you keep him company while he completes his experiment. The decision was easy. You weren’t going to turn down an opportunity like this.

You lounged in the wide window seat, sipped at a homemade lemonade and gazed at a vision of the Devildom under a glorious sun. No matter how often you saw Solomon’s magical prowess, it never failed to astound you. Colourful birds flitted through skeletal trees. Deep hues of violet and indigo glowed like velvet in the garden. Everything was so perfectly serene. Just two people contentedly alone together.

The sorcerer hunched over his workbench. Piled beside him was an eclectic array of strange vials, tomes on enchantment, blocks of heartwood and...woodcarving tools? He spoke continuously, yet his voice was barely above a whisper. It was a droning, almost hypnotic, stream of consciousness. He was unused to having an audience while he worked. His solitary conversation meandered from deciphering instructions, murmuring hexes in forgotten tongues, to an assortment of praises and chastisements about his work. This lulling hum of his voice, coupled with the soft rhythmic scraping of whittling wood, faded into the homely surroundings.

“Ah, f-...! Merlin’s beard!” he cursed as he thrust his finger into his mouth. The carving blade landed with a clank. You craned your neck in the hopes that you could see his face. Solomon’s periodic curses and yelps of pain were harder to ignore.

“Are you ok, Solomon?” You watched his back, but he had already dived back into his task. His voice reverberated as he repeated the incantation; the strain in his words hinted at the immeasurable effort needed to manipulate the threads of cosmic power to his will. You knew better than to disturb him now.

Instead you allowed your mind to wonder over the scene before you: the lone sorcerer immersed in his work. To you the sight was a precious rarity, but to Solomon it was the definition of his eternal existence. For a man that had lived so many lifetimes, accumulated knowledge that transcends the history of mortal thought, and experienced all corners of the earth across its limitless changes, in that moment his world looked so very small. Your presence had long been forgotten. In that moment, you saw a man outside of time. A portrait of a man with the power to create an artificial sun but whose mind was always seeking something greater, in a body that was somehow separate from the grandiosity of his thoughts. A living cautionary tale. Solomon’s work was his world; for one fleeting moment it had become yours too.

With a loud cricking of joints, Solomon stretched and stiffly rose to his feet. You waved at him. He blinked.

“Ah, I’m sorry...I’m afraid I got rather carried away.” His eyes downcast as he rolled his aching shoulders.

“How did the experiment go?” You walked to his desk to help him sweep up the wood shavings.

“Oh yes!” His eyes lit up and he excitedly picked up two delicate chains. He placed one of the necklaces in your palm. He kept the other. “This is for you.” He placed the tomes back on the shelf, stealing glances to gauge your reaction to his gift.

You puzzled over the pendant in your hand. It was made of wood carved into an uncannily familiar shape. It was about two-thirds the size of your little finger, and tapered into a round point. The top was divided into two sections, which connected to four distinct branches. Your fingers curled over the charm and you felt a comforting warmth pulse from its core. There was a distinct rhythm— a heartbeat— it quickened the longer you held it. Solomon fumbled with a book and dropped it. His attention focused on your hands instead of his. Now the shape made sense: it was a human heart. You put the necklace on and picked up the ragged book.

Solomon cleared his throat. “It took a little longer to make than I’d predicted. The heartwood of Crape Myrtle is notoriously difficult to carve at this scale, but it needs to be this wood in particular for the empathetic enchantment to work efficiently. This type of magic is...” His hands busied themselves reorganising the various vials on his workbench. His voice took on the same quality you heard when he spoke to himself. He gave you no chance to answer. “...I’ve always said you had my heart. Now in a way, you do.”

“Is the heartbeat I can feel yours?” you dropped the shavings into the bin and gave him your full attention. His grip on the second not-yet-enchanted necklace tightened. He nodded.

In one reverential movement, you brought your pendant to your lips. You tenderly kissed the very heart of him. The heartbeat softened as he watched you handle the charm with sensitive adoration. Solomon winced as his thoughts returned to his body, and the various cuts on his fingers. You gently took his hands into yours and recited the healing spell that Satan had taught you; you finished it with a kiss to his knuckles.

“Thank you, Solomon. I’ll treasure it.”

“I know you will.” He delicately placed the second necklace back on the desk.

“Does that one have my heartbeat in the wooden heart?”

“Ah, not yet. I wasn’t sure if you...” He met your eyes and furtively held your arms. “I suppose I could show you how to create a charm of your own, then you could gift it to whoever you choose.”

“It would always be you, Solomon.” You fell into his embrace, holding him close and swaying gently. Sunbeams brushed your cheeks and cast a golden light upon Solomon’s face. “My heart will always belong to you.”

His laugh echoed in his chest. He had the power to light up the Devildom, but only you had the power to light up his life.

⭐Credit to these posts/creators for directly inspiring me to write this:⭐

Heartbeat jewellery

Solomon and importance of the heart

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me swd #obey me solomon #om solomon x mc #perdita writes #this is what happens when I write without a clear plan #but I did just want to write about Solomon lost in his work #hopefully his characterisation works in this #om gn! mc #om solomon x reader

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ficrecsbybu · 3 years

Text

WinterIron fic rec 2021: Part I

Note: this fic rec consists only of Bucky Barnes/Tony Stark fics. the only Stucky & Stony you might see is as past relationships but that’s it. it’s also complete works ONLY. also - no underage stuff 🔪. if you have any requests for Winteriron fic recs (for e.g non-superpower au, only one shots, series, hardcore smut, post-tws, college au, not team cap friendly fics, bodyguard au etc.) you can send me requests ^^. anyway... enjoy 😉

✨ The Guiding of Death by RayShippouUchiha

“That whole Merchant of Death thing,” someone off to the side faux whispers, “makes a lot more sense now.”

It echoes across the bridge like a gunshot.

Rated M, Hades & Persephone AU, Canon Divergence, always female Tony Stark, not Team Cap friendly. word count: 41391

(note: listen... I know het pairings and/or gender bend is not popular and I never really read those in general BUT this is straight up one of the best fics I have ever read so I NEEDED to share this with y’all...✌️)

✨ Forms of Love by bear_bell

Tony's the bad guy, after all. He's used to it. He's fine with it. He's good at it.

Only now, there's something far worse loitering around the tower - The Winter Soldier. No one notices the guy at first, but when they do, Tony figures that he should have the soldier's back.

Birds of a feather should flock together, and the bad guys should start a book club.

Rated E, Post-CW, Bucky Barnes & Winter Soldier are Different Personalities, Team Iron Man. word count: 33591

✨ Looking at You by NotEvenCloseToStraight

Bucky looks for so long that now all he wants to do is touch and hold and fix everything. But Tony can barely be in the same room as Bucky, cant even look him in the eye. So Bucky doesn't know what to do about Tony, but he is determined to do something. Because all he wants is to look at Tony, and see Tony looking back with a smile.

Rated E, Post-CW, PTSD, team heals, mental healing, forgiveness, angst with a happy ending. word count: 28,168

✨ I'll Be Your Bodyguard (If You'll Be My Security Blanket) by NarutoRox

When one of Loki's pranks gone wrong leaves the team with a young Winter Soldier in their care, they know they're going to have their hands full. Especially since this newer, tinier version of Bucky seems to have a bodyguard complex - and a particular attachment to Tony.

Rated T, kid fic, age regression/de-aging, de-aged Bucky, tiny bodyguard Bucky. word count: 4,993.

(note: finally something CUTE. Im so sorry for being such a slut for angst and heavy stuff 😅)

✨ Fate Strings Not Required by Akira_of_the_Twilight

Tony took the hint.

Tony wrapped his hand around the new guy’s elbow. He kept his touch light and breakable in case he’d misread the cue.

“Just some guy claiming to be my soul mate, babe.”

The new guy’s eyebrows rose to his hairline in surprise. He chuckled and gave the first guy a smirk. “Strange. Last time I checked we were soul mates.”

Rated T, AU - no superpowers, AU - soulmates, Bodyguard Bucky Barnes, age difference. word count: 7,032.

✨ Shameless by Finely Honed (jaqen_hgar)

Tony isn’t actually sure which of them starts it—he’d like to take credit, but if he’s learned anything it’s that Barnes is by no means a wilting flower. Besides, the start doesn’t matter as much as figuring out who’s going to actually finish it.

rated M, flirting, dirty talk, sexual tension. word count: 2,560

✨ Winter Wooer by salytierra

Winter may not be the most pleasant guy to live or share your body with, but he isn't nearly as destructive as everybody expected him to be either. He likes to brood in the corners, watch British TV, and freak people out. And Tony. He really, really likes Tony Stark. There's just one problem – Bucky's pretty sure he doesn't feel the same way about the guy.

Rated M, Bucky Barnes & Winter Soldier are Different Personalities, team as family. word count: 8,726

✨ Even Darkness Must Pass by Finely Honed (jaqen_hgar)

“Fake it till you make it,” Bucky whispered to himself, swallowing around his panic. Sam had drilled the idea into him, and it had become a mantra of sorts, something to hold onto when all he wanted to do was blend into the shadows and disappear.

“You’ll be fine.”

Steve placed a warm, strong hand on Bucky’s shoulder and squeezed, his super soldier ears having picked up Bucky uttering the now familiar saying.

Bucky nodded, tried to believe his own words, and followed Steve onto the common floor, a wall of sound hitting them as they entered.

rated M (but mild sexual content), parent Tony Stark, Bucky Barnes recovering, team as family, of love and hobbits 🧝🏻‍♂️. word count: 15,289

✨ Paths Are Made by Walking by Potrix

The road to recovery is long, winding and a different one for every person walking it. Bucky chooses to help himself the only way he knows how; by doing what he does best.

Or, alternatively; the one in which Tony is a mess and accidentally kick-starts Bucky’s protective mother hen instincts.

rated T, post-TWS, fluff, humour, getting together, idiots in love. word count: 4,744.

✨ Rise In Perfect Light (Be Not Fearful Of The Night) by RayShippouUchiha

At first, the new element singing in his chest, Tony doesn’t understand what he’s done.

Doesn’t understand the full consequences of his actions.

But, to be fair, there’s no way he really could have.

Not even a futurist like him could have ever seen this coming.

rated G, post-CW, past Stony, angst with a happy ending. word count: 3,589.

(note: this fic is SO BEAUTIFUL. lemme just asjkdjnsjkdm)

✨ and amidst the ruins, there was you by TheKitteh

With everything resolved - post the Berlin conflict, Siberia and the rogue Avengers' return - Tony relishes in the clarity of what the team is now. He can finally see the well-defined lines, he can rely on solid rules and the chain of command. He's settled into his life like never before.

That is, until one day, an unhinged sorcerer with no grasp on his magic shatters that new-found balance.

As a result, half of Tony's soul is now gone, but he's willing to do anything to get it back.

rated T, post-CW, canon divergence, au - Dystopia, Dimension Travel, magical accidents, slow burn, getting together. word count: 36,976

✨ and so we unfold by TheKitteh

Senbazuru. Thousand Cranes.

An ancient Japanese legend that promises anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. Some stories believe you are granted happiness and eternal good luck, instead of just one wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.

Bucky’s not big on believing in any legends, not after all that has happened. He just wants to create something for a change, not destroy.

He needs to prove himself that he can be trusted to handle something delicate. He doesn’t need a promise of a wish come true. He just,- needs to do this for himself.

He doesn’t need noticing how sad, tired Stark looks. Doesn’t need to want to do something for the man, when he can barely do anything for himself.

rated T, CACW canon divergence, getting together, reconciliation, POV alternating, Bucky Barnes recovering. word count: 14,449

✨ Spilt on the Ground like Water by tisfan

Tony has been black-bagged and illegally held at the Raft. Steve has no intentions of going to rescue him.

But the Winter Soldier isn't going to leave him behind.

rated E, Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, implied/referenced torture, frottage, dub-con, mention of part non-con (HYDRA trash party), not Steve friendly, suicidal thoughts, touch-starved. word count: 10,853

✨ Norns, Save Us (From Ourselves) by phlintandsteel

It’s been ten years since half the universe was dusted.

rated E, post-IW au, A/B/O verse, Omega Tony, Alpha Bucky, Soulmates, Peter & Harley playing matchmaker, still recovering Bucky Barnes, not Steve Rogers Friendly, angst with a happy ending. word count: 37,324.

✨ Change You Like A Remix by ficlicious

No one ever said Avenging would be easy, but Bucky could have really used a memo about the weeks where the hits just didn’t stop coming. He’d probably still have signed his soul away to the gods of spandex and paperwork, but a heads up woulda been nice before he nodded and smiled and took up residence in the house sanity fled when the Avengers moved in.

---- Soulmates, misunderstandings, snark, genderswap and sleep-deprived Avengers abound. Tony's a woman. Must be Friday.

rated E, AU - soulmates, established relationship, temporary gender swap, jealous Bucky Barnes, misunderstanding, miscommunication. word count: 10,494.

✨ Getting to Know You by orbingarrow

It had been an adventure, navigating the sweetly apologetic Bucky Barnes, who haunted the tower most days, and the the Winter Soldier, who occasionally inhabited Barnes’s body. The Winter Soldier was not apologetic; he was scary. And he was currently chilling out, uninvited, in Tony's lab.

“Leave,” Tony said, because Tony was either a dead man or not, and there wasn’t much he could do about it before coffee.

“Or you could give me permission to be here,” the Winter Soldier suggested.

“I don’t let strangers poke around my stuff,” Tony grumbled, as he walked past the Soldier to take a seat at his workbench.

“Easily solved,” the Soldier deflected. “Get to know me.”

-This is what happens when Tony does.

rated G, Bucky Barnes & Winter Soldier are different personalities, fluff, Clint Barton is a good bro. word count: 9,470

✨ Safe House by ali_aliska

For years, Tony had successfully kept his secret. Neither the world nor his team knew he was Iron Man and as far as he was concerned, everyone was better off that way. On his best days, Tony Stark was not someone people liked and trusted, so the last thing Tony wanted was to tarnish Iron Man’s good reputation by revealing the truth.

But then SHIELD falls, the Avengers face disarray, and a stray Hydra assassin forces Tony to go into hiding—and where better than the safe house he had just crafted for the Avengers and their own ex-assassin ready to come in from the cold?

Tony plans to hide away from everyone in his makeshift workshop until the coast is clear and he’s safe to go home. No one would care to spend any time with the reclusive, arrogant billionaire anyways, right? Iron Man is the one everyone wants around.

Bucky Barnes, on his own journey to reclaim his life and identity, seems to disagree with that sentiment.

rated T, post TWS, canon divergence, au - Secret Identity, mutual pining, team as family, slow burn, misunderstandings. word count: 89,533

✨ Versace on the floor by withered

The modern man’s armor is his clothing, and Bucky wants Tony out of his.

rated T, post CW, Bucky Barnes & Winter Soldier are Separate Personalities, Barnes & Soldier & their hard-on for Tony, not team cap friendly. word count: 2,127

#winteriron #tony stark #bucky barnes #iron man #winter soldier #avengers #winteriron fic rec #fic rec #mcu #marvel #otp #steve rogers #past stony #past stucky

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vore-scientist · 3 years

Text

Like A Good Neighbor (sfw safe vore)

[M/nb vore with fearplay. safe soft oral non-sexual]

A tale of the Mystic Woods! Featuring Yonah HaEsh and Myran the Dwarf Witch and many other fun characters!

A story of bad first impressions and making new friends! Lots of GT, and a cute little adventure at a magical farmer’s market!

Warning: Careful there are references to Fa.tal! An example would be “ogres are far more likely to eat smallfolk than giants!” (implying that said actions are deadly). That is the extent of such references!

Other warning: mild harm during the immediate post-vore scene. Yonah just goes a little too far in scaring Myran.

——/——////——

“Did you hear?”

“Have you been told?”

“A new resident!”

“I haven’t checked it out myself! But Ms Zukkar told me-”

“A wizard!”

“Didn’t there used to be an old sorcerer there?”

“-new guy’s a witch!”

“So, hear about that new giant!”

“A giant wouldn’t fit in that tower! And wizards is all human!”

“A criminal, on the run they say”

“Maybe a magician? They like towers sometimes!”

“His Majesty wouldn’t hire a criminal!”

“-supposed to be evil?”

There were so many rumors being flung around that the dwarf witch Myran Gamadin decided to see for themselves and set out to investigate. Undoubtedly there was a new resident. The story was that he was a Mage, and a criminal, but also just expelled from The Academy of Wizardry. And a giant? That was strange, the old tower was much too small for a giant! Even if it was magic it was only 10ft taller than your average giant in the first place. However… they did hear about the trial of a giant recently… stuff that happened in the civilized court didn’t really concern those in the Woods.

“Why would you go to see a villain? You’re not evil!”

The World’s Largest™ Maine Coon cat trotted alongside the handsome young dwarf, looking more like an oddly fluffy pony than a cat.

“It’s important to know your neighbors! Even the evil ones!”

Siv flicked his tail up into his witch’s face.

“And he’s got to be just a young man! So young and the expectations on evil mages is so high! He will appreciate a friendly face!” Myran had done the math. If this Mage hadn’t even graduated from The Academy, he was at most 23. Unless he started his education late. But they doubted this.

“Why are we walking! You have your broom!” the cat complained.

“That’s for the tower, Siv. It’s one of those designed by assholes who think it’s clever to have the only entrance be the window at the top.”

“Hrfff,” said Siv.

“Do you think he will appreciate the house-warming gift? I didn’t really spend much time on it…”

“Fresh fish would be better.”

“Maybe if he were a cat. This is for a Mage.”

“Clippings of magical plants? Maybe for another witch. This is someone who was studying Wizardry.”

“Wizards use magical plants too!”

“Yeah, they buy them from witches!”

As the pair stepped out of the trees, they froze.

“I think he’ll like the gift,” Siv admitted as he And Myran stood in awe at the largest magical garden either of them had ever seen.

It wasn’t even finished yet! Plots of earth were freshly turned, and piles of wood, half built into beds that lay in patterns across the clearing. And massively spread apart. At least 3 meters between plots. And the finished ones. Well. They already had some amazing specimens. Even if they were just sprouting. Myran noticed the Twisted WyrmFern and harpy’s breath; delicate, but common magical plants that were being used to test out the soil. It was working great.

The garden did make Myran worry a bit.

Maybe this wasn’t a wizard at all! It could be a witch. And he could be very evil indeed. Even evil witches treated their gardens with the utmost care and attention.

But they had come this far. And the tower that looked over the garden was calling to them. Well. Not really. The green-black thorny vines screamed “STAY AWAY!” But when one had a flying broomstick, one didn’t need to heed such warnings.

Flipping their broom around like a baton, they sat side saddle and Siv hopped on the end, somehow managing to balance his prodigious fluff. They took off. And flew into the window.

“WOAAAHHH!”

It was like hitting an unexpected and large wave on a boogie board, but a magical one that flowed through the body! And Myran had never been to the ocean, so it made their brain swim.

The room, which from the outside looked normal, was anything but. The rumors of this being a giant were not just rumors.

This place was HUGE!

And yet, it was much too small.

Growing up, Myran had visited some giant villages with their family. They hadn’t been THAT much smaller then, but the houses and items in the village were definitely much larger. While giant mages certainly existed, they had their own traditions and made their own supplies.

This looked exactly like the workshop for a young wizard, with additions for the wizard being a giant. It was wild to see some of the common arcane tools at such an immense scale.

Flying over, Myran saw that the resident Mage had an ancient book under a magnifying glass, and had been translating it, with notes and commentary. Spell equations and diagrams were additionally copied in a dedicated smaller notebook.

While it was surely a fascinating read, they could tell at a glance the notes were somewhere in the middle of an involved spell, and they didn’t want to be the reason the Mage lost his place. The workbench had plenty of other diverting materials.

Siv had no interest in such things and curled up against the base of the magnifying glass. The sun hit the metal through the window, making it quite warm.

Myran put their broom down and explored the desk. There were several magical tombs! Rare ones! They flipped through and saw fresh handwritten notes tucked inside. Smart, this mage did not want to tarnish the original pages. There was also an open notebook and a few spell components laid out.

They stepped carefully back onto the notebook to get a better idea of what this wizard was up to. The notebook was written in giant, which Myran wasn’t fluent in but got the gist of. So this was indeed a giant wizard. Fascinating.

That’s what they were thinking until...

FEE FI FO FUM!

Myran nearly jumped out of their boots.

No longer fascinating. Very bad. Very dangerous! They’d heard stories that quoted these lines, classic, even amusing. However, hearing them bellowed by an actual giant nearly stopped their heart. These words were so loud and so immediately panic-inducing, especially when accompanied by thundering footsteps.

I SMELL THE BLOOD OF THE-

There was a pause and maybe a stutter

DWARVEN KIND!

The trap door off center in the room burst open and a giant with a mane of black hair, a trimmed goatee, and a wizard’s hat, climbed out. He was smiling, snarling, showing off impressive fangs.

USELESS TO FLEE, USELESS TO FIGHT, FOR YOU WILL BE MY MEAL TONIGHT!

Eat them!? Oh No. Myran scrambled to their feet as the giant advanced.

Siv had gone catatonic, or nearly, and fled behind the mirror. But Myran just stood there. The next thing they knew, they were in the giant's fist… AND THEN IN ITS MOUTH! There was a brief moment where they thought the giant was going to bite them in half… but no. Worse than that, the giant fulfilled his promise to make a meal of Myran by swallowing them whole.

Never had Myran imagined themselves in this predicament. Witches, as far as they knew, were not prone to being eaten by giants! Giants ate thieves, slayers, adventurers! Though... giants were known to occasionally eat random people that happened to be rude to them as they went about their business.

Myran had not been rude! They just hadn’t had a chance to be polite! This giant had no business eating them.

Not that any of this was actually going through Myran’s mind. Oh no. Myran’s thoughts were preoccupied with panicking about their impending doom!

First, they tried to stop the giant from swallowing. But the teeth threatened to crunch their limbs if they dared to try and find purchase! So, failing that, they tried to slow their progress down his esophagus.

The problem was the walls were too damn slippery! They knew that their slow progress was merely due to the tight fit, as they couldn’t stretch out. The flesh was too tough.

Right before they started to worry about suffocating, they were deposited into a large chamber, sliding into a puddle of nasty smelling fluid. They took a regretful breath of the rancid air.

Yonah sighed as the dwarf left his throat and settled into his stomach. Small yet still filling.

He patted his stomach lightly. “A bit disappointing. Dwarves don’t taste nearly as good as most other smallfolk, but I’m not complaining.” His prey thrashed and yelled but didn’t seem to be coherent.

YEOWCH!

Something bit his hand and he waved it violently. Whatever it was released and smacked into the wall that the desk was up against, crumpled into a motionless pile. Curious and momentarily forgetting his snack, Yonah investigated.

A cat!? And still alive but unconscious. Why had a cat attacked him? Then he saw the abandoned broom next to his notebook. And his stomach twisted.

“You’re— not a thief!” Technically, he could eat anyone he wanted, he wasn’t restricted to adventurers. He was still figuring out what kind of villain he wanted to be. Such self exploration would take time, time the person he ate didn’t have.

“I’m a witch!” He heard them squeak.

“A witch? Invading the lair of a wizard? Are you stupid!” He poked at them. They didn’t like that.

“Let me out!!”

So Yonah spat them up, sooner than he would have liked to, and leaned over them with a frown and glowing eyes.

The moment the witch hit the desk, the cat woke up and was between him and the witch as it hissed.

The witch was shaking and coughing, glancing at him with wide fearful eyes.

“If you’re a witch then what the fuck were you doing in my tower?” Yonah demanded.

The witch was still in shock but recovered enough to speak. “I’m… Myran! I wanted to introduce myself!”

“A likely story! Why would anyone want to introduce themselves to me?” Yonah wasn’t really in the mood for conversation, but figured he could use the practice at evil banter.

“You’re… new to the forest” they coughed.

“What’s it to you?”

“I’m your neighbor!” they said,

Yonah narrowed his eyes, “The forest is constantly moving, no such thing as neighbors.”

“I figured I’d try to be friendly!” they continued as if he hadn’t replied. “Everyone was talking about the new mage in the tower, but no one had any definitive stories.”

Another mistake. The giant snarled.

“You are a fool then! I don’t want any friends!” He hesitated briefly as he said it, not sure of the truth, but recovered fast. “But I don’t want you spreading rumors about my mercy either…” he picked them back up. Gripping them hard and getting their right arm between his teeth. He didn’t bite their arm off, but broke the skin with a fang and pinched their hand. They yelled.

“Stop! Stop! I won’t tell! I won’t tell!”

He dropped them and they sat, crying, holding their bleeding arm and hand which was turning a plum purple.

“Good,” he hissed steam in their face, scalding the skin red as his eyes glowed bright orange. “Now get the fuck out before I eat you for real!” He flicked the broom at them. “And if you ever show your face around here again, I will.”

Finally, they listened to him. They got onto the broom along with their cat and with a burst of magic kicked into the air and fled out the window. Yonah watched until they disappeared, then sat down. His hair hadn’t been smoking before but it was now. Additionally, his eyes still glowed.

His first visitor in months wasn't an adventurer and he’d eaten them without a second thought! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Maybe this was his destiny. For years he’d trained himself to be restrained. Keep his anger in check, Keep his half giant identity a secret and become a wizard. But that had all gone to shit when he’d been discovered not as just a half giant, but as a half fire witch. Chased out of the academy but captured by the authorities of Orr.

Forced to sign a contract with King Ben to become his new pet monster! So why not be a monster!?

But he still wanted friends… his friends from the academy weren’t allowed to visit him. His tower of magic and wonder was so empty. He put his elbows on his desk and buried his face in his hands.

~chink~ his elbow brushed against something.

He looked down and saw a broken clay pot, the soup spilling out and a seedling now helpless and exposed on the desk.

Quickly yonah dipped his fingers into a pouch at his side and licked it, saying a spell. With a puff of smoke he stood on his desk, a mere 8ft tall, and he knelt down.

With his more appropriately sized hands he gathered the soil and with a wave of his hand and another mutter the pieces of the pot shook and flew back into their original places. The pot was… functionally repaired. The proper repair spell required materials to fuse the pieces properly. So it wouldn’t hold water, but it could hold soil.

As he scooped it back in, a piece of paper fell from the loose soil. Curious he dug it back out of the pot and cleaned it off enough to read:

“Welcome to the Mystical Woodlands new neighbor! This seedling is from my own garden. A special cultivation of Frozen Thyme.”

The moment he read it he was instantly planning where this would go in his garden. But… this gift. Did he deserve it? He’d eaten the one who brought it. He chased them away!

He couldn’t accept this gift but he couldn’t just let the seedling wither and die. It didn’t deserve that. And thus, his brain rationalized a way for him to keep the gift. So now what?

Yonah’s brain was too full of rage to do any proper work, so he decided to take it out on the garden, which was still in a state of construction. He’d already torn up old dead pieces of the overgrown mess left behind by the predecessor. Now he was digging spots for flower beds and what would hopefully be an orchard. There was even a designated spot for herbs.

The reason this was slow going was he refused to use magic. For the most part. Thankfully, being giant made digging and construction easier. Now that he had the thyme, he prioritized the herb beds. It was with a sour pride that he completed one as the sun started to go down.

A large wooden box that curved in a lovely arc close to the tower. The wood was specially imported from his The Blue Sky Mountain Giants Tribe in the Implausible Mountains, the smell of it reminding him of home. The frozen thyme seedling was given enough space to grow. He even gave it some friends that he knew would be compatible.

With his mind a little more at ease, he managed to get himself to sleep.

And awoke the next morning with an ache in his heart and a new plan in his brain.

For the first time since he arrived in this prison of a forest, he ventured beyond the boundaries of his clearing. Yonah knew he was allowed, a certain distance from his tower, to walk the forest. It had just seemed pointless. Not wanting to draw too much attention, he wore his gardening outfit: a pink plaid button up and light blue overalls. He had a straw hat that he recently wove to be a wizard hat, as well as his wizard staff. He couldn’t really leave that behind.

The trees in the forest were shorter than back home, but still very large. Thankfully he didn't have to duck so much to avoid branches. In his mind was a list of ingredients he needed to find. Foraging in the forest might seem like a fruitless endeavor, but when you have the keen nose of a giant, tracking down wildberries was a simple feat.

What a bounty! A huge patch of bramble with perfectly ripe berries. He didn’t need a giant’s amount and they would just get squashed if he tried to pick them at his normal size so once again he shrank down. He retrieved a basket from his hat and started to pick berries.

About ten minutes in, the bush began to shift! A section opened up and out ran a gnome with a garden spade. It smacked into his hand mid berry pick.

“Stop! Thief!”

SMACK SMACK!

Yonah was so startled he backed away and returned to his normal size, the basket of berries spilling over.

The gnome yelped. “Giant!” They dropped the spade. “Don’t eat me! Take berries! Don’t eat me or family!”

There was something satisfying about the gnome’s fear and Yonah grinned, “While you would make for a nice little snack,” he said, “I’m not in the mood for gnome today.”

The gnome shook and took up the spade again, pointing it at him as if that would help. From inside the bushes, Yonah heard rustling, and smelled more gnomes. This must cover their burrow.

“Put that away, or I might change my mind!” Yonah growled, showing his fangs. The gnome complied, tossing it aside.

“But you are also in luck. I am not interested in being a berry thief. I have more honor than that. If you would permit me to buy some of your berries, at a discount for me not making a meal of you and your family, I will leave you in peace”

The gnome gulped and nodded, “Am… sure we can make a deal.”

“Pick up the ones I already picked, will you?” Yonah ordered.

The gnome scrambled. “You will need more?”

Yonah nodded. The gnome whistled. And a troupe of younger gnomes carefully came out of the bramble.

“Kind giant has offered to buy some berries. Exchange for not eating us!”

The kids looked nervous and their fear didn’t spark the same kind of joy as the adults. But Yonah had a reputation to build! And he had to admit, it was still a bit fun.

He watched as the gnomes gathered berries until the basket was full and the adult gnome put it down in front of where Yonah had sat down. He picked it up and took off his hat, dropping it in and noticed the gnome’s eyes get wide. Storage space items were not uncommon, but storage hats were tools of professional mages, not common folk.

“That all?” the gnome asked.

Yonah stroked his beard thoughtfully, “Yes. I think so.” He reached into this hat. While he didn’t have a lot of money, Ben had supplied him with funds should he need them, and he had distributed the rings between his various pocket spaces. He got out a large wooden dowel upon which hung many metal rings. Small ones and large ones. With a pair of tweezers, yonah removed a few silver rings and one gold ring and put them into his palm, placing it up in front of the gnome.

Who did not take it.

“Do not insult me by refusing my payment,” Yonah insisted but the gnome did not move.

“More than we charge normally… You wanted discount: berries, a silver a pound!”

Yonah blinked. He still wasn’t good with smallfolk money. When purchasing as a giant, you purchased such large amounts it always cost at least a gold.

“Oh? Er-” he didn’t want to actually exploit these gnomes. “I'm not taking it back! Take the money Or I’ll eat you!” his voice faltered and the gnomes looked a little confused, and a little more relaxed.

“Leave us alone then, yes?” The gnome reached out a hand. Yonah nodded. The gnome finally took the money, giving each of the kids a silver ring. Any fear the kids had was gone as soon as they studied their rings and looked at Yonah with excitement. It was hard not to let the warmth in his heart at their expressions show on his own face.

“Actually!” Yonah announced as the gnomes started to back away into their burrow.

The adult stopped and looked nervous again. Yonah huffed. “I’m not going to eat you, I never was. I just have a question.”

The gnome ushered the kids away, not trusting Yonah, before turning back to the giant. “And if don’t have a good answer, you won’t eat… right?”

With a sigh Yonah shook his head, “No. I won't.”

“Then ask.”

Yonah took a breath, “I am... looking to get some ingredients. I… lashed out at someone recently and I very much regret it, and want to make some amends. I have giant ones back home but… giant sized ingredients do not taste as strong as small ones. Do you know where, or who, I might be able to look for?”

The gnome smiles, “Yes! Mystical Market. Sell our berries there. Open today, also gnome holiday.” They gave Yonah the instructions on how to find the market.

“Thank you- er…” Yonah put a hand to his chest and bowed.

“Kalle” said Kalle.

“Yonah,” said Yonah. The gnome bowed as well, “Don’t be flaunting riches, mysterious half giant. Marketeers take advantage”

Riches!? He did not have endless funds. He would have to be more careful with his spending.

“I am also looking for… Er... Shit!” he exclaimed and was glad the kids were no longer outside, “I don't know their name. Dwarf witch.”

Kalle considered, “Know them. Likes almond cookies. Sorry. Market easier find than people. That all?”

From their tone of voice, Yonah knew the gnome desperately wanted to get back to their family. It was a holiday after all. Yonah stood up and nodded, leaving without subjecting them to any more conversation.

Almond cookies? That changed things. He had only made almond cookies once! He needed a little more help. However, he did not backtrack to the tower. He knew that if he went back, he would lose motivation. Locating the market was his current task.

Unfortunately, it took some luck. According to the gnome, it was a special place that one happened to come across, just by wanting to be there. The more familiar you were with it, the better chance there was of that happening. Yonah really really wanted to be there. So he gathered his will and set off in a random direction.

After an hour of walking yonah felt a weird tingle all over his arms and legs. Like his hair was standing on end and all pointing in the same direction. Had he entered some magical field? No matter, he was fairly immune to passive magic.

Then he took another step and a jolt of magic electricity surged through his body, causing him to freeze up. Before he could collapse, he felt as if a giant hook had caught around his middle. There was no physical hook, but it still yanked him back, pulling in through the forest.

Eventually it stopped and finally Yonah fell over, breathing shallowly as his heart raced. He rolled onto his back and stared up into the trees.

“What’s the big idea!?” Someone kicked him in the side and he sat up. “You’re blocking the way!”

An elf!

Yonah frowned. “You’re so bold for someone I could crush with a finger!” To tease the elf, he poked them in the chest.

“YEOWCH!”

For the second time that day, Yonah got bitten. This time, it was the elf who sank their fangs into his finger, letting go before Yonah pulled away.

“Don’t get sassy with me! Messing with smallfolk isn’t allowed in the market, you'll be banned!”

Yonah looked around “The market?”

He had assumed it was the Mystical Market because it was in the Mystical Woodlands. But now he realized that the name was rather accurate. An entire marketplace incorporated into the forest itself. Stalls and restaurants built into the trees, with carts parked in between. The trees here were also… there was no other word for it: majestic. Larger and older and, compared to the forest he had been exploring before, more deliberate spacing. He couldn’t even see all of it. The forest stretched on for a while, and thus was obscured by the very trees that made up the shops.

There were even buildings in the branches so that ogres, trolls, and giants did not have to bend down to make transactions. He even spotted a few trolls. Amazing! Trolls (and ogres) were much more likely than giants to eat smallfolk. Giants mostly threatened unless the person in question did something really, really stupid.

And yet, there was a troll, large with brown fur and green spots, purchasing a roll of fabric from the elevated section of a gnome shop.

“Yes you idiot, the market! And my cart won't fit through any other path! Move your giant ass or I’ll get the guard to move it for you!”

His elation at having found the market was in conflict with his pride that was being so insulted by this little creature.

“Apologize for biting me, and I’ll consider it!”

The elf looked indignant. “You threatened to squash me! MAGEN!!” they yelled.

Thunderous footsteps were heard and Yonah turned as a proper, full blooded giant, made her way through the shoppers, somehow avoiding stepping on anyone. She was maybe 17, but full grown and taller than Yonah by at least ten feet. Her skin was a light greyish pink and her eyes were a dark red. She wore a lovely headpiece of woven flowers and vines to look like hair, which full giants do not have.

She knelt “This man bothering you?”

The elf nodded. Yonah threw his hands up, “Hey! I don’t mean any trouble!”

“He threatened to squash me!”

The giant glared at Yonah, who glared back.

“How largefolk deal with smalls outside of the market is their own business,” she said. “But inside the market we do not even threaten to squash, or kick, or stomp, or eat!”

“I did not intend to and I did not know I was in the market! I have never been before!” Yonah stood up so that he was not at such an extreme height disadvantage. Magen was a rather short mountain giant, only 35ft tall.

She nodded, “I can believe that.” She stood up. “I would have remembered you for sure.” She sniffed and said in implausible Giant: “You are from the blue sky tribe?”

“Yes! I am.” he answered, also in Giant. “I just moved to the forest. I was looking for the market but… I must have… hit something magic. I sort of fell into here”.

The elf took the opportunity to weave their cart around the giants’ feet, disappearing into the market.

“Ah, the seller seems to no longer push this issue. My name is Magen.” she introduced, bowing.

“Yonah HaEsh,” Yonah answered in return.

“HaEsh! I know the name. Fire man who helped save the Implausible Mountains from the Society of Wizards!”

“That’s my dad,” Yonah said, a little embarrassed.

“Mom told me the story! How exciting!”

Yonah brushed himself off and glanced around, “So... What are the rules here, then?”

Magen shrugged, “Just don’t start fights, alright? All sales are final, so don't go making a fuss if you haggled wrong or think you got cheated unless you believe your items are defective. There are ways to deal with fraudulent goods, but we cannot risk collateral damage.”

“Does that happen often?” Yonah asked, “I only mean to buy food, I can tell if that’s fresh”

“Oh, you have a giant’s nose then. Good. It does not happen often. Makes my job easier. And I usually manage to break up confrontations before they get out of hand.”

Knowing he could likely sniff out the stalls he needed, Yonah asked if Magen could show him around and help him find all the items on his list. She happily agreed. He had to walk behind her as there wasn’t room for two giants to be side by side.

As she carefully led him, she took glances back and down Yonah who was getting a little nervous. It had been a while since he encountered other giants. He was watching his feet to make sure he didn’t hurt anyone, and he was stopping constantly to look into the shops and stalls and carts.

“What is it like, being half giant?” Magen asked, who somehow managed to walk without looking at her feet very often at all. Maybe Yonah was being too careful and people here knew to stay out of the way of largefolk's feet… Still, he didn't want to take chances.

“Er… I have hair, I guess?” he said.

“I was wondering if that was natural or a wig.” Magen brushed the vines spilling from her head.

“But mostly, things were just a bit inconveniently large for me. I still managed.” Then he countered. “What’s it like being a guard in the market?”

“The shopkeepers pool money to have me stand around, mostly. Smallfolk behave when an angry giant is within earshot.” She grinned with all her fangs.

“I thought you said giants couldnt mess with smallfolk here?” Yonah inquired.

“You can’t. It’s my job to interfere,” Magen retorted. “I haven't hurt anyone… badly. I’ve only worked here for a year. But I know everyone and everyone knows me!”

They stopped at a stand selling nuts and Yonah purchased the almonds he needed. The seller seemed a bit disappointed that he bought so few.

“Shopping for someone small?” Magen asked.

“Er- yeah.” Yonah said. They both had to back between trees to let a trio of trolls go by. One was only 10 feet tall and barely came up to Yonah’s waist, but another was nearly 20 feet! They carried baskets and bags on their furry backs, and even had some tied to their tusks!

Before they continued, two elves leapt from the tree nearby and onto Yonah’s shoulders! He was about to brush them off when Magen stopped him.

“Don’t! They are just hitching rides!” At that, he spotted more elves on her head. “You need honey, yes? I know the best shop!”

He followed Magen around the market, which was much larger than he had realized. The elves had no qualms about leaping on and off him and other largefolk shoppers and eventually he ignored them. Magen even helped him avoid making a bad deal for oat flour, saying she couldn’t believe the nerve of the shopkeeper trying to take advantage of a new resident.

Before Yonah left, he wanted to properly thank Magen. “If there is anything I can do to show thanks. Perhaps er-” he looked around.

“You know, the juice stand behind that tree has new flavors I’ve wanted to try. How about you buy me a drink? You should get one too. It’s very refreshing!”

“They make them giant sized?” Yonah asked.

“Oh, they are made by ogres!” Magen replied, rounding the indicated tree.

Ogres, kin of trolls and even more dangerous due to their magical powers. Typically smaller than trolls, but that was not the way to tell them apart.

An entire family of ogres were operating a massive open storefront. Jugs hung from branches or were strapped to the trunks of trees and fruit swung in baskets. Behind the counter was an elaborate prep station operated by two large ogres. Around the entire display were platforms sticking out from the nearby trees. Smallfolk sat on stools enjoying drinks and food at an elevation that made it easy to be served by the ogres. Magen walked up to the counter, which was not at an ideal height for her but was easily manageable. She spoke to an ogre with straw colored fur, blue spots, and large horns.

“Edna! I’d like two passion fruit smoothies please! One giant sized and one…” She glanced back at Yonah. “Full Troll sized!” She stepped aside and pointed at Yonah. “He’s paying”

Edna nodded and passed on the order.

Yonah stepped forward. Bowing “Yonah HaEsh”. She bowed back, “Edna Baneclaw. That will be a gold bracelet for the giant and half for the full troll”

Yonah’s heart nearly stopped. A gold bracelet and a half !? He looked at Magen who flashed her fangs mischievously then back at Enda.

Edna smiled as well. “We don’t have enlarged passion fruit, not in high demand by largefolk.”

With another glare at Magen, Yonah fished into his hat. He didn’t have gold bracelets but he had rings. 10 silver to a gold. Rings to Rings. Bracelets to Bracelets… 10 gold rings to a silver bracelet… 10 silver bracelets to a gold ring. That’s 100 gold rings to a gold bracelet (he had really overpaid the gnomes for the berries... A holiday gift he supposed), but this was not money to spend on frivolous fruit drinks!

Too late, however. The drinks were ready, and he carefully removed golden rings from silver bracelets. 50 gold rings and 10 silver bracelets exchanged for two smoothies. They came in wooden cups with bamboo straws.

This better be fucking worth it. Yonah took a sip.

His eyes widened as the cool icy tart concoction hit his taste buds and he took a long drink. Finally, he looked at Magen and then Edna. “This is incredible!” he exclaimed. Magen grinned and sipped hers as well. “Yeah. Too bad we’re the last two to have some for at least a month!”

“What do you mean?”

“That took all the passion fruit we had,” Edna informed. “Won't get more for a while”

“Worth it! Suck it smallfolk!” Magen teased the people on the platforms, a few looked a bit annoyed, but most didn't seem to care. She didn't seem to care either.

“Well it was nice meeting you, Yonah. I hope to see you again. Oh, and by the way, you can return your mug to the ogres for a silver bracelet, even if you take it home today!”

Yonah glanced at his drink. “Oh! Thanks for letting me know. But where are you going?”

Magen sipped at her smoothie loudly before answering. “This was my break, silly, I need to go back on proper duty now, and you have all your things.” Magen held out her free hand and Yonah shook it, bidding her goodbye. It was getting late in the day now and he wanted to get to work on the almond cookies.

Wait… which way was back to the tower? How could he be so stupid wandering off like this!? His mom taught him better than that. Forest ranger rule number 1: DON’T GET LOST. ...okay, so that wasn’t really a rule. It was supposed to imply that you paid attention to where you were going so you could get back. This was not so easy in the Mystic Woods.

The moment he had walked far enough away from the market, he turned forward and then back, and it was already gone. He had nowhere to go but forward.

It was to his great surprise that only a minute later, he exited the dense trees and found himself in the clearing. The tower was on the opposite side. While he was elated to have made it back safely before dark, there was a distinct absence of any gladness to be home. This was not his home, after all. It was his prison.

Yonah HaEsh climbed up the tower and back into his prison. He took off his hat and sat down at his desk in the workshop, staring into the reflection on the large, ornate mirror that rested upon it.

To do this right, he needed help. Professional help. So he activated his mirror. Or at least… tried. He stared at his own reflection, then spoke. “Mirror Mirror on the desk,” he faltered, “Could you please connect me to Shoshana at the academy?”

The mirror snorted. “You think politeness will work after all this time? I don’t make exceptions. This is why your friends think you’ve forgotten about them! Put in the effort! Ask me properly or don't at all.”

“They’ve called me!!” Yonah insisted, but the mirror said nothing in response. Just like he would do when he got calls from his friends. Yonah growled and snorted back at the mirror, fogging it up. “Mirror Mirror, oh magical vanity, I wish to call Shoshana, at the wizard academy”

There was a whistle from the mirror. “Now that’s how you do it!” it praised. The fog cleared and for a brief moment, he saw his own face again before the reflective surface turned grey. Another moment and the face of his friend Shoshana emerged.

“Yonah!!!” she exclaimed. “You called! I cannot believe it!”

Yonah’s face turned a bit red. “I’ve… been distracted.”

Shoshana waved her hand, stopping any further excuses. “You’ve been through so much! I was worried! Since we graduated, you haven't called at all!”

/I never called before either... / Yonah thought. /It was always you.../ When Grand Master Sean reinstated him as a wizardling student, his friends would call regularly to work on homework and their theses, as he wasn’t allowed to actually attend the school in person. And while he attended the graduation…

That wasn’t a happy memory at all and he didn’t want to think about how he sat behind all the students in the amphitheater in magic chains looking more like a beast one of the adventuring tract students had wrangled for their final than a student.

“I need a recipe!” he said.

Shoshana raised her brows “That’s it!? First call in over a month, and it’s to get a recipe! You don’t want to catch up at all?!” Yonah’s eyes flickered and Shoshana backed off. “Alright, I can see you’re not in the mood. But please, we’re all missing you so much. We’d assumed you embraced the evil hermit wizard life.”

“I… haven’t meant to. But it’s surprisingly easy,” he admitted, grinning awkwardly. “I’d rather not go full hermit, of course.”

“Well, then dont go a month without calling your friends!” Shoshana chided. “Or make some new friends! The forest is full of interesting people, right?”

Yonah looked away, but his eyes were probably glowing orange now.

“This… is for that.”

“Oh!” Shoshana exclaimed, “I should have figured! Of course, I will give you whatever recipe you’d like.”

Yonah got out his ingredients to show Shoshana and explained what he wanted to bake. She nodded and made some suggestions for ingredients and spices to really make these cookies great. He did not have all the supplies she suggested, which led to some back-and-forth as Shoshana pointed out some substitutions for what Yonah bought or already had in his tower.

“Got that all down?” she asked, as she watched Yonah scribble out the final lines to the recipe.

“Yes!” Yonah exhaled in relief. “Thank you so much, Shosh!”

“Next time, we will catch up properly, but I had fun designing this recipe!” Shoshana chirped. “What a challenge. I wish you had called first, before just buying random ingredients.”

“I was already in the forest, Shosh.”

“I know, I know.” Shoshana blew Yonah a kiss and the mirror flickered back to his reflection.

It was time to bake! Which he did after shrinking down.

By the time he was done baking his jam print almond cookies, it was past midnight. He needed sleep and didn't think finding the witch at night was a particularly wise idea, especially since he was getting tired. That meant he was extra likely to be grumpy and irritable. So he placed the cookies in a special cooling rack to keep them magically fresh, then went to bed.

It was right after breakfast that Yonah HaEsh left the tower and, for the second time, entered the forest.

Once again, he had no direction, not that one could in the Mystic Woods. It wasn't even possible to have a map unless it was incredibly magical. Still, he was determined and willing to wander the forest for days if he must! But he’d do so at his full size, which would allow him to cover more ground.

That’s… That’s a witch’s hut! He hoped it was the correct one. It was more of a mound than a hut, with one side covered in rocks and moss and the other a more sheer side with windows, plus a flatter side with a door.

As he approached, a garden came into view and he heard a yelp before watching a small figure dart into the hut and close the curtains. The door opened briefly and a hand hung a sign that read “NO SOLICITORS”

That was the evil giant! Why was he here!? Why did the forest let him find the hut!? Was he here to eat them?! To finish the job!? Could they take on a giant fire witch?! Myran was a damn skilled witch, and at least 15 years the giant’s senior by their estimate, but they were quaking in their boots.

A knock sounded at their door. It didn’t sound forceful enough to be a giant. Siv was in front of them, hissing at the door. Thinking it better to be safe, they peeked out the window, then ran to open the door. Just a crack.

Red faced and holding a basket was… the giant. Only he wasn’t giant. Not exactly. He now stood at about twice Myran’s height. A little less actually. Right. Wizard. Giant wizard.

“May I come in?”

“Depends… what’s in the basket?” They narrowed their eyes. “I don’t want any nasty surprises.”

The wizard’s face got redder as he removed the cover. They opened the door and stood aside. They took the basket with their right hand… Yonah hesitated. Their arm had a massive scar from shoulder to elbow, but the hand was unbroken. The Dwarf noticed and gave him a hard look as he crouched low to get through the dwarf sized door, Siv still hissing at him in warning.

Myran put the basket on the kitchen table and motioned to the couch. “Please, sit.” Yonah did. The couch was small for him but it took his weight. “I’m going to be honest.” Myran leaned against the kitchen table and crossed their arms. “This is quite the unexpected visit.”

“Oh?” Yonah said. Of course, it made sense. He chased them out. Why would he then try to find them again?

“You bit me!” Myran reminded him harshly. “You broke my hand, and you said if you saw me again, you would eat me. Again. And kill me.”

/Ohhhh/

Yonah’s breath caught before managing to say. “I did… didn’t I?” He looked down at his feet.

Myran. sighed. “Yep. Though eating me at your current size would be an impressive feat. So... What the fuck are you doing here? Besides bringing me cookies to fatten me up.”

“I’m not-!” He looked back up to defend himself and saw their cheeky grin. “I didn’t come here to eat you…” They raised an eyebrow in sarcastic disbelief. “I want to apologize. For what I said… What I did. After I ate you. I was so angry. I still am, though mostly at myself. I shouldn't have hurt you. It wasn’t right.” He was almost crying. Dammit, he’d gone nearly a month without crying!

“And for eating me?”

“Huh?” Yonah was thoroughly confused.

“You’re sorry for what happened after you ate me, but what about eating me?”

Yonah bit his lip, “I’m… I’m not sorry about that.”

The witch raised both eyebrows now, genuinely curious as to the workings of this monster’s thoughts.

“I’m supposed to eat people! Especially those who enter my tower unannounced. It’s part of my job! And… And I like it!” He startled himself with that statement. He liked his job? He didn’t even want this job!! He was forcefully employed by the King under threat of death! Being evil had never been his plan and he didn’t want that. Did he?

The witch didn’t look completely satisfied with this answer. But they didn’t get to inquire further as Yonah’s curiosity got the better of him.

“Er- your hand…”

Myran smiled “It was rather mangled by your jaws yesterday. Luckily, I am a very good healer, and well-known in this forest. If you had killed me, you would have had a lot of angry forest residents after your head.” Myran began preparing a pot of tea as Yonah Processed that statement. “You’re a lucky giant aren’t you?”

“What?” Yonah voiced. “For not killing you and putting a target on my back?”

“Yes, exactly. And that was curious. It is rare that evil giants are merciful.”

Yonah looked away, “I’ve only been evil for a few months. I… you’re the third person I’ve eaten at all. And I dont… I haven’t yet… killed anyone.”

That surprised Myran. “I guess I do not know the frequency that giants normally encounter adventurers… but what I meant was you’re lucky that you even get to eat people. Most giants like the taste of smallfolk but they don't actually eat them. It’s rather rare.”

“You said it yourself. Evil Giants eat people,” Yonah pointed out. “Which I am one. I guess it’s… nice that I get to eat folks. But it comes with a cost… It’s only a matter of time before slayers come after me.”

“Most evil giants kill their victims, right?” Myran asked.

Yonah shrugged “I met another one once. Said it depended on his mood.”

“Fascinating… though if you keep up your more merciful streak, perhaps you are less likely to attract slayers?”

“Perhaps…” Yonah had not considered that. He just felt he wasn’t ready to kill anyone yet, but maybe there were other perks than just a clear conscience in continuing to let his snacks go.

“Cracked some sort of code then?” Myran inquired. “Getting to eat people without attracting too much attention? Not that this would stop all slayers,” they added. “I expect you would kill a slayer?”

Yonah nodded, sniffed, and wiped his nose. In that case… Guess he was lucky. Indeed, he’d gotten to taste plenty of smallfolk. Plenty of giants did. It was unique that he’d had his human dad while growing up. But all of the smallfolk in the village knew that when giants kissed their hands, the giants were getting little tastes. Sometimes giants would lick a friend playfully or freak someone out. He’d had a few elvish and human friends growing up, and they sometimes let him and the other giant kids lick them during games of Jacks and Giants. And his academy friends were quite amused by his affections. He very much missed them. It had not taken long for him to get used to living amongst human friends, not just because he got to taste them. And so quickly, that was taken away from him. Friends…

As tears welled in his eyes he couldn’t look at Myran any longer. He closed his eyes and turned his face away. Should he keep talking? Shit, how much of that had he said out loud!? The words continued to come out regardless.

“I know I said I didn’t want any friends. But I do! I need them. And I know I can’t be your friend. You came to me and I fucked it up. But I beseech you to not tell everyone else in the forest to avoid me. I already went to the mystical market and-“

“You… how did you find out that I liked almonds!”

Yonah looked up. They weren’t looking at him but reaching into the basket for another cookie. They munched on it thoughtfully, not a crumb falling into their beard. The tea was ready and Myran poured it with magic, leaving their hands free to hold more cookies. They walked over to Yonah, the tea cups floating with. He took the larger one out of mid air. It was very hot! And he drank. It was… It tasted like tea he’d had at home. His village had alway gotten various teas from the dwarves. New tears came to his eyes.

“You alright?” Myran asked, offering a handkerchief. “You’re a very emotional evil giant.”

Yonah took it and dried his eyes. “The tea is… really good.” That wasn’t the real reason but right now he couldn’t process all of his emotions.

“It’s my grandma’s blend,” Myran said. “I’ve tried to replicate it using my garden, but you just can’t replicate those tunnel grown fungi.”

They dipped one of the cookies into the tea. From their expression, it wasn’t really a mistake but likely didn’t improve the experience. Still they munched thoughtfully.

“I’ll be your friend.”

Yonah’s jaw nearly hit the floor and he almost dropped his tea. It was a few seconds before he managed to pick his jaw back up. Were they serious? They walked over to him, placing their much smaller hand over one of his. Then they smiled most disarmingly.

“Just don’t eat me again.”

Yonah smiled.

“I think I can manage that”

[FIN]

——

(You can imagine that Yonah got to hug Myran before he left, probably a little too tight but dwarves are tough!)

THANKS FOR READING! PLEASE REBLOG IF YOU ENJOYED MY STORY!

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[Thanks for reading! please reblog! Or message me telling me what you think! I crave feedback! For more mystic woods go to vore-scientist.tumblr.com/tagged/mystic+woods+story or search ‘mystic woods story’]

big thanks to my amazing editors @j0hnnymouse and @vixen525

#safe vore #soft vore #gt vore #g/t vore #extreme cuddling #nonfatal vore

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gt-adventures · 3 years

Text

Like A Good Neighbor (sfw GT story!)

A tale of the Mystic Woods

Featuring the “Evil” Giant Wizard Yonah HaEsh and Myran the Dwarf Witch and many other fun characters!

A story about bad first impressions and the start of new friendships! Lots of GT, and a cute little adventure at a magical farmer’s market!

Warnings: intense fearplay and mild harm involving an intimidation tactic with biting (no loss of limbs!). Yonah is a Fee Fi Fo Fum kind of “Evil” giant but it’s all an act. He’s just very convincing. And in this story he is still new to his Evil job. Also casual mentions of man-eating monsters/giants (no scenes).

For more detailed warnings go to THIS POST

---

“Did you hear?”

“Have you been told?”

“A new resident!”

“I haven’t checked it out myself! But Ms Zukkar told me-”

“A wizard!”

“Didn’t there used to be an old sorcerer there?”

“-new guy’s a witch!”

“So, hear about that new giant!”

“A giant wouldn’t fit in that tower! And wizards is all human!”

“A criminal, on the run they say”

“Maybe a magician? They like towers sometimes!”

“His Majesty wouldn’t hire a criminal!”

“-supposed to be evil?”

“Why would you go to see a villain? You’re not evil!”

The World’s Largest™ Maine Coon cat trotted alongside the handsome young dwarf, looking more like an oddly fluffy pony than a cat.

“It’s important to know your neighbors! Even the evil ones!”

Siv flicked his tail up into his witch’s face.

“Why are we walking! You have your broom!” the cat complained.

“That’s for the tower, Siv. It’s one of those designed by assholes who think it’s clever to have the only entrance be the window at the top.”

“Hrfff,” said Siv.

“Do you think he will appreciate the house-warming gift? I didn’t really spend much time on it…”

“Fresh fish would be better.”

“Maybe if he were a cat. This is for a Mage.”

“Clippings of magical plants? Maybe for another witch. This is someone who was studying Wizardry.”

“Wizards use magical plants too!”

“Yeah, they buy them from witches!”

As the pair stepped out of the trees, they froze.

“I think he’ll like the gift,” Siv admitted as he And Myran stood in awe at the largest magical garden either of them had ever seen.

The garden did make Myran worry a bit.

Maybe this wasn’t a wizard at all! It could be a witch. And he could be very evil indeed. Even evil witches treated their gardens with the utmost care and attention.

Flipping their broom around like a baton, they sat side saddle and Siv hopped on the end, somehow managing to balance his prodigious fluff. They took off. And flew into the window.

“WOAAAHHH!”

It was like hitting an unexpected and large wave on a boogie board, but a magical one that flowed through the body! And Myran had never been to the ocean, so it made their brain swim.

The room, which from the outside looked normal, was anything but. The rumors of this being a giant were not just rumors.

This place was HUGE!

And yet, it was much too small.

This looked exactly like the workshop for a young wizard, with additions for the wizard being a giant. It was wild to see some of the common arcane tools at such an immense scale.

Siv had no interest in such things and curled up against the base of the magnifying glass. The sun hit the metal through the window, making it quite warm.

That’s what they were thinking until...

FEE FI FO FUM!

Myran nearly jumped out of their boots.

I SMELL THE BLOOD OF THE-

There was a pause and maybe a stutter

DWARVEN KIND!

The trap door off center in the room burst open and a giant with a mane of black hair, a trimmed goatee, and a wizard’s hat, climbed out. He was smiling, snarling, showing off impressive fangs.

USELESS TO FLEE, USELESS TO FIGHT, FOR YOU WILL BE MY MEAL TONIGHT!

Eat them!? Oh No. Myran scrambled to their feet as the giant advanced.

Siv had gone catatonic, or nearly, and fled behind the mirror. But Myran just stood there. The next thing they knew they were in the giant's fist.

Myran had not been rude! They just hadn’t had a chance to be polite! This giant had no business eating them.

Not that any of this was actually going through Myran’s mind. Oh no. Myran’s thoughts were preoccupied with panicking about their impending doom!

They tried to get themselves free of the giant’s grip but like the giant said, it was useless to fight. Then the giant LICKED THEM IN THE FACE. Ugh it was so gross!! They sputtered.

Yonah sighed and pulled the dwarf away from his face just a bit. “It is rather disappointing, dwarves don’t taste nearly as good as most other smallfolk, but I’m not complaining”

He briefly loosened his grip and Myran took their chance to get an arm free. Big mistake. The giant hissed and caught the arm between his fangs!

YEOWCH!

Their arm was free but the giant still held them. Myran was barely paying attention, for the screams of the giant rattling their brain and the giants grip had intensified making it hard to breath.

Something bit his other hand and he waved it violently. Whatever it was released and smacked into the wall that the desk was up against. And crumpled into a motionless pile. Curious and momentarily forgetting his foe he investigated.

A cat!? And still alive but unconscious. Why had a cat attacked him? Then he saw the abandoned broom next to his notebook. And his stomach twisted.

“You’re— not a thief!” Technically he was a villain to anyone, he wasn’t restricted to adventurers. He was still figuring out what kind of villain he wanted to be. But now was not really the time for self exploration.

“I’m a witch!” He heard them squeak.

“A witch? Invading the lair of a wizard? Are you stupid!” He poked at their face. They didn’t like that.

“Let me go!”

The witch was shaking and wheezing, glancing at him with wide fearful eyes. Yonah loosened his grip to allow them to breathe properly.

“If you’re a witch then what the fuck were you doing in my tower?” Yonah demanded.

The witch was still in shock but recovered enough to speak. “I’m… Myran! I wanted to introduce myself!”

“A likely story! Why would anyone want to introduce themselves to me?” Yonah wasn’t really in the mood for conversation, but figured he could use the practice at evil banter.

“You’re… new to the forest” they coughed.

“What’s it to you?”

“I’m your neighbor!” they said,

Yonah narrowed his eyes, “The forest is constantly moving, no such thing as neighbors.”

“I figured I’d try to be friendly!” they continued as if he hadn’t replied. “Everyone was talking about the new mage in the tower, but no one had any definitive stories.”

Another mistake. The giant snarled.

“Stop! Stop! I won't tell! I won’t tell!”

He dropped them and they sat, crying, holding their bleeding arm and hand which was turning a plum purple. The cat instantly got up and ran to his witch. Alternating between purring and hissing.

“Good” he hissed steam in their face, scalding the skin red, as his eyes glowed a bright orange. “Now get the fuck out before I decide to actually eat youl!” He flicked the broom at them “And if you ever show your face around here again, I will”

His first visitor in months wasn't an adventurer and he’d traumatized them without a second thought! Stupid stupid! Stupid!

Maybe this was his destiny. For years he’d trained himself to be restrained. Keep his anger in check, Keep his half giant identity a secret and become a wizard. But that had all gone to shit when he’d been discovered not as just a half giant but as a half fire witch. Chased out of the academy but captured by the authorities of Orr.

Forced to sign a contract with King Ben to become his new pet monster! So why not be a monster!?

But he still wanted friends… his friends from the academy weren’t allowed to visit him. His tower of magic and wonder was so empty. He put his elbows on his desk and buried his face in his hands.

~chink~ his elbow brushed against something.

He looked down and saw a broken clay pot, the soup spilling out and a seedling now helpless and exposed on the desk.

Quickly yonah dipped his fingers into a pouch at his side and licked off the powdered fungus before saying a spell. With a puff of smoke he stood on his desk, a mere 8ft tall, and he knelt down.

As he scooped it back in a piece of paper fell from the loose soil. Curious he dug it back out of the pot and cleaned it off enough to read:

“Welcome to the Mystical Woodlands new neighbor! This seedling is from my own garden. A special cultivation of Frozen Thyme.”

The moment he read it he was instantly planning where this would go in his garden. But… this gift. Did he deserve it? He’d terrorized the one who brought it. He chased them away!

With a thump he sat on his desk, looking around him, trying to imagine what this experience had been from the witch’s perspective. Tried to imagine what it would be like to have a snarling giant loom over you and snatch you up, when all you wanted to do was say hello...

He couldn’t accept this gift but he couldn’t just let the seedling wither and die. It didn’t deserve that. And thus, his brain rationalized a way for him to keep the gift. So now what?

With his mind a little more at ease, he managed to get himself to sleep.

And awoke the next morning with an ache in his heart and a new plan in his brain.

About ten minutes in, the bush began to shift! A section opened up and out ran a gnome with a garden spade. It smacked into his hand mid berry pick.

“Stop! Thief!”

SMACK SMACK!

Yonah was so startled he backed away and returned to his normal size, the basket of berries spilling over.

The gnome yelped. “Giant!” They dropped the spade. “Don’t eat me! Take berries! Don’t eat me or family!”

There was something satisfying about the gnome’s fear and Yonah grinned, “While you would make for a nice little snack,” he said, “I’m not in the mood for gnome today.”

The gnome shook and took up the spade again, pointing it at him as if that would help. From inside the bushes, Yonah heard rustling, and smelled more gnomes. This must cover their burrow.

“Put that away, or I might change my mind!” Yonah growled, showing his fangs. The gnome complied, tossing it aside.

The gnome gulped and nodded, “Am… sure we can make a deal.”

“Pick up the ones I already picked, will you?” Yonah ordered.

The gnome scrambled. “You will need more?”

Yonah nodded. The gnome whistled. And a troupe of younger gnomes carefully came out of the bramble.

“Kind giant has offered to buy some berries. Exchange for not eating us!”

The kids looked nervous and their fear didn’t spark the same kind of joy as the adults. But Yonah had a reputation to build! And he had to admit, it was still a bit fun.

“That all?” the gnome asked.

Who did not take it.

“Do not insult me by refusing my payment,” Yonah insisted but the gnome did not move.

“More than we charge normally… You wanted discount: berries, a silver a pound!”

Yonah blinked. He still wasn’t good with smallfolk money. When purchasing as a giant, you purchased such large amounts it always cost at least a gold.

“Actually!” Yonah announced as the gnomes started to back away into their burrow.

The adult stopped and looked nervous again. Yonah huffed. “I’m not going to eat you, I never was. I just have a question.”

The gnome ushered the kids away, not trusting Yonah, before turning back to the giant. “And if don’t have a good answer, you won’t eat… right?”

With a sigh Yonah shook his head, “No. I won't.”

“Then ask.”

The gnome smiles, “Yes! Mystical Market. Sell our berries there. Open today, also gnome holiday.” They gave Yonah the instructions on how to find the market.

“Thank you- er…” Yonah put a hand to his chest and bowed.

“Kalle” said Kalle.

“Yonah,” said Yonah. The gnome bowed as well, “Don’t be flaunting riches, mysterious half giant. Marketeers take advantage”

Riches!? He did not have endless funds. He would have to be more careful with his spending.

“I am also looking for… Er... Shit!” he exclaimed and was glad the kids were no longer outside, “I don't know their name. Dwarf witch.”

Kalle considered, “Know them. Likes almond cookies. Sorry. Market easier find than people. That all?”

Eventually it stopped and finally Yonah fell over, breathing shallowly as his heart raced. He rolled onto his back and stared up into the trees.

“What’s the big idea!?” Someone kicked him in the side and he sat up. “You’re blocking the way!”

An elf!

Yonah frowned. “You’re so bold for someone I could crush with a finger!” To tease the elf, he poked them in the chest.

“YEOWCH!”

For the second time that day, Yonah got bitten. This time, it was the elf who sank their fangs into his finger, letting go before Yonah pulled away.

“Don’t get sassy with me! Messing with smallfolk isn’t allowed in the market, you'll be banned!”

Yonah looked around “The market?”

And yet, there was a troll, large with brown fur and green spots, purchasing a roll of fabric from the elevated section of a gnome shop.

“Yes you idiot, the market! And my cart won't fit through any other path! Move your giant ass or I’ll get the guard to move it for you!”

His elation at having found the market was in conflict with his pride that was being so insulted by this little creature.

“Apologize for biting me, and I’ll consider it!”

The elf looked indignant, “You threatened to squash me! MAGEN!!” they yelled.

She knelt “This man bothering you?”

The elf nodded. Yonah threw his hands up, “Hey! I don’t mean any trouble!”

“He threatened to squash me!”

The giant glared at, Yonah who glared back.

“How large folk deal with smalls outside of the market is their own business,” she said. “But inside the market we do not even threaten to squash, or kick, or stomp, or eat!”

She nodded, “I can believe that.” She stood up. “I would have remembered you for sure.” She sniffed and said in implausible Giant: “You are from the blue sky tribe?”

“Yes! I am.” he answered, also in Giant. “I just moved to the forest. I was looking for the market but… I must have… hit something magic. I sort of fell into here”.

The elf took the opportunity to weave their cart around the giants’ feet, disappearing into the market.

“Ah, the seller seems to no longer push this issue. My name is Magen.” she introduced, bowing.

“Yonah HaEsh,” Yonah answered in return.

“HaEsh! I know the name. Fire man who helped save the Implausible Mountains from the Society of Wizards!”

“That’s my dad,” Yonah said, a little embarrassed.

“Mom told me the story! How exciting!”

Yonah brushed himself off and glanced around, “So... What are the rules here, then?”

“Does that happen often?” Yonah asked, “I only mean to buy food, I can tell if that’s fresh”

“Oh, you have a giant’s nose then. Good. It does not happen often. Makes my job easier. And I usually manage to break up confrontations before they get out of hand.”

“What is it like, being half giant?” Magen asked, who somehow managed to walk without looking at her feet very often at all. Maybe Yonah was being too careful and people here knew to stay out of the way of large folk's feet… Still, he didn't want to take chances.

“Er… I have hair, I guess?” he said.

“I was wondering if that was natural or a wig.” Magen brushed the vines spilling from her head.

“But mostly, things were just a bit inconveniently large for me. I still managed.” Then he countered. “What’s it like being a guard in the market?”

“The shopkeepers pool money to have me stand around, mostly. Smallfolk behave when an angry giant is within earshot.” She grinned with all her fangs.

“I thought you said giants couldnt mess with smallfolk here?” Yonah inquired.

“You can’t. It’s my job to interfere,” Magen retorted. “I haven't hurt anyone… badly. I’ve only worked here for a year. But I know everyone and everyone knows me!”

They stopped at a stand selling nuts and Yonah purchased the almonds he needed. The seller seemed a bit disappointed that he bought so few.

“Shopping for someone small?” Magen asked.

Before they continued, two elves leapt from the tree nearby and onto Yonah’s shoulders! He was about to brush them off when Magen stopped him.

“Don’t! They are just hitching rides!” At that, he spotted more elves on her head. “You need honey, yes? I know the best shop!”

Before Yonah left, he wanted to properly thank Magen. “If there is anything I can do to show thanks. Perhaps er-” he looked around.

“You know, the juice stand behind that tree has new flavors I’ve wanted to try. How about you buy me a drink? You should get one too. It’s very refreshing!”

“They make them giant sized?” Yonah asked.

“Oh, they are made by ogres!” Magen replied, rounding the indicated tree.

Ogres, kin of trolls and even more dangerous due to their magical powers. Typically smaller than trolls, but that was not the way to tell them apart.

“Edna! I’d like two passion fruit smoothies please! One giant sized and one…” She glanced back at Yonah. “Full Troll sized!” She stepped aside and pointed at Yonah. “He’s paying”

Edna nodded and passed on the order.

Yonah stepped forward. Bowing “Yonah HaEsh”. She bowed back, “Edna Baneclaw. That will be a gold bracelet for the giant and half for the full troll”

Yonah’s heart nearly stopped. A gold bracelet and a half !? He looked at Magen who flashed her fangs mischievously then back at Enda.

Edna smiled as well. “We don’t have enlarged passion fruit, not in high demand by largefolk.”

This better be fucking worth it. Yonah took a sip.

“What do you mean?”

“That took all the passion fruit we had,” Edna informed. “Won't get more for a while”

“Worth it! Suck it smallfolk!” Magen teased the people on the platforms, a few looked a bit annoyed, but most didn't seem to care. She didn't seem to care either.

“Well it was nice meeting you, Yonah. I hope to see you again. Oh, and by the way, you can return your mug to the ogres for a silver bracelet, even if you take it home today!”

Yonah glanced at his drink. “Oh! Thanks for letting me know. But where are you going?”

The moment he had walked far enough away from the market, he turned forward and then back, and it was already gone. He had nowhere to go but forward.

Yonah HaEsh climbed up the tower and back into his prison. He took off his hat and sat down at his desk in the workshop, staring into the reflection on the large, ornate mirror that rested upon it.

“Yonah!!!” she exclaimed. “You called! I cannot believe it!”

Yonah’s face turned a bit red. “I’ve… been distracted.”

Shoshana waved her hand, stopping any further excuses. “You’ve been through so much! I was worried! Since we graduated, you haven't called at all!”

“I need a recipe!” he said.

“I… haven’t meant to. But it’s surprisingly easy,” he admitted, grinning awkwardly. “I’d rather not go full hermit, of course.”

“Well, then dont go a month without calling your friends!” Shoshana chided. “Or make some new friends! The forest is full of interesting people, right?”

Yonah looked away, but his eyes were probably glowing orange now.

“This… is for that.”

“Oh!” Shoshana exclaimed, “I should have figured! Of course, I will give you whatever recipe you’d like.”

“Got that all down?” she asked, as she watched Yonah scribble out the final lines to the recipe.

“Yes!” Yonah exhaled in relief. “Thank you so much, Shosh!”

“Next time, we will catch up properly, but I had fun designing this recipe!” Shoshana chirped. “What a challenge. I wish you had called first, before just buying random ingredients.”

“I was already in the forest, Shosh.”

“I know, I know.” Shoshana blew Yonah a kiss and the mirror flickered back to his reflection.

It was time to bake! Which he did after shrinking down.

It was right after breakfast that Yonah HaEsh left the tower and, for the second time, entered the forest.

Red faced and holding a basket was… the giant. Only he wasn’t giant. Not exactly. He now stood at about twice Myran’s height. A little less actually. Right. Wizard. Giant wizard.

“May I come in?”

“Depends… what’s in the basket?” They narrowed their eyes. “I don’t want any nasty surprises.”

They leaned against the kitchen table and crossed their arms.

“Oh?” Yonah said, of course it made sense, he threatened them, bitten them, chased them out, why would he then try to find them again.

“You bit me! You broke my hand! And You said if you saw me again you would eat me!”

/Ohhhh/

Yonah’s breath caught before managing to say “I did… didn’t I.” He looked down at his feet.

They sighed.

“Yep. Though eating me at your current size would be an impressive feat. So- What the fuck are you doing here? Besides bringing me cookies to fatten me up.”

“I’m not-!” He looked back up to defend himself and saw their cheeky grin. “I didn’t come here to eat you…” they raised an eyebrow in sarcastic disbelief.

“I want to apologize. For chasing you away like that. I was so angry. I still am, though mostly at myself. I shouldn't have hurt you, you weren't an adventurer. It wasn’t right.” He was almost crying. Dammit, he’d gone nearly a month without crying!

The witch raised both eyebrows now, genuinely curious as to the workings of this monster’s thoughts. “Youre sorry for chasing me away!? You threatened to eat me!”

“It’s my job! It’s my job to terrorize people, Especially those who enter my tower unannounced. It’s part of my job! And… and I like it!” He startled himself with that statement. He liked his job? He didn’t even want this job!! He was forcefully employed by the King under threat of more conventional imprisonment! Being evil had never been his plan and he didn’t want that. Didn’t he?

The witch didn’t look completely satisfied with this answer. But they didn’t get to inquire further as Yonah’s curiosity got the better of him.

“Er- your hand…”

“What?” Yonah voiced. “For not killing you and putting a target on my back?”

“Yes, exactly. And that was curious. It is rare that evil giants are merciful.”

Yonah looked away, “I’ve only been evil for a few months. I… you’re the third person I've faced as my er… villainous self. And I haven’t… I dont plan on... eating anyone.”

That surprised Myran. “I guess I do not know the frequency that giants normally encounter adventurers…”

“You said it yourself, Evil Giants eat people…” Yonah pointed out, “But it comes with a cost… I am worried… even if I don't... It’s only a matter of time before slayers come after me.”

“Most evil giants kill their victims. Right?” they asked more directly.

Yonah shrugged “I met another one once. Said it depended on his mood.”

“Fascinating… though if you keep up your merciful streak, perhaps you are less likely to attract slayers?”

“Perhaps…” Yonah had not considered that. He just felt he wasn’t ready to kill anyone yet, but maybe there were other perks than just his own conscience to continue to let his victims go.

“Cracked some sort of code then? Getting to be a villain without attracting too much attention?” Then they added “Not that this would stop all slayers. I expect you would kill a slayer?”

Yonah wasn’t really listening to Myran any longer. There were other things on his mind. Things he had spent the entire walk over here mulling over, and he had to voice them sooner rather than later.

As tears welled in his eyes he couldn’t look at Myran any longer. He closed his eyes and turned his face away.

“You… how did you find out that I liked almonds!”

“You alright?” Myran asked, offering a handkerchief. “You’re a very emotional evil giant.”

Yonah took it and dried his eyes. “The tea is… really good.” That wasn’t the real reason but right now he couldn’t process all of his emotions.

“It’s my grandma’s blend,” Myran said. “I’ve tried to replicate it using my garden, but you just can’t replicate those tunnel grown fungi.”

They dipped one of the cookies into the tea. From their expression, it wasn’t really a mistake but likely didn’t improve the experience. Still they munched thoughtfully.

“I’ll be your friend.”

“Just don’t eat me!”

Yonah smiled.

“I think I can manage that”

[FIN]

——

(You can imagine that Yonah got to hug Myran before he left, probably a little too tight but dwarves are tough!)

[THANKS FOR READING! PLEASE REBLOG/GIVE ME FEEDBACK!!! I CRAVE IT!]

Big thanks to my editors @j0hnnymouse and @vixen525

#gianttiny #g/t writing #g/t fearplay #g/t fluff #g/t fiction #g/t #g/t angst #giant/tiny

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