#VERSE ≫ ( taking pride from fear. )

[sonicssweetheart]

do u do x reader fics / reqs ?

if so,,,, can u do prime characters x reader headcanons (none in specific js curious on your ideas!!)

sonic prime characters x gn!reader || platonic / romantic headcanons

ᝰ.ᐟ disclaimer: i’m simply sticking to the new yoke city + green hill universes since that would take a lot of time to write!

⊱ ─── [ 💌 ] ─── ⊰

— sonic ;

there’s no doubt that sonic needs you around at all times throughout the plot. any universe he goes, he wants you to go with, no excuses. however, this backfires because he never stops to think how something may be affecting you negatively and only thinks the opposite.

“i..i assumed you would want this too after seeing things the way i do.” (ref to THAT scene…)

that being said, sonic can be selfish at times, but of course he always has the best interest at heart. he simply needs to learn how to think before he acts.

he’s very playful and finds it hard to be serious when you need him to be so the most, all because he’s afraid of confrontation and constructive criticism. he can be a little stubborn when it comes to you trying to ease him out of denial, but when he finally lets go, you can tell how anxious he is.

is always reminding you how much you mean to him at random moments. it could be completely out of the blue, when you’re reading a book or doing laundry, he doesn’t see a restriction to remind you of your worth. you will never have to worry about not being enough for him.

— shadow ;

it takes ALOT for shadow to be direct about how he feels about you; it’s all about subtle things for him.

he will show up to your door with a gift and brush it off like it’s a daily thing and has no impact on your relationship, or completes a task for you that he deems as “not worthy enough for you to stress about.”

his compliments come off more as rude rather than genuine and polite. again, he can’t be too direct out of fear of embarrassment — so sugarcoating it with annoyance works for him.

“don’t wear that, what are you, ancient? that piece doesn’t give you any credit.”

“you’re undeniably fatuous. however, you’re not dull, i guess i’ll give you that.

secretly protective as well. he will sneakily follow you around or just keep an eye on you by a nearby tree whenever he has an instinct that something may go wrong. he unquestionably abuses the chaos emerald to get to wherever you are as fast as possible. if he were ever caught, a scoff and a “i’m ensuring you will not cause havoc by acting foolish.” is the most of an explanation you will get.

if you’re travelling the shatterverse, he is very precise in the rules you follow so you don’t get hurt or lost. he would blame it all on himself if that were the case.

— amy ;

in the green hill universe, she adores you like a bee loves a flower. she takes pride in being close with you, and i like to think she always her arm linked with yours. she’s comfortable enough to talk to animals around you, as it comforts her immensely. she loves when you do little things for her like tending to gardens around the terrain, making her little crafts and standing up for her over little disputes between her and whoever.

“you do so much for me, y/n, you are so… ugh, i don’t know! thank you, for everything.”

in the new yolk universe, rusty rose is indifferent about you depending on how you treat her. if you act as if you’re sorry for her and see her mechanical front as a disability, she will refrain from speaking to you. your best bet is to treat her as you would anyone else but still admire the small things about her that makes her her. she doesn’t want anything huge, like big favours or even small things that don’t matter to her, however she LOVES flowers, just like canon verse amy. when you finally confess how you feel about her and offer a rose, the poor girl is so confused, yet secretly beaming inside.

“…i do not comprehend what you are telling me. you… really? i do not believe i was programmed to reciprocate, but… i feel warmth. is that good?”

— rouge ;

in the green hill universe, she is infatuated by you, however she still makes you work for her friendship/love. she likes the reassurance that someone will fight for her, as for i believe she was wronged in her past. help her fight in battle, participate in her favourite activities, compliment her style; you will gain her trust and devotion quickly. rouge likes to tease, knowing that you feel something for her, whether it be just wanting her friendship or more.

“dear, you know if you want something, you can come get it, right? it’s upsetting seeing you so defeated. oh, what’s wrong? did i touch a nerve?~”

in the new yoke universe, she rests similar, however she is very devoted to the friends and acquaintances she already has. she isn’t looking to complicate her life anymore, and would rather look ahead then stay in place and relish in the moment. but, you can twist that fact by helping her out without getting in her way. she will begin to see your respect and appreciation, and might even reward it with a token of gratitude.

“i saw what you did back there. i gotta say, you’re.. something else. don’t, uh, be a stranger.”

— knuckles ; (new yoke —> no place. dread knuckles>>)

in the green hill universe, he’s pretty stern towards you at first, but grows protective fast. as much as he wouldn’t admit it, he shows off in front of you in hopes that you’re impressed by his manly attitude and confident demeanour, and holds pride for weeks on end when you acknowledge it. he’s the type to challenge you to different activities that test strength and skill, and whether you’re successful or not, all he admires is your willingness to try. he loves those who don’t care if they’re good or bad at something and does it anyway because they want to, not because they have to, which sort of makes him think of his younger self and soothes his self destructive behaviour over it.

“not bad, little one. best of five next time? …you’re tired? oh, don’t be indolent. we’re almost done.” (he wants to see you thrive sooo bad)

in the no place universe, he is very upfront. if he wants to hang around you, take you on a date, have a deep talk, or anything along those lines — he’ll let you know. this man knows he’s everyone’s dream to befriend and follow like a God, and he takes pride in that. he’s also very persuasive by convincing you to do things you would never do, whether it be something as simple as trying a new food or swan diving off of mount everest. you give him that rush he craves in life, especially since life can be plain out on the water, but you give him that spark whenever you comply to his challenges. sometimes late at night while you’re both coaxed in the mood on the dock, he’s sloshing whiskey in his tainted cup and muttering to himself you.

“err… without you, this ship’d be soulless for sure. ya’ bring a fire, a flame to this old lassie, and i’d be sure not even hell could melt the ice frozen upon its ol’ heart.

— tails ; [FAMILIAL/PLATONIC ONLY]

in the green hill universe, tails admires you. he looks up to you as his mentor similar to sonic and is always happy to help when you’re in need. since tails didn’t grow up with a parental figure, sometimes he catches himself imagining such with you, and he feels embarrassed. he isn’t used to relying on someone else to fix his problems, and usually he just plain doesn’t like it. but with you — you follow his boundaries perfectly which makes him feel immensely appreciated and seen, something he looks for in a friend. he’ll let you know once in awhile how he appreciates your kindness, but his insecurities slip through every time.

“you know you don’t have to do this, right? i know im a kid, but you don’t have to take care of me… you want to?” (he looks down at whatever he’s doing, where you can see the small smile creep on the corner of his mouth)

in the new yoke universe, he is very apathetic towards you at first. he sees you just as another sonic, trying to change him to be his opposite reality self, but when he’s met with acceptance and loyalty — he begins to change his mind. he would never say it out loud, but he has a small spark of hope that you could be a forever companion he wouldn’t have to worry about betraying it. his ways of showing how he cares differs from letting you watch/help him work, crafting you things you mentioned you needed, letting you ask questions about his past (which takes some time). however, the smallest inconvenience relating to your friendship towards him can trigger him such as mentioning going somewhere without him, wanting to hang out with someone else, or just seeming off throughout the day.

“did you just lie the whole time? is that was this is? a game? original, y/n. i can’t even look at you right now.”

but, of course, when the reassurance and gentle conversation follows quickly afterwards, he reverts to an embarrassed but now angry at himself front.

“… okay. just… you would tell me if you were a traitor, right? sometimes i’m stupid and can’t tell. sorry.”

[wtfsteveharrington]

hope this isn’t weird but the end of the luca blurb you posted where they both get hurt on accident has made my mind run haywire thinking of luca and assplay,,,

i have been........... thinking about this a lot i fear. uh oh!

contains: semi intoxicated & unprotected sex, spitting, ass fingering (idk how to say this gracefully okay), slight mention of spanking. some dom-ish!luca vibes hehe. afab!reader!

this isn't my normal style of writing but i'm just a little rotten at the idea

i think it'd have to start when you were both a little tipsy, inhibitions lowered. you jokingly bent over the table when you got back to the apartment, groaning and struggling to kick off your shoes while you relax across the cool table.

he'd catch you struggling from the corner of his eye and come over to grab your hips, chuckling to himself. "you're gonna hurt yourself if you keep this up."

squatting down behind you and grabbing ahold of your ankle, gently guiding you to lift your foot off the ground so he can slide your shoe off before following suit with the second shoe as well.

warm hands cupping your calves and running along your legs. "luca..." you'd groan out, causing a shiver to run through his body.

the energy would change so quick.

he's squeezing your calves and kissing the back of your knee when he feels you rustling around above him and suddenly your panties are being pushed down your thighs. if he was of a clearer mind he'd probably tease you about how easily you got these off verses the struggle of your shoes.

but he's not.

luca's standing up so quick and unbuckling his jeans, the sound of his zipper being undone causing your breathing to pick up. you're reaching back to pull your skirt up to the middle of your back, exposing yourself to him and the two of you work in comfortable silence. desire pushing the interaction along.

your chest is flat against the table, hands reaching back to spread yourself open for him. you hear him gasp at the sight. as a reward there's a finger pushing into you without much warning, neither of you wanting to waste any time.

the mess of whines and pleas falling from your lips is making him dizzy and he doesn't take long before you feel his finger slide out and the tip of his cock gliding between your folds. he's letting out a groan at how wet you feel that causes a surge of... pride? in your chest. knowing you're pleasing him.

"fuck you need this bad." he grumbles out and you'd respond, a panicked noise of agreement combined with a mess of begging, but instead he's pushing into you before you can respond.

you cry out, arching your hips so he has a better angle as he gives you a moment to adjust before picking up his pace. he grabs ahold of one of your hands, pinning it to the small of your back while your other hand still clutches your own ass.

"very good, so fucking good." he'd praise, his hips clapping against your body with each deep stroke.

he's going to spit on your pussy, adding even more lubrication to your already soaked core, but with the combination of lust and liquor in his brain he... misses.

and now his hips stall as he watches his split slide down your backside, dripping over your clenched hole he's never had to courage to ask you to explore yet. you two were just a few months in, still getting comfortable.

"luca... why did you stop?" you sound pathetic and he can barely register your words as he slowly starts moving his hips. without thinking he brings his hand up, dragging his thumb through the spit and applying the softest pressure to your hole which causes you to gasp.

both of you stall for a second, luca shocking himself by being so bold. "i'm so sor-" he goes to apologize, but instead he feels your pussy squeeze around his length and you start to fuck yourself back on him. "a-again..."

he's glad to do as he's told. the pressure returning to your tight hole which makes both of you moan.

the combination of his pace picking up combined with him exploring is sending you into orbit. "relax for me, love." you do, letting your body melt under his touch and he spits down onto you again.

your arms give out and the one that was holding yourself open falls to the side while the one under his grip weighs heavy against your back. a gasp falls from your lips as he pushes into the tight ring with his finger. even with just one you feel so full. "oh fuck!"

luca watches in amazement as your orgasm hits you suddenly and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't proud of himself. his finger stays buried in you while he fucks himself in, letting you both savor the feeling of the aftershocks of your peak. neither of you expected you to finish that quick, speaking to just how aroused you ended up getting.

he's cooing down at you. "you want me to fuck you here next." not a question, a statement. he already knows you too well. you're nodding as your body goes lax against the table, breathing heavy.

a few minutes pass and he's popping his finger out of you, smacking his hand against your ass sharp enough to leave a faint hand print before pulling out of you.

"go get in bed, we're not done."

your legs were already weak but you feel like jell-o now as you nod, shakily standing up and letting him support you as you walk to the bedroom for what's bound to be a long night.

[on-a-lucky-tide]

Simon is left to herd a drunk Nik back to the hotel room.

cw: alcohol mention, horniness.

"Do-o-on't go was-ting your emo-o-tion, lay a-all your lo-o-ve on me-e-e! Hrk, heh heh." Nik tightened his arm around Simon's shoulders as they clambered out of the taxi and Simon had to readjust quickly to avoid getting pulled back into the backseat. When he went out drinking with Johnny and Garrick, it was usually a case of scruffing them by the back of the coat and hauling them ‘round like boisterous puppies, but Nik was the same height, a few pounds heavier due to his bulk, and a damn sight more fuckin’ handsy than the two sergeants. If they got to the hotel without Nik copping a feel and Simon getting a responding boner, then the operation should be considered a success.

"Cheers, mate," Simon grunted at the cabbie, tapping his card against the outstretched machine. He paused long enough to watch the little tick flash up on the screen before shoving his wallet away. "Nik, fockin'... Put yer arm... easy, easy." Nik staggered and Simon placed a hand on his chest to keep him upright, trying not to focus on how nice his damn tits felt beneath his buttoned shirt.

They had been drinking with Mac following a long conference in Westminster. It turned out that the old man, ten years senior even to Nik, was a bad fuckin' influence because they had knocked back enough liquor between the two of them to sedate an amatuer county rugby team.

Simon and Price had sat there, watching the whole thing go down in stunned silence, clutching their pints with the same look on their faces as tourists watching a pride of lions tear apart a gazelle on the Serengeti; one part awe, one part intrigue, two parts horror. Shot after shot, pint after pint; Mac's accent becoming unintelligible and Nik slipping in and out of multiple languages like he'd completely lost track of where he was. When Nik had stood on the table to sing an off-key rendition of KISS’ ‘Made for Lovin’ You’ while pointing directly at Price, the landlord had turfed ‘em out onto the street.

The old man was taking the old-old man back to his hotel, because trying to manage Mac and Nik together was beyond the capabilities of even the greatest minds in MI6, let alone two drunk SAS officers. Divide and conquer was the order of the night.

"I still don't know what you've done-with-me... hrk, brp. A grown-up woman should never fall-so-eas-i-ly," Nik brayed, finding a hip flask from somewhere inside his bloody jacket as they ambled an uneven path to the front door. Simon promptly confiscated it, shoving it into his backpocket. Nik pouted, but soon got distracted by the star-studded sky above their heads, his expression turning wistful as he put one unsteady foot in front of the other. "'Cause everything is new, and everything is you..."

Simon managed to get them through the hotel foyer after scanning the key card, and manhandled Nik towards the lift. "You skipped a verse."

"Shtoh?" Nik hiccuped again, suddenly leaning in close and watching the side of Simon's masked face through his eyebrows. The cold tip of his nose brushed against Simon’s exposed earlobe and it sent a shiver across his shoulders, Nik’s lips and teeth so close to his hammering pulse.

Simon didn't know why he fockin' said it. Maybe he was drunker than he thought. "It's ‘I feel a kinda fear, when I don't 'ave ya near, un-sat-isfied, I skip my pride, I beg you, dear.’"

"You do not have - hrk - to beg me, lieutenant. I would drop to my knees for you at - hic - a word."

Simon shoved Nik into the lift and slapped the buttons, propping the massive arsehole against the mirror with both hands. Nik took his opportunity and placed both hands on the swell of Simon's chest with a longing little groan, palms brushing over peaked nipples as his fingertips caressed the sides. "Ty takaya goryachaya, chto u menya stoyak na stoyake."

"Nik, ya bloody pervert, ya gavaryu paruskee," Simon huffed. He didn’t push Nik’s hands away. It was too late. His jeans had pulled tight at the crotch, his hands braced on the cold glass as he leaned in so that Nik would be firmer.

Nik wriggled his eyebrows as he squeezed, ignoring the intensity of Simon's deadpan stare in favour of enjoying the feel of his body through his cotton shirt. Simon's skin exploded with goosebumps as those big hands swept over his collarbones and shoulders, before swooping down to the dips of his waist. He was thicker where Price was athletic, but damn if Nik's hands didn't made him feel... handled. When those strong fingers slid through the loops of his jeans and pulled him forward so their hips slotted together, Simon had to swallow the needy little sound building in his throat. God, fuck, Nik was hard too. It would feel so good to rut against him like a humpin’ dog—

The lift pinged and the doors slid open behind him. With great effort, he dragged Nik into the hallway towards his room. Unfortunately, Nik had decided to become even more unhelpful, one hand swooping beneath Simon's shirt to the blond scruff of his happy trail with a horny rumble that shot straight to Simon's groin, and he had to readjust so his damn chubby could find a bit of extra space down his right trouser leg.

"The things I would do to you," Nik growled into Simon's neck as Simon fumbled the key card out of his jacket.

"'Mount you just sunk I'd be surprised if you could keep it up, old man," Simon replied, shoving the door handle down with his elbow and falling across the threshold into Nik's room. In three strides, he was dumping over two hundred pounds worth of lecherous Russian onto the mattress, only for said Russian to latch on and drag him down too.

"You are so prickly, lieutenant," Nik murmured, big arms clutching Simon's face to his chest. "But such a - hrk - handsome boy."

"Nik let me ge' m' face out ya tits so I c'n get ya boots off,” Simon said, muffled by said tits and not really wanting to leave them, because Nik smelled bloody edible.

Nik let out a dramatic sigh and flopped his arms out either side, and Simon slipped away to remove his boots and jacket. His hands hesitated as they rose to Nik's belt, noting that alcohol had clearly done little to dampen his spirits. Simon swallowed thickly and pulled back. “Need a slash,” he murmured as he fled into the en suite for a bit of a breather. When he released his cock from the confines of his jeans, it bobbed up eagerly towards his stomach. So much for a fuckin’ piss. Simon braced his hands against the sink and closed his eyes, willing himself to think of anything but Nik’s big hands sliding down its length as he sat across that warm stomach, feeling all that core strength and fur between his thighs, maybe that clever bloody mouth swallowing him down after he fucked Nik’s tits, and.. “Fuck sake.”

Think of Mac. Wrinkly ballsacks, false teeth, old man smell… anything.

Simon looked up quickly when he heard the sound of the minibar opening and the first notes of music from the television. “Nikolai,” he grunted in exasperation, tucking his now semi-erect dick back into his boxers as he headed back into the main room to corral the captain’s bloody boyfriend into a glass of water and a kip.

“The night is young,” Nik said as Simon approached him, thrusting a bottle of beer into his hands. “And, perhaps, I can convince you into a few more poor choices before it is over.”

Simon stared at the bottle and then Nik’s broad grin. He drew in a deep sigh and unhooked the mask from his ear. “Fine. But when Price gets ‘ere, you’re dealin’ with the bollockin’.”

“Deal.”

—

Mac had fallen asleep on the cab journey back to his hotel and Price had half carried him to his bed, staying long enough to top up a glass of water and make sure the old man didn’t suffocate face down in his sleep, before heading back to his own for what he thought would be some shut eye, maybe some sloppy head from a horny Russian if he was lucky. As he stepped out of the lift, he heard the low thump-thump of music from down the hall, and it only grew louder the closer he got to his room.

The sight that met him when he tapped the key card and opened the door would live with him as a fond memory until the end of his days. Nik and Simon were half undressed, jeans and socks on the floor, Nik’s shirt unbuttoned, as they bounced enthusiastically on the bed, sheets and pillows dishevelled. The music playing from the television was some corny pop track from 2014 — "Oh, don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me." I said, "You're holding back." She said, "Shut up and dance with me!” — and they were both crowing along to the lyrics, the remains of the mini bar toasted at the ceiling.

“Bloody muppets,” Price said through a fond chuckle as he closed the door. If they ended up in a pile of semi-naked bodies, occasionally waking to press lazy kisses to whatever patch of skin was closest, and Simon’s room next door remained empty for the night… well, brass didn’t need to know, did they?

[sonamytrash]

Little one

Levi x reader fic about the birth of your first child. All fluff.

Warnings: Pregnancy, birth, labour, discussion of birth.

(I'm not as well versed with human parturition as I am with animals, couldn't tell you how many animals I've delivered. But I've tried to keep the science out of it for the most part.) Enjoy!

The sky was a perfect shade of blue, untouched by a single cloud. A soft breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees, their delicate greenery dancing in the afternoon sunlight. It was the kind of day that made you want to throw open the windows and breathe in the fresh air to revel in the simple beauty of nature.

The sunlight streams through the tall, arched windows of the conference room, casting a warm glow across the polished wooden table. The air is heavy with the scent of freshly brewed tea and the faint sound of birds chirping outside. It was a beautiful afternoon in spring, and yet there was an undercurrent of tension that seemed to permeate the room.

The familiar scent of your shared home greeted Levi as he burst through the door. He calls out your name, his voice hoarse from fear and adrenaline. The quiet that meets his ears is unsettling before he hears movement and a cry of discomfort from upstairs.

He enters the bedroom to see your face contorted in pain, one hand clutching the sheets, the other resting on your swollen belly. You let out another anguished groan.

Levi rushed to your side, his heart in his throat. "I'm here. I'm here. I love you," he murmured, taking your hand in his. Your eyes fluttered open, and you forced a weak smile.

"You made it." You whispered, gripping his hand tightly. "It hurts, Levi." Your voice broke, and you let out a shuddering breath. He could see the sweat beading on your forehead, the effort it took for you to breathe.

Levi's brow furrows with concern as he watches you grip his hand and the bedsheets, the lines of pain etched across your features. Brushing a stray lock of hair from your flushed face, he leans in, his steely gray eyes filled with a rare softness.

"I'm here, I've got you," he assures you, his voice firm but gentle. He reaches down to rub your back, hoping to offer some comfort. "You can do this. You're the strongest person I know."

You close your eyes and let out a shaky chuckle, "That's something coming from humanities strongest." You reply, your humerus side still shining through despite the pain, right as you feel your body tensing as another contraction grips you. Levi holds your hand tightly, feeling helpless as he watches you suffer. Wishing there was something he could do to take away the pain, to make it all better, as many fathers have thought before him.

"Just focus on breathing. I'm not going anywhere." Glancing up at the midwife, he arches a questioning brow. "How much longer?"

The midwife examines you again, "Not long now, you're doing great." She comments reassuringly rubbing your shoulders, smiling at Levi.

"You can do this," he whispers, kissing your forehead. "You're almost there." He could see the tension easing from your body as the contraction faded, and he took the opportunity to rub your back again, hoping to ease some of the pain. Guiding you to sit back comfortably on the bed.

Nothing in this world had frightened him like this. No calibre of titan could ever cause him to feel so scared and so helpless as he did in these moments.

"You're doing great. Just a few more pushes." The midwife exclaims reassuringly from the foot of the bed.

"You're doing amazing." He says again, though he's not entirely sure you're listening to him at this point. He watches as the midwife guides you through the next push, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and awe as he watches you bringing your child into the world. A level of strength he has never seen from another human before.

Another contraction makes itself known, and you let out a primal scream that seemed to shake the very foundations of the room. Levi holds you tightly, and he feels your body tensing, bracing himself for the final push for what feels like forever.

You let out a long, shuddering breath, your body relaxing into Levi's arms as the final contraction eased and the sound of a crying baby echoes through the room.

"Congratulations, mum and dad," the midwife says with a warm smile, deftly  cutting the umbilical cord and cleaning the baby up, bringing them to your chest. "You have a healthy baby boy." Levi's heart soars at the words, and he can't help but let out a shaky breath. Everything happens so fast, and yet time feels like everything around him is standing still.

Levi's eyes shine with unbridled adoration as he gazes upon his newborn son, a rare, tender smile tugging at the corners of his lips as the baby settles in your embrace.

While the midwife works around you attentively, making sure you're stable and comfortable. Levi feels a surge of protectiveness wash over him as he looks down at your child, marvelling at every detail: the downy fuzz on his head, the tiny fingers and toes, his little lips pursed.

Your eyes are filled with tears of joy and exhaustion as you gaze down at your son, your chest heaving with each breath, the pain almost a distant memory.

Levi wipes a tear from his own cheek, feeling a surge of emotion so intense it's almost painful. "He's perfect."

You look up at Levi and smile, your eyes glistening with tears of joy and relief. You reach out and gently touch your son's tiny hand, fingers entwining with his. "He is."

Levi's voice is low and gruff, barely above a whisper as he leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "You did it, love," he whispers, his voice breaking with emotion. "You're amazing. God, I love you." He says. Shifting closer, he carefully wraps an arm around you both, his steely eyes reflecting the pure adoration he feels for his new family.

Levi brushes his fingers over the baby's impossibly soft skin, marvelling at the feeling of life, of newness in his touch.

Levi's lips curve into a faint, amused smirk as he gazes down at the dark-haired newborn, the resemblance to his own features unmistakable.

"Looks like he takes after his old man, huh?" His tone is gruff but tinged with a rare fondness as he brushes a gentle finger across the baby's downy locks. "Hopefully, he's got your personality to balance it out." He says quietly not to disturb the perfect scene in front of him.

He looks down at the dark hair that covers your sons head, the same hair that he has. It's a tangible reminder of the connection they share, of the life you've built together.

"Hello, little one,"

[xiiithhazard]

Sweet Victory

Knuckles finds a kitten (Movie Verse)

Word Prompt 6 – Sweet

@year-of-the-echidna

(Warnings at the end)

…

Knuckles opened his eyes, distracted from his mediation, when a noise echoed through the forest, again and again. He didn’t recognize the species; however, it sounded distinctively like the cries of a child. So, he immediately got to his feet and followed.

 It took him several minutes to finally locate the source, but eventually he found himself looking down into a large natural pit, that had been filled partway by last night’s rain. But amongst the water was also a tiny struggling form that was continuing to cry out for help, as it clung to one wall, unable to climb the slick surface alone.

Careful, so as not to collapse the pit, Knuckles lowered himself over the edge and dug his spikes into the wall, first by first, gradually getting closer and closer to the little animal, until he was finally in the water himself, and was able to reach out.

The creature instantly clung to his hand, shaking from both fear and cold, as he gently held it close to his chest, sharing his own warmth and allowing the tiny thing to cuddle with him for a moment. “Fear not, little one.” He told it supportively and smiled, before he set his feet onto the wall to help him anchor himself and began climbing back to the top with only one hand. “Your battle is won. Victory is yours.”

…

“Maddie?” He asked, waiting just outside the door of the Wachowski home, as he was now covered in mud and the human woman in the kitchen would likely skin him and eat him if he dared take one step inside.

“Yes, honey.” She said without looking up from her dishes, but she got no response, so she looked over her shoulder just to make sure he was still there. Only to gasp at what she saw. “Oh, my goodness.” She proclaimed, quickly grabbing the towel as she rushed to the echidna and gently placed it around the tiny black kitten that was completely soaked through. “What happened?”

“I found it in a hole.” He explained simply, though he looked be positively beaming with pride. “Its battle was fierce. But it fought bravely, despite all hope being lost.”

Maddie blinked, but quickly melted into a warm smile, as she reached out to run her hand over his quills. “Found a kindred spirit, did you?” He looked up, a little confused by her words, but seemed to get the general meaning. “Would you like to keep him –” She took a quick peek under the kitten’s belly. “Her.” She corrected.

“What do you mean?” Knuckles asked, looking kind of put off now.

“Like how we keep Ozzy.” She explained, but he just took a step back, protecting the kitten with his body and looking positively horrified.

“Ozzy is a member of the clan. He is not kept.”

Realizing there had been a misinterpretation somewhere, a common thing when it came to Knuckles, Maddie resorted to her usual method of deescalating the situation. “Okay - what do you mean by ‘kept’?” She asked and he relaxed, realizing as well that she would not ask if she had truly meant it to be as distressing as he found it.

“When I was kept, I was put in chains and left in a cage.” He declared this as if he was merely asking for butter on his toast. Despite the fact that Maddie nearly stopped breathing for a moment.

“What?” She coughed, trying to keep her cool and not freak him out. But he was too perceptive for his own good sometimes and realized he’d said something that had upset her.

“I apologize. My past can be disturbing to others. I should not have brought it up.”

“No, no.” She insisted, taking his hand in both of hers and took a deep breath to steady herself. “I never want you to feel like you can’t talk about these things with us. We’re family. A clan. We’re here for each other, even when it’s tough and especially if – one of us needs to talk about something.”

Knuckles blinked at that and looked at the floor, clearly taking her words to heart. However, when he looked back, he didn’t accept the offer. “I do not need to speak of it. I was merely trying to explain.”

“You’re sure?” He seemed slightly concerned now, as he looked deep into her eyes, seeing something that even she might not have known was there.

“Do you wish for me to talk of it?” He asked instead and she realized her words of wisdom had backfired slightly. As he now believed that he was needed in a family moment, to aid her through the discussion of something.

Smiling despite the seriousness of the situation, Maddie couldn’t help but reach out and pull him into a hug. Her little warrior, always prepared to protect his family, even if he didn’t understand what to do.

“I am – confused.” He whispered into her shoulder, not pulling away, but not returning the hug either.

“It’s okay.” She giggled and released him again, as she took another deep breath to steady her nerves. Still haunted by the mental image of her child sitting terrified behind bars, his body shackled and bound in chains. “It doesn’t bother you? You’re past?” She asked lovingly and he looked down at the kitten still cuddled into his arms, as he tried to answer her with as much honesty as he was able.

“Perhaps it did –” He admitted, though something about the way he said it made her think that he really wasn’t sure. “But it is the past now. I have no need of it anymore.”

Well, that was an elegant way of putting it. “Okay.” She said, gently running her hand over his quills again. “But if it ever does start to bother you, even a little. Will you come to me?”

He thought about that, clearly unsure why she would ask such a thing. But, in the end, it didn’t matter, as he would do anything to ensure that she was happy. “I will.” He promised and she smiled again, before returning her attention to the kitten.

…

An hour later, Knuckles and the kitten had both been cleaned of all traces of mud and were now standing happily in the warm air of the blow dryer, when Tom, Sonic and Tails returned from the store, carrying what appeared to be half the building’s entire stock.

“Hey, where’d you find him?” Tom asked, at this point, he was pretty accustomed to Maddie bringing home surprise animals. However, this was the first time Sonic or Tails got to experience it, thus they immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed over to see.

“Aw.” Tails cooed, trying to pet the little creature, however, she was still a bit skittish and seemed to only want to be touched or held by Knuckles for now. The fox didn’t take it personally though. “What happened?”

“Knucks rescued our little friend from drowning.” Maddie explained pridefully, carefully aiming the blow dryer at the kitten’s tummy.

“Awww.” Sonic cooed, throwing an arm over his brother’s shoulder. “Always knew you were a big softy.”

Knuckles glared at him for a moment, before swiftly elbowing the hedgehog straight in the gut, which sent him to the floor in a breathless heap. “I’ll have you know that she did most of the work. I merely helped when her own skill was not enough.” He explained as if talking about the weather. “Even the strongest of warriors require help sometimes.”

“Even you?” Sonic suggested smugly, holding his stomach as he got to his feet again, only for Knuckles to trip him this time, sending him right back to the floor in one swift moment.

“Yes.” The warrior admitted unashamedly, before looking down when the kitten began to make a noise. “Maddie?” He said, tilting his head with interest. “There is a – rhythmic kind of sound emanating from her.”

“She’s purring, sweetheart.” She explained, finally turning the dryer off and ran her hand over the kitten’s fur to see if she missed anything. “That means she’s happy and content.”

“Oh, well – good. I am glad.”

She smiled, before getting up to search through the groceries Tom was still putting away all by himself and eventually came back with a packet of sliced turkey, which she ripped into little pieces and fed to the starving little creature.

Suddenly she went from blissfully asleep, to snarling and growling at her meal. Not merely eating but conquering her prey. Her fur expanding like a sponge soaking up battle energy, as if she’d been possessed by a pocket-sized lion.

“Oh – beware the meat-fueled menace.” Sonic proclaimed in amusement, taking a step back and protecting himself with a pillow. “Careful now, I think she’s about to unlock a new evolutionary form.”

Maddie giggled as she handed the feeding off to Knuckles. “She’s just feisty. That’s good.” She announced, happy to see it. Before looking back at the echidna, who was smiling in such a way that he almost looked like a proud parent. “What are you going to call her?”

“Kitten.” He said simply and she giggled again.

“Honey, we’ve talked about this. People have names. Remember?” She insisted, even though most of their earlier conversations on the topic had not actually achieved anything. As he’d only taken that to mean that ‘Humans’ had names. The jury was apparently still out on Sonic and Tails.

“How old is she?” Knuckles asked randomly, which startled the woman a tad, though she still examined the kitten again and answered.

“Maybe 5 or 6 months. Why?”

“Then she is not old enough to receive her name.” That got everyone’s attention.

“Is that why you always call me Fox? Because I’m too young.” Tails asked curiously. It seemed he’d wanted to ask this question for a while now, but he just hadn’t known how to bring it up in conversation.

“It is not merely your age. You have not undergone your naming ceremony, correct?”

The fox blinked at that and rubbed his head. “Well – no. I guess not.” He admitted sheepishly and Knuckles simply nodded, as if he’d made his point.

“What about me? I’m only a year younger than you.” Sonic proclaimed, a little insulted, but the echidna just huffed and waved him off.

“That is more out of habit.” He admitted, leaving his brother looking irritated and highly insulted. Clearly the echidna had cursed the name ‘hedgehog’ a number of times before they had met and subsequently learned that they were not so different after all.

“So, what’s a naming ceremony?” Tom stepped in before the two started up their usual rivalry. And came over to sit with them, having given up on ever getting help with the groceries. Though Knuckles proceeded to look almost flabbergasted by his question.

“It is the ritual all children of the clan undertake, when they come of age to be warriors.” He explained enthusiastically. “They spend several days in mediation, connecting spiritually with our ancestors. Eventually, if all goes well, the Ancient Walkers will approach and give the child the name that they pulled from the chaos stream.”

“Oh.” They all said at once, as if that made perfect sense.

“And what age is that?” Maddie decided to add, before Sonic started in on the questions instead and they found themselves bombarded by his endless talking for the next six hours.

“8.” He stated, however, this answer made both Tom and Maddie look at each other with sudden concern.

“Hey, buddy.” Tom spoke up, leaning in to talk to the echidna in a more serious manner. “How old did you say you were, when your clan was –” He couldn’t make himself finish, but Knuckles understood anyway.

“I was 6.” That answer always made them wince. Especially considering that two of their children had lost everything on that same day, with Sonic being even younger at the time.

“Then – you never got a naming ceremony?” Maddie riddled out, causing the echidna to look down as he continued to offer the kitten more food.

“No, I did not.”

Seemingly figuring it out for themselves, Tails and Sonic looked suddenly crestfallen, before Sonic took it upon himself to walk over and lay his hand on his brother’s shoulder. All signs of his earlier joking put aside.

“I didn’t know that – I’m sorry.” He said gently. Though he’d never had anyone but Longclaw and didn’t even know if his kind had such a ritual, his name was still something he treasured, as the owl had helped him to choose it.

“Then – Knuckles isn’t your real name?” Tails asked next and the echidna shook his head.

“No, it is something that I picked for myself.” He said this like it was a source of great pride for him, however, there was still a hint of sadness there. As he understood what he’d missed out on.

“Can it be done now?” Tom put in before the mood could become too dark and everyone looked up at him. “The ceremony? I know it’s a little late. But – we could find a way to make it work.”

“Of course we could.” Maddie added immediately. “You tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen.”

“I –” Knuckles spoke, only to lose his words and looked for a moment like he might actually cry. But he covered it up and looked at the floor instead. “Actually – the child’s parents are the only real requirement. If they are not – available, then the task falls to the clan chief.”

“Oh.” Maddie muttered, feeling a little hurt. But she tried not to show it. However, their resident warrior was still as perceptive as always.

“I apologize; I did not mean that to be insulting.”

“No, no. Of course not.” Tom insisted, jumping off the sofa to kneel next to them. “We would never want you to feel like we’re a replacement for your parents. They will always have a special place in your heart.”

“That does not mean my heart has no room for you.” Knuckles pointed out seriously, and the two humans suddenly had to bite their tongues to keep from letting out a few tears. Noticing that they had also seemingly lost the ability to communicate, Sonic stepped in.

“Well, technically – Tom and Maddie are our clan – Chiefs.” He added suggestively, giving Knuckles a second to think that over.

“Yes, I suppose you are right.” He agreed, looking up again, to find the humans waiting expectedly. “The ritual can seem – cruel to those not familiar with it.” He warned, giving them a chance to back out, should they choose to.

“Cruel how? Will you be hurt?” Maddie asked suspiciously.

“No.” Knuckles said immediately. “But I will be required to go some time without food or water. It is the only way to cleanse the spirit for the journey.” He looked down again, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “And – you will be required to – leave me behind. From what my father told me; this was often the hardest part for them.”

“Yeah, I can see why.” Tom said, looking at his wife who now looked extremely uncomfortable, but she kept it together. “Is this something you want to do?” He asked next, making sure Knuckles’ attention was completely on him. “If you’re only doing it because of us, then don’t. It should be your choice.”

The echidna took a moment to think that over. Clearly, he had long ago resigned himself to the fact that it would never be something he could do and had learned to accept it. However, now that the option was available, that little kid in his soul was starting to reawaken and, eventually, he could no longer ignore its cries for recognition.

“I would – like to.” He answered at last, looking up at his family with a slight smile, still somewhat reserved, but was willing to allow himself that tiny spark of hope. With that Maddie and Tom looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them and they nodded in union.

“Then you tell us what you need.”

…

A week of preparation was really all that was required, most of which was spent looking after Knuckles as he spent a great deal of that time in meditation. Slowly eating less and less, until he finally went an entire day without food.

In the meantime, Maddie and Tom were tasked with finding a location, somewhere in the forest that he had never visited, where they would find, or create a safe place for him to stay, for the next three days, while he tried to connect with his ancestors. With a little aid from a small cave and a tarp, they managed to accomplish this goal.

Of course, they hadn’t forgotten the kitten in all the excitement. Who had slowly gotten used to her knew family, until Knuckles was comfortable leaving her in the care of Tails, while he was gone. Insisting that Sonic was too irresponsible for the task.

Finally, when Knuckles had managed to go three whole days without food and very little water, he announced that it was time for the ritual to begin. And handed Tom a long strip of cloth.

“What’s this for?” The man asked, realizing they’d overlooked this part somehow.

“I must be blindfolded.” Knuckles explained calmly. “After you leave, I must find my way home, on my own. It would defeat the purpose, if I already knew the way.”

“Oh, right.” Tom proclaimed nervously, but he still knelt and gently placed the cloth over his son’s eyes, making sure that he had no way of peeking under or through it. “That good?”

The echidna merely nodded, already back in his spiritual zone. After that, the humans knew what to do and took his hand, leading him into the forest and to the location they’d picked out. It took almost two hours to get there, but they never talked to him. That wasn’t permitted. Even if he asked them too, their only task was to remain strong and believe in him.

Once they finally reached the cave, they were only allowed to help him find a safe, dry place to sit. Then they backed off, waiting as he fell into his meditation again, his breathing and heartrate slowing down until his body and hands completely relaxed and the smooth green stone he held tumbled from his grip.

Knowing this was the sign that he had entered into the spiritual space reserved only for him and his ancestors. Tom quietly picked up the stone and, taking Maddie’s hand, they returned home.

And, as promised, it was by far the hardest part.

…

Despite Knuckles being, by far, the quietest among them, the Wachowski home was unusually somber, over the next couple of days. Even Sonic rarely had the energy to talk their ears off, instead they often found the hedgehog standing at the edge of the forest, watching the tree line intently, waiting for any sign that his brother. It seemed that he was determined that Knuckles would not return to find that no one had waited for him.

Of course, as one day turned to two, then three the number of people standing with him just steadily increased. Until the fourth day came, and everyone was waiting anxiously at the tree line.

“Is it supposed to take this long?” Maddie asked nervously, hugging herself in an attempt to keep her feet rooted to the spot. As she wanted nothing more than to head back to the cave and check on her son.

“He just said it would take as long as it would take.” Tom repeated.

“What happens if doesn’t work?” Tails murmured, leaning heavily into Maddie’s leg, holding onto the edge of her sweater. “Will he – not come back?”

“No. He said it would just mean that his name was taking longer to create. Or – something.” Sonic answered this time and everyone looked at him, kind of shocked that he knew this. Apparently, he’d taken some time with Knuckles to work out some of his own doubts and questions.

“How long will he have to wait before he knows that?” Tom asked, but the hedgehog only shrugged. “And what if it never comes, will he even know?”

“He said it would be obvious if the process failed. And he’d just come home.”

“What happens if he never gets his name?” Tails asked nervously and they all went quiet for a moment. Wondering if that was a possibility. And if so, what would it mean.

“Okay.” Maddie proclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “This is not okay. We’re –”

“Hon, we promised we wouldn’t interfere.” Tom countered her but she was having none of it.

“That was before he went a week without water.” She declared, which no one could rightly argue against. “He could be hurt, or too weak to make it back on his own. I know this is important, but so is his life.”

Everyone was quiet after that. Clearly none of them had the strength to stand against her, as they too were worried enough to go looking. Thankfully, they didn’t have to.

“Knuckles.” Tails cried out when he was the first to spot him through the forest and raced over to hug his brother. Who appeared a little unstable on his feet but was otherwise okay.

“Oh, my god. Are you alright?” Maddie crowed in pure relief and ran to hug him as well and he gently returned the gesture, something he really didn’t do very often.

“I am – thirsty.” He answered, his throat clearly dry, and Sonic disappeared for half a second into the house, coming back with an entire box of double-stuffed Oreos and a huge bottle of water.

After that, they got him a seat and tried to get him to eat something, however, once he’d downed the entire bottle of water in three gulps, he instead asked for the ritual bag from Tom. Who was quick to pull out a tiny leather pouch that he’d been tasked with keeping close by, until Knuckles’ return.

Inside was the flat green stone he had taken with him to the cave, which he held in one hand as he used his teeth to remove one of his gloves. This allowed him to use his thick, shovel-like claws to carefully carve several symbols into the stone.

Knowing this was the last step of the ritual, none of the others stood close enough to read what he was writing. As it was considered extremely disrespectful. They would be told the name he’d received, only when he was ready to share it with them.

Thankfully for Sonic’s sanity, that was sooner rather than later. For once he was finished, he handed the stone to Maddie and allowed her to tell everyone what it said. Carefully, she brushed the remaining dust from the surface, her hands trembling slightly, as she read over the word. Eventually deciding on how to pronounce it.

“Karyon.” She whispered, looking back at the echidna to make sure that she’d said it right and he smiled and nodded. “It’s beautiful.” She crowed, her eyes welling with tears, as she ran her fingers over the carving. “What does it mean?”

“It is a word from my clan’s most ancient language.” He explained calmly, closing his eyes, as if recalling a fond memory. “It means – Last Ember.”

Everyone kind of went quite after that, but it was a comforting, steady quiet. That eventually led to Sonic and Tails taking a seat on the ground with their brother and sharing in his Oreos. Just being there for him, during that important moment of his life.

“Last Ember.” Tom repeated and walked over to Maddie so only she could hear. “Their last spark.” He said, feeling tears tugging at his own eyes now, as they knew very well that their eldest son was the last of his kind. To be able to give him this chance, to experience this ceremony that had meant so much to his people, was a blessing they simply could not put into words.

 Of course, Sonic had to go and bring everyone back down to earth, when he burst into laughter, upon finally convincing his older brother that the cookie was perfectly safe and full of all the calories that his body needed at the moment. Only for the poor guy to eat one and immediately become disgusted by the overwhelming sweetness.

“Sonic.” Maddie chastised, they all know very well that the echidna was not accustomed to such highly processed and sugary foods, thus he simply didn’t like the vast majority of them.

“Sorry, sorry. I couldn’t resist.” The hedgehog quailed good-naturedly. Though his brother already looked like he was planning his revenge. Even so, the prank was enough to bring down the seriousness of the situation and ground them back into the norm of their strange, but happy family.

A blue blur and a second later, Sonic had made up for his joke and provided his brother with an entire bag of grapes, in every color he could imagine.

“So, what did you decide for this one?” Tails pipped up, motioning toward the little black kitten asleep in his lap. Maddie and Tom both took a seat on the grass as well, waiting for his answer, aware that he’d intended to ask his ancestors for her name as well.

Thinking that over for a second, he reached over to gently pet the kitten, earning himself a purr and a snuggle. “Victory.” He said proudly and everyone smiled again.

“Victory.” Maddie repeated and reached over to pet her as well. “Sweet little Victory.”

“I’d say that suits her.” Tom added.

“I like it.” Sonic proclaimed happily and pat his brother on the back. “Nice choice Knuck–” He began, only to catch himself. “I mean –” However, before he could finish that statement, the echidna held up his hand to stop him.

“I have decided – I will continue to go by Knuckles.” He announced and everyone blinked.

“What – honey, you don’t need to do that. We can get used to it.” Maddie insisted, however, he looked determined.

“No. I choose that name to honor my clan. So that at least one thing may survive of them, through me.” He admitted, holding up his fist and looking at his spikes, with which the Knuckles Clan had taken their name from. “Until I join them once again, that is what I am.” He said with a smile and looked back at his family. “Their Knuckles.”

…

The End

Karyon – A fusion of "Kara" (meaning flame or spark) and "Yon" (meaning last or end), representing the final ember.

…

(Warnings: Mentions of Trauma and imprisonment, starvation, kitten in trouble, but she’s okay now)

[ledesaid]

You have been invited by Zeus to a dinner with the greatest heroes of all time. It is a special occasion...

This party is for our Kid.

Zeus has insisted on giving this honor to his new champion.

His twelfth birthday. Another reason to congratulate him.

He must pass through seven temples to reach the event hall. Each construction does not have to envy the previous one. Everyone has done their best to decorate it for this occasion.

A hand links with his arm and they walk together. He wears a mask, but he can swear it's Clotho... She starts singing a song honoring and wishing a long life to the champion. Billy thanks her and she places a golden mantle over his head. She invites him to move forward. Billy thanks her and can't help but notice how hundreds of creatures poke their hands out from the old woman's mantle, greeting him.

The two hands that adjust the fabric in the next temple are soft. She is Hera. She wears half of her mask but is considerate and covers Billy's eyes with a blindfold before taking his hand. She guides him along the path, congratulating him for how brave he has been, how brave he is, and how brave he will continue to be.

Behind her, he can hear congratulations from Ares, Artemis, and Atlas.

Hera reassures Billy. Superman has made it possible.

The young mortal smiles and says goodbye before continuing.

A sweet aroma leads him to the next temple. He doesn't know the host who helps him put on two boots. But as soon as he speaks, he knows it is Mercury and also Hercules.

The latter hugs him almost to the point of taking his breath away.

The speedster messes up Billy's hair and expresses his pride in seeing him come so far so quickly.

Billy feels that he is referring to his whole life and not the path he is walking. He leaves the temple and feels more confident walking alone.

He feels cold when he enters the next temple, but immediately a warm hug envelops him. He knows who it is. It is Persephone. She kisses his crown and dresses him in a light tunic. She is proud that he wears a tunic woven by her own hands. She takes Billy's hand and they continue their journey together.

The next to welcome him is Solomon, who sings verses and wishes good fortunes. Persephone smiles with each phrase and helps Billy put on two bracelets. An unexpected guest adjusts the fabric received from Clotho. The wizard is also here! He receives a spell as a gift to share his powers with his siblings... Siblings he is destined to meet very soon.

They continue along the path swayed by battle cries. Billy does not fear, he is not alone. The sounds cease until a deep voice congratulates Billy and introduces himself as Hephaestus. Persephone helps to place a cape over his shoulders. Hephaestus assures him that he will be able to fly like no one with that cape and wishes him a happy celebration.

This time, an even more familiar voice is heard. Diana!

Wonder Woman receives him from Persephone's arms, who retires to the main temple.

Diana blesses Billy with Amazonian chants as they fly to the last temple.

Two voices stop him from advancing. They were unforgettable adversaries: Teth-Adam and Isis.

But he did not fear any longer when Diana invited him to look, assuring him that Hera's gift would protect him from the divine glow.

No blows or fights. Just the man, without the battle behind him...

The golden belt that the ancient champion wore for so many centuries was given to Billy. As Adam said, in good faith and in recognition of his adulthood.

Diana finished dressing him. The moment had come.

A warm welcome embraced them upon arrival. Hundreds of applause celebrated the newcomer.

The universe is big, he told himself when Zeus explained the invitation to hundreds of thousands of variants of the champions. Many versions of himself. Many versions of his family. Friends he had lost. Friends he currently had. Finally, he also assumed that the various colors were the siblings he was about to meet.

Zeus: I congratulate you, my son. You have traveled the world of man with your great heart and I am pleased to give you my thunderbolt, as the last gift of today.

Billy: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue doing good.

Zeus: William Joseph Batson, born of humanity, tempered by destiny, and honored by all of us... I give you my thunderbolt so that you may continue your work. Stand up, Captain Marvel!

Billy: SHAZAM!

┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼

Hi!, I am participating in BILLY BATSON WEEK 2025! @marybatson

(Slightly out of the week)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | here | Day 6 | Day 7

[allwaswell16]

All the One Direction fics I read and enjoyed in August 2024. You can listen to my podcast to hear me talk about each of these fics as well as an overview of what was posted on ao3 including the fics on this month’s fic roundup [ @1dmonthlyficroundup ] which you can find here!Please let the writers know if you liked the fics by leaving kudos and comments! Happy reading!

Fanfictional Podcast #65 |  ko-fi | fic recs

- Louis / Harry -

🌤️Your A-Team, Your Endgame by @silverkiiwii

(E, 70k, reality show au) a Next In Fashion au where Louis and Harry are partnered in the competition but they do not get along when they have to if they want to win. Full of fashion, banter, misunderstanding and a whole lot of making each other blush.

🌤️ Groupie Love by CuckooTrooke / @larrydoinglaundry

(E, 45k, m/f) In other words, Louis is a rock star on a world tour and Harry is a regular attendee. They could never work.

🌤️ But I know you by Thingssicant / @slowlyseducedbycurls

(NR, 26k, space) Harry is a journalist, Louis is an astronaut, but it's way more complicated than that

🌤️ You Can't Change The Rolling Tide by LiveLaughLoveLarry / @loveislarryislove

(M, 24k, summer) Louis lives on a tiny island off the coast of England and runs a sailboat touring company. When Niall is sidelined for the summer after his knee surgery, Louis needs a temporary new partner. Who better to fill that role than Harry, recently returned to the island after five years away?

🌤️ At your service, for your usage (series) by @holdingontochaos

(E, 16k, sex work) Louis is a doctor who works so much that he has barely any time to himself for pleasure, let alone to clean his house so he hires Harry as his naked maid and kills two birds with one stone.

🌤️ the past might be painful, but i’m in love with our future by localopa / @voulezloux

(T, 10k, part 2 of trans Louis verse) it takes a lot of convincing for louis to let harry take him to his first pride. harry understands his worries and fears. really, he does. he just wants to show his boyfriend that he doesn’t have to be alone anymore.

🌤️ never just the tip by journeytothepast / @suckerforhome

(E, 6k, omegaverse) Harry believes alphas can't control themselves. Louis proves him wrong.

🌤️ You Put the Boom Boom Into My Heart by @kingsofeverything

(T, 5k, historical) Harry's been trying all summer to come up with a way to show Louis how much he means to him before he leaves for college. Or five times Harry fails to win Wham! tickets and one time he succeeds.

🌤️ The Island by @jaerie

(E, 5k, part 2 of The Wilds) Researchers plucked some of them from their secluded island and transplanted them into an enclosure against their will like a bunch of zoo animals. But they weren't animals and they all had a story of how they got here.

🌤️ Dear Louis by callmenine

(E, 5k, famous/not famous) The one where Harry is a popstar having an existential crises and writes a song for his high school ex-boyfriend Louis after more than ten years of no contact.

🌤️ Let the Feeling Last by @allwaswell16

(T, 5k, unhinged pet fic) Omega Harry thinks the alpha at the grocery store buying a cart full of vegetables must be an amazing chef. He doesn't know that Alpha Louis is feeding all those vegetables to his pet pig.

🌤️ Stars over Amsterdam by @hellolovers13

(T, 4k, exes) Fate in form of Eras Tour tickets forces Louis to meet up with his Ex. Hopefully soon to be Ex-Ex.

🌤️ (on the edge until) you pull me in by @justanothershadeofblue

(E, 3k, fantasizing) His dick is not about to fall off, thank you very much, Niall, but it has been a while since he’s had time for a wank. 

🌤️ i'm going out tonight by @disgruntledkittenface

(M, 3k, established relationship) Louis hasn’t been appreciating his boyfriend Harry. He only realizes it when Harry takes matters into his own hands.

🌤️ I just wanna be yours (wanna be yours, wanna be yours) by @dreaminrainbows

(E, 3k, pwp) Harry studies his sixteen year old self’s face for a long moment and it's truly pathetic how in fourteen years nothing has really changed.

🌤️ the sign on your heart (it's reserved for me) by moon_rose25 / @darkinfinity

(G, 3k, kid fic) The one where Louis Tomlinson is a single dad and is finally allowing himself to start dating. Insert Harry Styles, a charming coffee shop owner who sweeps him off his feet.

🌤️ HOT TO GO! by @allwaswell16

(T, 2k, famous/not famous) When Harry does something weird at the barricade, he leaves Louis’ show devastated and hoping he can somehow make things right. Or the accidental pervert fic

🌤️ Gotta Feeling by @allwaswell16

(T, 2k, tour guide Louis) When Harry's life in Manchester isn't turning out the way he thought it would, he decides to visit his best friend in Mexico City. Maybe Niall can convince him to move halfway around the world.

🌤️ Ice, Ice, Baby by cherrylarry / @beelou

(G, 1k, meet cute) Figure skater Harry takes Louis out on the ice for the first time

- Rare Pairs -

🌤️ Like A Force Of Nature by @reminiscingintherain

(T, 30k, Zayn/Liam) the Heartstopper AU no one asked for.

🌤️ The Grundy County Drag Show Incident by @haztobegood

(T, 3k, Zayn/Liam) Holding a wireless mic in her gloved hand, Veronica Stardust owned the stage. She was one of the most vocally talented drag queens in the Midwest. Part 2 of Grundy County Incidents

[yes-i-write-fanfiction]

How would the tfa and elite guard and cons react to the sparkling beans who are tiny to be hold by human hands entirely

-On Cybertron, in autobot society, sparklings are kinda seen as something to be flaunted around. Small, defenseless and time consuming, having one is almost a status symbol, a show of how much free time and resources one has to be able to have a sparkling. Going on a walk with ones sparkling is more for ones own pride than anything.

-Meanwhile, in decepticon culture, it's kind of the opposite. Since sparklings are so frail, they are kept far away from others, not hidden but not seen by anyone other than the parents or really close and trusted friends.

-For these headcanons, the sparkling is not any of the bot's, it's just one they found.

The autobots:

-Optimus is incredibly awkward around sparklings since he's never really been around them before. At the same time he's hovering around them, having a hard time putting them down once he's holding them since he's so concerned about their safety. Every time a bird flies overhead he ends up shielding them because he worried the animal will mistake them for pray and make a dive for them.

-Now, Ratchet has some experience with sparklings, despite not being a pediatrician. As such he knows how to take care of them and he's very confident with how he handles them. Thinks it's ridiculous the way Cybertron flaunts around sparklings, they aren't decorations after all.

-Bumblebee sees the sparklings more like a novelty than actual living beings, mainly because of how they are treated and seen back on Cybertron. He tries to show off how good he is at taking care of them but quickly realizes how out of his depth he is when one starts crying. Ends up begging Ratchet for help. Tries juggling them once but got promptly reprimanded for it.

-Oh, poor Bulkhead, he is really stressed out. Those sparklings are so small and he's so very big and clumsy and he doesn't dare to get close to them out of fear that he will accidentally hurt them. Finds them absolutely adorable though and will coo at them from a distance.

-Tries to act cool and in the know but Prowl has no idea how to take care of these small things. Ends up resorting to things he's seen humans do with their young and this ends up working pretty well. Fake it till you make it and all that. But because he appears so well versed with taking care of sparklings, a lot of the baby sitting duties land on him. He feels completely at a loss at what to do.

-Ultra Magnus, while he's never had one of his own, has met many sparklings in his life, mostly the spoiled young of Cybertron's elite. That's why he doesn't really raise much of a fuss when he sees one. A good temporary caretaker though, always very careful and gentle with them.

-Yeah, Sentinel is totally out of his depth here. He acts like taking care of sparklings is super easy and that he can do it no problem but the moment the sparkling so much as whimpers he dumps it on somebody else. Will take all the credit for their care though.

-While he's seen some sparklings, actually being so close to one is a totally new experience for Jazz. He finds them super cute but is also kinda stressed out by how small they are. Very protective and will use his ninja skills to keep them out of harms way.

-Oh boy, Jetfire and Jetstorm won't stop poking and prodding at the poor thing. They've never been so close to a sparkling and they are so much smaller in real life! Kinda treats it like a pet before realizing that hey, that's an actual cybertronian, maybe we should treat it like one.

The decepticons:

-Megatron doesn't dislike sparklings but he feels no particular attachment to them either. That being said, he feels the need to place them somewhere safe, somewhere secluded. It will take a while for them to grow up but he trusts that one day they will become a fine decepticon.

-Immediately, Starscream snatches them up and puts them in his cockpit. The sparkling is vulnerable out here in the open after all. Don't want to take care of them but doesn't trust anyone else to do it right so he ends up doing it.

-Depending on the personality, Blitzwing may or may not be allowed near the sparkling. Icy is given a go since he is careful enough to properly care for something so small. Hothead is allowed to watch other the sparkling but not hold them since he's too, well, hotheaded and might do something without thinking. Random is banned from even being in the same room as the little one ever since he 'joked' about them being so cute he could just gobble them up.

-Lugnut is not allowed to hold the sparkling, no matter how longingly he looks at it. He's dreamt of having a sparkling together with Strika for a long time now and he sees this as a perfect opportunity to adopt. Please, he'll be careful, let him hold it!

-As he's worked undercover on Cybertron for some time now, Shockwave knows about the autobot customs regarding sparklings and is repulsed by it. He instinctively wants to tuck it away, put it somewhere safe and locked up but knows that he can't because he needs to keep up appearances. At least his ability to shapeshift into his smaller Longarm form is good for handling small sparklings.

-As much as she tries to pretend otherwise, Blackarachnia is completely enamored with the little one. When no one is looking, she coos at is, wiggling her fingers at it. Makes a baby sling out of web and carries them around, showing them off.

[valentine-cafe]

🍒 𓂃 𝑶𝑹𝑫𝑬𝑹 𝑼𝑷 : bao bao fan !! . . . demon ⊹ f. reader .

. ᘛ 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔​​​​​​​﹕verse 1311 ꮽ  zhào hàoyǔ

 𐔌𖹭 ˖ ࣪  who's that ?⠀﹕a demon casino owner. with handsome grins and a taste for deceit

ּ  ֗ recepit ℘ ... you're attracted to your boss and decide to find a way to garner his attention ⊹ cw ٬٬ suggestive. 

Zhao Haoyu is a dangerous man. Cigarette plumes surround him. A sharp grin bore pearly whites. Predators often sported their fangs. Threat, promise, those lines blur for you. *Danger,* well, he wore that like the finest of jewels. Leaned back into a grand velvet chair. Starlit by the casino's stellar seller: the lights, the glam, the luxuries.

Dark, handsome. Dangerous indeed. It shines on him like the moon does through a blackened night. Temptation. Allure. The most poisonous of flowers often held the prettiest petals.

You sought the thrill. Your tongue longed for the sweet, crisp taste of danger. While many saw fear, you see a meal.

The sleek black dress perfectly wrapped around your body glimmer below the flash of lights. Slot machine rows are mere isles to your swift heels. Your path clear in the form of tables and roulette. Cards slip from the dealer easily, so does your form move closer to your target.

A pretty young thing. Most of the staff is. You wonder if that's intentional from the businessman and famous gambler? Even with his habit of lingering eyes and flirtatious demeanour, you feel special under his gaze.

Even now when he barely notices you. Too preoccupied with his latest game of poker. Still grinning at his cards. Why school his face? The table is tense enough with him at the head.

Not you, however. That little black dress isn't the only thing you wear with pride. Confidence dangles around your neck in silver chains. Shine, that is what you do as you step beside your boss who instinctively casts a side glance.

"Mister Zhao," you drawl, now you have his attention. "Would you mind if I took a seat?"

All it takes is a pleased little '*why of course — '* which he barely manages to finish before you scoot onto his lap. Flush your ass back onto his thigh and assure modesty by flattening the hem of your dress over your hips. Modesty. You laugh at her name. So similarly in the smile you flash him as you turn your face to glance at him.

My, have you rendered the cocky bastard speechless? Haoyu's muscles tense for a second, then relax all the same. His long arm instinctively hooks around your middle and hoists you comfortably against him. Other players be damned, he squeezes a large hand on your opposing thigh.

"Well," his deep croon could flicker the bright chandelier with how dark it lilts. You bite on smiling lips. "What a pleasant surprise. Is this my lucky charm?"

He plays his hand. Gives his knee a little bounce. You only giggle, lean back, like it's your damn rightful seat. Like you own the place. When on his lap? You did?

"If that's what you'd like to call it, Sir."

"Sir even when you're such a bold little thing?" He croons to your ear. Sly fingers trace up your hem. He barely bats an eye to the cards set. "Think we're far past that. Let me hear my name on that pretty, deadly tongue."

Dangerous. But oh, how you thirst for poison.

꒰ ۪ ˖ ࣪ 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑢 ... info ꮽ mlist ꮽ verse ꮽ wiki .

[greenerteacups]

Can you pretty please share why You Would Have to Lose Your Mind would be your song for Draco? It’s one of my favourites ever and I have it on repeat these days—admittedly, I think of falling in love to it

Thank you SO MUCH for the free license to be pretentious and over-analyze song lyrics about my blorbo! Here's my case (and here's the song, which is beautiful and destructive, please listen). I'm gonna go through this line by line.

That dream you dream of falling out of the blue, child Like a stone, think I've been dreaming with you

We open on imagery of powerlessness, specifically the powerlessness of freefall — a "stone out of the blue" tells us the subject is hurtling, fully out of control, towards a swift-approaching painful end. So already the subject being addressed is someone not in control of his fate, and who is on a very steep downward trajectory. But it's also a "dream of falling," so it's not actual danger (yet) — if anything, it's a fear of that kind of powerlessness, and the anxiety of what happens to you if you give in to the fall. In my mind, Draco's first core character conflict is a contest of security vs. risk — the desire to give in and change vs. the ingrained fear of what happens if he yields to the fall. A "dream of falling," if you will.

We were never forced to love You would have to lose your mind

I think this captures the idea pretty well in two lines: love is a choice, and you have to succumb voluntarily to the fall. That doesn't mean you have total agency over it, and you can't always help the way you feel, but you can help what you do about it. And "you would have to lose your mind" describes both the feeling of falling in love and the danger that Draco's realistically contemplating if that happens. You want to betray everything you've ever known? You'll have to lose your mind.

When Icarus was falling Burning and blinded He was born and buried along with his pride

The imagery of falling gets reused here in a new context: Icarus falls only because he flies, and because he had the hubris (courage) to take the risk of approaching the sun. Because Icarus is at heart a proud man, and in a sense, his pride condemns him to always seek the things he wants, no matter the cost. He's taken the place of the stone from the first verse, but now he's "burning and blinded," which both describe the feeling of love pretty well; "burning," as passion, and "blinded," for the sort of myopic hyper-concentrating force of love on the object of desire. I fucking love an Icarus metaphor.

Woke up in the bed last night Her features were golden And the walls, they were crowded with symbols of lust

No comment! Leaving this here for consideration. Moving on:

And then, an emperor returning Dragging his sword from the guerre Cutting the snow on the ground We were never forced to love You would have to lose your mind

Which underscores, for me, the looming threat in Draco's life. An emperor returning from the war, cutting the "snow on the ground." Snow presents a chilly counterpoint to the fire imagery in the previous verse: it's the cold of death, of decay, of winter, when the sun vanishes. "We were never forced to love / You would have to lose your mind" appears again in refrain, but juxtaposed with this emperor/death metaphor, it becomes a new statement of vulnerability. It re-emphasizes the extent to which love is a choice, and frankly, it's kind of an insane irrational choice, because it subjects you to the threat of harm and fear for the beloved. And yet: you still dream of falling.

Anyway, that's why I think it fits.

[captainwriter]

Chapter 8 - The Worry List

Summary: Who is Quinn Hughes? That’s all Iris wants to know. Will Quinn and Iris be able to overcome the accident that rips them apart. Will Iris ever remember who Quinn Hughes is?

Masterlist l Chapter 7 l Chapter 9

Warnings: Aussie spelling, occasional swear word.

Words: 1691

Iris’ POV:

Things have been a little tense but also there has been a a smidge of hope between the two of us now that I am beginning to remember. I say beginning I have only remembered the accident a few nights ago and since then nothing. I thought Quinn was holding a lot of stress on his shoulders nearly 2 months ago when I woke in that hospital room, but now added to the mix is the recent loosing streak the Canucks have been on. Quinn takes it all personally and he is stretching himself too thin. Between the demands from the team, franchise, media and me, he isn’t looking after himself. I am trying not to be a burden however it doesn’t seem to be working, Quinn is worried about everything. 

Yesterday morning I was standing on one of our dining room chairs the other day, getting a container from a shelf that sits above the fridge. Quinn was getting ready for morning practice so I didn’t want to bother him. However as I grabbed the container and did a little internal cheer for joy when I did a task independently. I heard accelerating footsteps around the corner. Oh no. “What are you doing?” I can still hear his voice laced in panic and fear. He grabs my waist and lifts me down. His hands didn’t leave my waist as he checks me over head to toe. “I’m okay Quinn, I promise,” I look him dead in the eyes, however his eyes still shift around my body. “But what is something happened? What if you feel and hit your head again? What if you did more damage?” Ah the what ifs, the recent fixation Quinn has held. “I’m okay,” I bring his attention back to me and he physically shakes his shoulders and relaxes. Quinn was very hesitant to leave for morning skate, it took me shoving him out the door. 

Today I am getting out of the house and going to my first Canucks game! Well I suppose not my first game but first game I remember. Quinn has a list, longer than me of his worries of what could go wrong. As someone who loves hockey I did not want to sit in the WAG box, Quinn’s worry list got longer. However it worked out well for Quinn because he is versing the Devils which means his parents are in town to watch their sons. Now I’m terrified because I am not only meeting the parents but also sitting with them for the whole game. Quinn has told me I’ve met Ellen and Jim multiple times before but I’m still bubbling with nerves. Plus I am meeting Jack and Luke for the first time in this mental capacity. I suppose Quinn and I are sharing our worry list today. 

Quinn left early this morning to get to the rink before the afternoon game. He was adamant he wanted to drive me to the game, despite me refusing and suggesting I would walk to the arena and that way we can drive back together. I didn’t even dare suggesting I would drive the car, that is a sensitive topic still.

I’m dressed in blue jeans and the black Vancouver jersey, proudly donning Hughes 43 across my back and arms. The fabric feels comfortable as I look in the mirror, the pride in my chest grows. Over growing the worry. I'm interrupted by my pinging on my phone, and sure enough, a new message from Ellen pops up, lighting up my screen with a familiar warmth. “You’re wearing Quinn’s jersey today, right? Good choice. We’ll have Jack’s, and Jim’s got Luke’s. That way, we’re all showing support. We can’t wait to see you today. Don’t stress, give me a nudge if at any point you feel too overwhelmed.”

I read the message again, feeling the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. How does she know what to say? It’s uncanny, really. Quinn said I was close with Ellen. Maybe that is why she has this uncanny ability to read me, to understand exactly what I need without me even having to speak a word. I didn’t tell her how nervous I was about the today. She just knew.

I finish getting ready and sit scrolling through Quinn and my photos to help trigger my memories. We look so in love, so comfortable with each other. Will it ever return to that? Quinn’s what ifs and worries have been guided by my health and safety. However mine are about the future, what if my memories don’t come back what then, will Quinn still be there. A knock interrupts my thoughts that will be Ellen and Jim, all together we are walking to the arena and that way the boys can drive us to dinner after the game and Quinn's mind can be at ease. 

The walk to the arena was short and yet comfortable. The walk accompanied by light conversation with both Ellen and Jim, catching up over the past 2 months and how I have been but also talking about the game. The crowd was electric. We were sitting in the lower bowl, prefect seats. The crowd's chatter amplified by the hundreds, the cold air filtering through the vents, the smell of beer, hot food and sweat filled the air. Oh yeah it is nice to be back. As we sit down in our seats, I’m filled with a sense of familiarity, my body looks around and I can remember being near the glass and Quinn throwing a puck over at me, a heart drawn on one side, other times sitting with the WAGS in the box or cheering Quinn on sitting alone in the crowd. It wasn’t like the movies when a million flashes of memories accompanied by an 'ah ha' moment. Instead it was a rush of familiarity, a sense of I have been here before. 

Quinn’s POV:

This is the best we have been playing in over a month. It’s the third period and we are up 4 goals to 2. Every time I play my younger brothers I feel like a kid again playing street hockey. But I have a feeling it has to do with someone who is in the crowd tonight. I can’t lie when she asked if she could come to the game I was super excited, then the worry set in but knowing my mum and dad are sitting right next to her eases the worries. 

After the post game interviews and a shower, I walk out of the changing rooms and I am met by the best sight I have ever seen. My sunshine dressed in my jersey. The sleeves consuming her arms, with her back to me, I can see my name craved into her back. My brothers and parents are standing their laughing and smiling. I walk up nudging Jack pushing my way into the circle and ruffling Luke’s hair. Congratulations are thrown around welcomed with hugs as well as chirps from my bothers. I turn to Iris, she latches on to me for a hug, her small hands gently rubbing my back and one landing on my neck. For just a second she brings me in even tighter before whispering “congratulations.”

I pull her a little closer, letting the warmth of her presence settle in as the noise around us fades into the background. Her embrace feels like everything I’ve been waiting for after a long, grueling game. She always knows how to make everything feel like it’s right again. As she pulls back, her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, I lose myself in the way she looks at me—like the day we first met and we are falling in love all over again.

“Thanks,” I murmur, my voice low, a grin tugging at the corners of my lips. “The win feels bigger with you here.” She smiles, her eyes lighting up in a way that makes my chest tighten, and I’m not sure if it’s from the game or just her being near me, but I don’t want to pull away. Her fingers linger on my back, sending a shiver through me. I step back slightly, taking a breath, trying to keep my focus. My brothers and parents are still around, engaged in their own conversation, but in this moment, it’s just me and Iris.

On our walk back to the car, after we broke away from my family I turn to Iris with a cheeky grin growing. “So, you’re wearing my jersey, huh?” I ask, my voice teasing but soft, a playful smirk crossing my face. Her smile widens, and she nudges me gently, “What can I say? You’re my favourite player.” I laugh, shaking my head, but I can’t help the way my heart feels full at her words. I open the door and we begin the short drive to a local restaurant.

We are all gathered around a table out for dinner. This is the one thing I miss about living in Canada, my family and not spending time with them. But then I met this girl, my girl and suddenly I didn’t feel so upset about missing out being in another country. This feels normal. At one point during dinner an inside joke was brought up but Iris didn’t remember the joke, Jack being Jack teased Iris about her memory and everyone giggled. It came from a warm hearted place, Jack and Iris got along and always ganged up on others but Jack hasn’t been there the last 2 months and seen the impact the accident had.  

The conversation continues around us, unknown to anyone else Iris recoils into herself and withdraws from conversation. I nudge my leg with hers, she glances at me and just as quickly casts her eyes back at her hands as they begin to dance with her ring, intertwining and twirling. I break up the nervousness by placing my palm sitting open on her thigh, an offer, a proposal. A pause in her fiddling. A decline to my offer as she went back to fiddling. 

[1dmonthlyficroundup]

— 1D Monthly Fic Roundup —

Hi, and welcome to the 1D Monthly Fic Roundup for July 2024! Below you’ll find 1D fics that were all published this month. We hope you’ll check out these new fics! If you would like to submit your own fic, please check this post on how to submit or visit our blog @1dmonthlyficroundup​. You can find all our other posts here.

Happy reading!

＊ Peeping by jacaranda_bloom / @jacaranda-bloom [E, 16k, Harry/Louis]

Louis hates his job as an accountant and desperately wants to be a teacher. Of course, that would mean going back to uni, which he can’t afford if he wants to keep up the mortgage payments on his house. It’s Niall that suggests Louis gets a housemate.

Harry is great around the house, loves cooking and cleaning, and everything is fine, lovely even. That is until Louis locks himself out of the house, and in his attempts to get inside, he stumbles upon Harry wanking to a video of Louis playing footy.

OR Louis has a thing for his housemate, Harry is under the impression that clothing around the house is an optional extra, and neither of them seem to be able to stop wanking long enough to get their shit together and admit their true feelings.

＊ Unbonded by jacaranda_bloom / @jacaranda-bloom [E, 24k, Louis/Harry]

“Look,” Louis says firmly. “Last time I checked, I’m still the pack leader, so you damn well better listen to me. It was Harry who worked out what I’d been poisoned with, then nursed me back to health. And it was Harry who thwarted the plan for my second assassination attempt by literally throwing himself in front of an arrow intended for me, nearly dying in the process, which is why we’re even having this argument in the first place. So if you think I’m going to set foot outside of this hut until he’s fully healed, you’ve all seriously misread the situation, and even more importantly, you’ve all seriously misread me.”

OR the one where Harry is an omega who has been cast out from his pack, Louis is the alpha leader of the pack where Harry finds a new home, Liam is an alpha with heart of gold, and Niall is a cook who can't seem to stop setting himself on fire.

＊ frightened by the bite, no harsher than the bark by localopa / @voulezloux [T, 21k, Louis/Harry]

louis loves going to the barricade during his shows. if it’s because he’s got a bit (lot) of touch deprivation and is using it as an excuse to have his big alpha bodyguard, harry, touch him, well, that’s a secret he doesn’t need to tell.

＊ the past might be painful, but i’m in love with our future by localopa / @voulezloux [T, 10k, Harry/Louis]

it takes a lot of convincing for louis to let harry take him to his first pride. harry understands his worries and fears. really, he does. he just wants to show his boyfriend that he doesn’t have to be alone anymore.

a don’t be afraid to love (and love again) time stamp. Part 2 of trans louis verse

＊ If Life Is a Photograph by @allwaswell16 [T, 2k, Louis/Harry]

Harry gets plucked out of the crowd to take Louis’ crew pic on stage in Guadalajara.

＊ It Was Electric Touch by @allwaswell16 [E, 2k, Harry/Louis]

Harry, assistant to The Snuts' manager, has been indulging in fantasies about the headliner and founder of the Away From Home Festival, Louis Tomlinson. He gets the chance to indulge in the real thing at the after party.

＊ Tastes Like Violets by @allwaswell16 [T, 2k, Louis/Harry]

Pop star Harry Styles has a bit of a crush on his makeup artist's brother.

Or Louis has a death metal band, Harry doesn't mind public challenges via Twitter, and Lottie thinks they're both hopelessly chaotic.

＊ Coração selvagem by Stria / @nooradeservedbetter [NR, 50k, Louis/Harry]

Louis keeps his eyes on the Wolf, careful about every movement he makes. He keeps his head tilted, deliberately showing the right side of his neck; the mating gland is on the other side, but this still shows he’s not a threat. Zayn answers at the third ring. “Lou?” he asks, confusion seeping into his voice. “Zed,” Louis says quietly, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible. “Zed, I’ve found Harry. He’s feral.”

Or, Louis' life in his newfound Pack gets disrupted by an old flame coming back for him, shifted and feral.

＊ No Surprises by @louislittletomlintum [E, 21k, Harry/Louis]

The thing was, Louis worked in an office, and it was fine. It could be worse.

But maybe, it could be better.

“I smoke socially, sometimes. Depends who I’m with,” Harry shrugged, taking another puff. Louis watched his soft little lips wrap around it and purse just slightly on the inhale. It wasn’t the first time he considered if Harry was perfectly made just to torment him.

“Hm. I won’t send you to jail for now, then. On crimes of fibbing,” Louis decided benevolently. He was about to open his mouth to spout off some other shite before he saw Harry had a bit of a pensive look in his features despite how his eyes were a little glassy.

“Lou,” he began, and god Louis loved that he’d earned that little nickname off of him. “Can I ask you summat?” Harry added, tapping the ash of the cigarette in the tray before taking another puff.

“You just did,” Louis smiled because Harry walked right into that one. “But I’ll give you another,”

“How did you know you were queer?”

or; an office au where louis is a loveable brat and harry is working himself out

＊ Listening to Intuition by @lululawrence [NR, 5k, Louis/Harry]

Now that Zayn was laying it all out like this, Louis got to wondering… could it be possible that he was never able to get a really good handle on what exactly aromanticism was because he’d never felt romantic attraction, and without that key piece, how could he possibly figure out what it truly meant to be lacking it?

Louis has a good grasp of his own identity and how all the pieces of him fit together in his life as a queer man in a committed relationship with his partner. Or so he thinks until his favorite aroace TikTok creator shows him another possibility he may have previously overlooked. Part 1 of Looking for a Good Time

＊ Smells Like TEAM Spirit by @persephoneflouwers [NR, 10k, Harry/Louis]

Punk Louis and quarterback Harry have been secretly dating for years. Feeling overwhelmed by his commitments, Harry suggests a short break, fearing he can't give Louis enough time. As Louis reflects on his vulnerabilities, Harry struggles on the field without him. Part 1 of ~ Pocket Tales unfolding on Screen ~

＊ If Control is My Religion… by LetTheMusicMoveYou / @letthemusicmoveyou28 [E, 14k, Louis/Harry]

“So just to recap, you’ve been vomiting every single morning, and then you seem to be fine for the rest of the day?”

Louis nods. “Except for yesterday when Liam was eating a tuna sandwich after practice and it smelled vile. Who the hell even likes tuna sandwiches?”

Niall sighs in the way that a disappointed parent might. “Louis, please don’t take this in the wrong way, because I’m not judging you at all. But is there any possibility that you’re pregnant?”

Louis scoffs. Technically, it is possible. Louis’ known he was a male carrier since his routine physical when he was sixteen. But it isn’t actually possible, not really. He and Harry always use a condom.

Except for that one day a few weeks ago when Louis had forgotten to buy more and they couldn’t wait. And the time the week before that when the condom had broke, but they both figured it was probably fine.

Shit.

(Or the one where Louis is a professional football player, who’s in a very mutually beneficial no-strings-attached relationship with the team’s medical trainer Harry. Everything in Louis’ life is exactly how he wants it. Until he finds himself unexpectedly pregnant).

＊ Forward by itsraininginengland / @ilovellama14 [E, 10k, Harry/Louis]

Harry and Louis must keep moving forward.

Quiet scenes from an older Louis and Harry, who are always working to be better together.

＊ Yesterday’s gone (it’ll be better than before) by red_panda28 / @red-pandaaa [E, 3k, Louis/Harry]

Leo’s frown. His attempt to call after Louis. Ed saying he was surprised to see Louis here. All those little moments fell into place the moment he spotted Harry Styles.

Harry Styles, his former bandmate.

Harry Styles, who he hadn’t seen face to face in over three years.

Harry Styles, who was technically still Harry Tomlinson-Styles.

OR Louis and Harry run into each other at the Euros, there's a mix up at the hotel and they have a past

＊ Following the Good Vibes by @lululawrence [NR, 6k, Harry/Louis]

"Oh my god, I can't believe it's really you!" Zayn said with a wide smile, hands on his hips as if he was truly stunned over the fact this guy was sitting just a couple of seats behind him. "I thought it might be when I heard your voice, but I haven't seen you in years! How are you doing..."

It was then Zayn realized he didn't have a fucking clue what this guy's name was and he was pretending they were long lost friends.

After an awkward pause, Zayn finally tacked on, "...Chad!"

When Zayn rescues a stranger named Harry from an awkward plane ride beside a total dick, he doesn't think much of it. Harry as the chance to pay it forward on a later flight, and in doing so he just might set into motion pieces that will determine the path his future takes. Part 2 of Looking for a Good Time

＊ It's Not That I Don't Want You by @parmahamlarrie [E, 12k, Louis/Harry]

It begins with a benign comment during a night in watching a show with his lovely boyfriend, Louis, and leads Harry to a months long journey to understand himself better. Will Harry figure out what makes him feel so different from everyone else? And will he find the courage to tell his boyfriend?

Or a character study into Ace Harry with the most supportive boyfriend, Louis.

＊ I'd Rather You (Hold Me)by we_are_the_same / @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed [T, 14k, Zayn/Louis]

He frowns when he hears the dial tone. By now, he knows just how many times the sound will come through, tinny on the speakers, before it clicks over to voicemail, and yet he still feels his heart trip over itself whenever the voice first comes through.

“Hi, you’ve reached Zayn-”

He sighs, rubbing at his forehead, where his headache always tends to bloom when he’s stressed. “Fuck’s sake,” he grumbles, disconnecting the call and resisting the childish urge to redial immediately, knowing that if Zayn’s not picking up now, he won’t no matter how much Louis bugs him.

It’s just - this isn’t like them. It isn’t like Zayn to dodge his calls for days, not unless he’s seriously incapacitated or dead, but if that were the case, Louis would’ve heard. Because Louis is his emergency contact, for one, and both their families know how much they mean to one another. Someone would’ve called, if something had happened, unless Zayn was dead in his own house, and, oh God, what if Zayn’s dead in his own house and Louis has been mentally calling him a dickhead while he’s rotting on the bathroom floor?

Spoiler: Zayn isn't dead. There is however, suddenly a baby.

＊ coming home by @nouies [E, 2k, Louis/Harry]

It’s coming home, one way or another.

＊ Never Wanted Love, Just A Fancy Car by LiveLaughLoveLarry / @loveislarryislove [M, 7k, Harry/fLouis]

“Anyways,” the man says, “someone as handsome as you shouldn’t be sitting all alone with an empty glass. Can I get you a drink?”Louis raises an eyebrow, snorting. “It’s an open bar,” he says. “The company is buying the drinks.”“Well.” The man laughs nervously. “I suppose so. But it is my company, so. I guess I already bought you a drink?”Louis feels his head jerk up in surprise, his mouth falling open as he looks into the face of COO Harry Styles, son of founder and CEO Desmond Styles.

When graphic designer Louis gets asked out by C-suite executive Harry, he thinks Harry is trying to take advantage of him. But he's willing to take advantage of him right back, if that's what it takes to get ahead in life and get his sister's new business off the ground.

＊ your brightest star by staybeautiful / @harruandlou [E, 35k, Louis/Harry]

“My baby,” Louis whispered into Harry’s neck, closing his eyes tightly into the embrace. Harry squeezed him closer and Louis could feel him nodding into his throat before he kissed him gently behind the ear.

“I love you,” Harry mumbled into his shoulder.

He tried to move closer, but they were already pressed together from cheek to where their ankles were tangled precariously together. “Me too, me too.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered, just for Louis’ ears. They swayed slightly, like a delicate dance to the distilled noise around them.

“Oh, darling. Sunshine.”

Or a series of timestamps from the sunshine, baby! universe 𖤓 Part 2 of you're the sun to me

＊ we could be enough by @hellolovers13 [M, 5k, Harry/Louis]

“You know I am flirting with you, right?”

Louis freezes mid-bite. Just manages not to choke on his steak.

Harry laughs a bit too loudly, almost like he’s nervous. “Yeah, should’ve known you weren’t the observant kind. You think I get this dressed up for a random dinner with a mate on a Tuesday night?”

or Louis never imagined anyone could love him for who he truly is.

Then he meets Harry.

＊ Just The Way You Are by @enchantedlandcoffee [G, 780 words, Louis/Harry]

"Do you miss it?" "Miss what, love?" He could hear the frown in Louis’ voice, and tried to subtly release soothing pheromones into the kitchen "You know...sex and all that." "Where's this coming from, Haz?"

Or, the one where Harry confesses his worries, and Louis reassures him. Part 1 of I Just Wanna Love You

＊ This Feels Like Home by @enchantedlandcoffee [G, 300 words, Harry/Louis]

After one too many nights alone in a hotel bed, Harry flies home on a whim to surprise his husband.

[yanderes-galore]

Hi Panther,

Transformers ask? May I please make make a romantic yandere request for a oneshot with Yan!Tarn with a Neutral!Bot reader and propmts 2, 30, and 46. I was thinking of the idea in fannon where Deceptacon culture dictates the dominant con claws or bites a nasty wound that scars as a mark as “Mine” usually as a mate.

Sure, I'm not well versed in Transformers fanon as I try to keep it as canon as possible. Yet the concept seems pretty basic so I'll try.

Still relatively new to the comics and I'm not that far so if information is off, that's why.

Energon is depicted as pink in this as the comics usually use this as the color from what I've seen.

Yandere! Tarn Prompts 2, 30, 46

"It's an honor for someone such as me to take you in and love you!"

"Those lasting marks are signs of our love!"

"Even monsters can love, can't they...?"

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Kidnapping, Marking/Injury, Delusional behavior, Forced relationship, Possessive behavior, Not much plot... mostly just a kidnapping scene/plot, Transformer fanon HCs as a plot point, Mentions of "Mate", Cybertronian/Cybertronian, Bleeding, Vague implication of stalking, Graphic scene (?).

"You'll tire eventually, that's fine, I can wait."

Tarn's calm and patient when pursuing what he wants. Patience is something he's had to learn in his line of work. That and loyalty.

Tarn knew eventually he'd have you in his claws. Honestly, he couldn't wait for it. He had been eying you for a long time as a potential partner for himself.

You're a neutral party... something that can easily be changed once he has you. Part of him originally wanted to take you in to convert you. Now it seems he has... ulterior motives.

Tarn has never considered a Conjunx Endura. He had loyally followed Megatron's teachings and that's where most of his life has gone. Then he saw you... Decepticon potential in his eyes.

That and Conjunx Endura potential.

Even as you run from him in a pitiful display, Tarn indulges in the chase. It's a little game to entertain himself before he claims you. He'll allow you to think you have a choice in the matter.

Oh, naive bot... you never had a choice the moment he picked you.

"You're making this harder than it has to be. Your spark is safe with me. All you need to do is surrender!"

At this point he's taunting you. Tarn is already plotting how to corner you. Each movement he does is calculated, predicting your every move.

Right... until... you're right where he wants you.

Tarn feels excitement swell within him when he finally manages to corner you. He sees you run into a dead end and realize you're trapped. You stare at him with many emotions swimming in your optics.

Tarn sees confusion... fear... and aggression. Fear is the strongest emotion that clouds your vision. Tarn can tell you have a vague sense of who he is.

Pride fills him while he steps closer.

"Game's over, my little Conjunx Endura. I do believe you've worked us both up enough."

Tarn's voice is teasing... while barely concealing a deep hunger within. You stare up at him with more confusion and disgust than fear for a moment. The looks you give him drive him crazy.

Oh... he picked well.

"Now... will you come with me willingly..." Tarn drawls, trapping you between him and the wall.

"Or will I have to get the D.J.D involved?"

Reluctantly, as he expected, you agree to come with him to his base of operations.

To him, that's already a good sign you'll be a behaved partner once he marks you.

---

Sounds of metal on metal echoed through the room. Pain coursed through you and it was all you could even think about. Even with the red eyes glaring down at you in possessive aggression... your mind only thought of the pain.

"I took you in for a reason..." The Decepticon hisses out. You hear your own metal creak as he digs his claws into you. You swore you felt Energon trickle down. "I chose you to be mine... my mate... I think I've waited long enough to mark you."

Tarn then pulls your chin to make you focus on him.

"Haven't I been nice and patient enough with you?"

You shudder against him, trying to break eye contact to see the damage. Tarn doesn't allow you to look and brings your eyes back to him. For a brief moment you see the look in his eyes soften.

"Those lasting marks are signs of our love." Tarn hums, sitting you up. You see him pull his claws out of the wound and catch a glimpse of vibrant pink liquid dribble down them. You feel ill and the pain throbs... you decide not to focus on his claws.

"It's an honor for someone such as me to take you in and love you." Tarn praises you, eying the Energon on his hands. "A mark as deep as this will show every Decepticon I claim you."

"Am I going to die?" You heave.

"I'd never let you." Tarn replies, already preparing to call over Nickel to stop the bleeding. "You'll live... and have a pretty scar to remind everyone of what has happened."

Tarn then leans over you to brush his other hand across the side of your face. His eyes hold what appears to be adoration... but it's wrong. Anyone who really loved you wouldn't gouge a hole into your side so you spilled Energon on the ground.

"After this you're no longer a neutral party... you're a Decepticon." Tarn continues, gaze never leaving you. "I've claimed you, I've marked you, and I plan to brand you when you heal."

Tarn's tone sounds confident and pleased. You narrow your eyes at him and try to push him away. He doesn't budge.

"You're a monster... get away from me...." You hiss. Tarn makes a displeased scoff before leaning away from you. You'd take time to convert.

He'll just have to find more patience it seems....

"Even monsters can love, can't they...?" Tarn muses. "Eventually you'll understand."

Tarn presses his mask to your forehead and you flinch back. It was meant to be a comforting kiss. To you... it's anything but.

"Nickel will nurse you back to health." Tarn tells you, picking you up to transport you. His grasp his tight... Energon still dripping from his claws. As he walks with you, his gaze meets yours again.

"Until you're well rested... I'll be waiting, Conjunx Endura."

[sorensolsikke]

i hate how people don't recognize me as a dragon.

like, they do see me as the dog i am!! at some point, every friend of mine tells me that i am the golden retriever friend!! everyone says my hair looks like cute ears!! they tell me "aww big puppy eyes" and "oooh biig stretch" without a second thought, without knowing my identity, and that's so validating, i love my friends and siblings!!! i am indeed a puppy for them!!

BUT FOR FUCK'S SAKE WHY DON'T I LOOK LIKE A DRAGON TOO?

i constantly question my self-knowledge by this; i think i know myself well enough, but nobody – except my girlfriend – seems to notice certain traits of mine that are the core of my identity. like i am sure i am unpredictable and unrestrianed when i am full of rage, or especially when i am protective of someone. i remember scaring the crap out of people who tried to hurt me or my loved ones when i seemed vulnerable at first glance, but oh i know my voice and claws and i don't fear pain. how can people still only see that i am patient and hard to make angry. they never believe me when i say i am scary and unstoppable when i get mad. and then they shit themselves when i finally do.

i demand being respected like a wild animal.

people also laugh at me when i say i am a good leader when i have to take that role. they know me to startle easily, being rather laid-back and quietly understanding than determined and in control of the situation. they don't even notice that these traits are compatible. they don't even seem to understand that i have been the oldest sibling at the hardest times, when our bare survival was at risk. i've always been, and always gonna be, the pack leader in every given critical situation, and will stand back after the problems are solved. (and i am also a verse/switch. if you know what i mean.)

i want to be recognized as strong and forceful, because i am.

people don't even understand that i am vain and full of pride. they genuienly think i am humble, even tho that's very, very far from me. i did learn how to say a genuine sorry and how to lose a competition. but i am almost pityfully proud, will collect compliments, will make sure to look perfect, always. let's just say, i don't despise flattery. and others still seem like they REFUSE to believe i have bad traits?!? other than, you know, autistically clumsy and sensitive??

i am a DRAGON for fucks SAKE, not a cutesy fucking RABBIT.

i am vain, i'm a horder, i am strong, determined, forceful, calculating, cagey, protective, and feral.

and i don't even get started on how i see myself dragon-like in the mirror, not just where my phantom limbs would be, but also. my canine teeth stand out a lot more than others, because they grew incorretly. my tongue is long (humanwise i mean), and i step on the first half of my feet. there is nothing humble in my posture. how can't they see how can't they how

...in fact there is someone who notices. my girlfriend has seen me as i am, from the very first minute. they didn't create an unrealistic idea of my delicacy. i adore them so much, they are the most insightful person i've ever known, and they still chose me. they are somehow the only one who understands my ferality, and somehow they are also the one who would do everything to stay with me. their existence does ease my rage of being misunderstood... but i can't escape the idea that i learnt masking so well that any controversial trait of mine became invisible. i am afraid that i became something like an animal in a zoo; acting domesticated, but in fact a ticking bomb.

i am a dragon. and i WANT people to notice finally.

[deluxewhump]

Pride of Princes

A standalone story in the Blackmuir Reign verse ~150 years before Therrin Blackmuir takes the throne. This story is complete, around 12k words. This is part one.

CW: fantasy setting with a monarchy, fantasy politics, fantasy religious tensions, pressure to convert, torture, beatings, burning, threat of execution, imprisonment, defiant whumpee, forced/arranged marriage, polygamy, sex, court drama 

Characters and terms:

King Thyran Blackmuir (tie-run) 55- Therrin’s great great grandpa. Has ruled 30 yrs at this time and recently suffered an illness (stroke)

Prince Aedric Blackmuir (A-drick, strong A sound) 32 - the eldest prince and heir. Has one brother Cedric and two peaceweaver brides, Esther and Miline. Has one child with Esther, 6yo Esti. 

Roan Barrowfen (Row-n, rhymes with shown) 28- noble-born second son of Randall Barrowfen, of the easterly reaches. Given (unwillingly) as a peaceweaver to Aedric 

Tercet The new official religion being implemented by the Blackmuir crown. (Also a term in poetry, but here it's the name of a religion lol) The Tercet has three sections of religious importance that focus on commerce, agriculture, and the sanctity of law (the monarchy). 

Peace-weaver (Old English: freothwebbe)- Anglo-Saxon tradition of marrying women to an enemy tribe in hopes of mingling bloodlines and encouraging future peace between the groups. Peaceweavers here are specifically matched to smooth over a current conflict in the region, and not the same designation as matches to strengthen alliances or procure wealth. I prefer it as one word, not hyphenated.

Other notes: 

Title from The Wanderer.

Polygamy is encouraged for royalty at this time in the Blackmuir rule, if they are peaceweaver matches. Peaceweavers can be any level of nobility, but the first bride's children are typically the only ones recognized as viable heirs, unless they do not bear one or the heirs do not survive, and then it goes down the line to the second spouse. As you can imagine this causes lots of problems, but not in this story. 

This is loosely inspired by the history/legend of Saint Juliana by Cynewulf, as told in the Exeter book. 

_

1.

Prince Aedric was fast asleep when he was roused by Juliana, a timid handmaiden of his first bride, Esther. She never entered Aedric’s chambers, certainly not without invitation, or her mistress’s presence. 

“Prince Aedrick,” she said, giving a hurried bow. Her head was uncovered, her hair in two mussed braids as if for sleep. 

Aedric cast his eyes about the room for signs that something was amiss. He heard nothing from the open door of his chamber, or from the eastern window that caused any alarm. The fire was still burning in the hearth. He could not have been asleep for more than a few hours. 

“Juliana,” he said sharply. “Esther? Esti?”

“Are both well, sire. I don’t come on her behalf.”

“Then why? What is it?”

The girl pursed her lips and looked behind her, as if someone might be standing in the doorway in pursuit. “I wish to tell you something, but I fear it is not my place.”

Aedric sat up further in bed, his head still thick with sleep. “It must be important, to wake me in the middle of the night. Have out with it.”

“I only mean to serve you and my lady’s interests.”

“…Yes, Juliana. I know. I’ll… make sure there are no repercussions.”

She nodded solemnly. That had been her concern. “I was not told to come to you.”

“I understand. What is it?”

“The lord from the far reaches. He arrived this afternoon.”

Aedric frowned. He’d been recently betrothed. It was to be his third peaceweaver match, and the first to be male. The match was the youngest son of a Barrowfen from the easterly reaches, that wild and unforgiving marshland he’d visited as a boy and never had any desire to visit again. The reaches were an insular and stubborn region of his father’s vast kingdom that had caused some difficulty of late, but Lord Barrowfen was prompt with the annual taxes, and receptive to the new religious order.

But if his new betrothed had arrived in the afternoon, why had he not been called to meet him? Why had he not been sent to him directly, as Esther and Miline had been? He asked Juliana as much.

“The king. He is speaking to him now, in the Oath Hall. He is displeased.”

“Why?”

Juliana shifted her weight, nervously twisting at a small silver ring on her right hand. “He is refusing the Tercet, my lord. It’s caused some trouble.”

Aedric shook his head. “Why has he come all this way,  just to protest when he got here?”

“I-I don’t know, sire. I don’t think he wanted to come.”

Aedric raised his brows. 

“I know nothing more than this. I only wanted you to be aware. They’re very displeased with him, my prince.”

“Go,” he said, throwing off his covers. “I need to dress.”

She hesitated, wringing her fingers bloodless.

“Your name will not be mentioned,” he assured her. “Go.”

_

Aedric wondered if he’d ever been in the Oath Hall at such an hour. Every brazier was lit, casting jumping shadows on the high stone walls. His father sat elevated on his dais, attended by two knights, his favorite Tercet cleric in robes of snowy white, and several members of his court. 

Aedric’s eyes swept over them in turn. All had turned to watch him enter, and soon their eyes turned to their king to gauge his reaction to the prince’s intrusion. 

“It’s late, Aedric,” came Thyran Blackmuir’s weakened voice from his throne. A sudden illness had struck him before spring’s last snowmelt, and he had not been the same since. 

“Indeed it is, Your Grace,” Aedric answered. “What matter could not wait until after we had all slept and breakfasted?”

At the base of the dais stood a young man in modest clothing, unmoving, with his gaze fixed on the stones beneath his feet. Aedric gave him a wide berth as he approached, looking to see if this was the peaceweaver he’d been sent a portrait of in the initial negotiations. It appeared to be. He was of a similar height as Aedric, and though he could only see his bowed profile, it seemed to be the Barrowfen from the picture — Roan, was his name, or else it was someone strikingly similar. The portrait had looked promising.

He was of a similar age as Aedric as well, highborn, and unrelentingly beautiful, with dark hair and green-brown eyes, high easterly cheekbones, and a particular, intriguing smile that Aedric hoped was not just the flattery of the artist, but a look the subject had worn while sitting for the sketch.

“Hello,” he said, standing to the nobleman’s right, a safe six feet of distance between them. 

Roan Barrowfen gave him the barest glance, looking up without lifting his head. Their eyes met for only a moment and he returned them to the floor, his jaw set in something between determination and fear. Aedric was mildly stung by the sheer disregard of the exchange, a disregard he was unaccustomed to. 

“Is this my new peaceweaver, then?” Aedric asked, addressing his father. “Is this Roan Barrowfen?”

“It is,” the king answered wearily, his left eye now permanently drooping like a melting clay doll. 

“Why was I not sent for?” he asked, in front of the men of court, the cleric, and the knights. “Surely there must be some reason I was not sent to greet him upon his arrival?”

“Sit,” bade his father. 

“I prefer to stand, Your Grace.”

Aedric was nothing if not a loyal firstborn son, but he was not as docile as he might be. He tried to remain respectful to his father, the king, especially in front of members of court, but he would not be seen as a mincing puppet, either. And the king could be stubborn.

Of late, that concern had flagged. His father was not the man he was the year before, or the thirty years of his rule before that. He sometimes lost his train of thought, or his words entirely, and spent much of his days in bed. 

“Your betrothed has insisted on an act of….of  treason since his… arrival,” managed the King. 

Cleric Alfonsus looked down from the dais at Roan Barrowfen with a disdainful sort of pity. 

“What treason is that?”

The King motioned at his cleric, inviting him to speak and save him the trouble.  

“Lord Barrowfen maintains the false gods of the easterly reaches,” explained the cleric in a smooth voice, still powerful enough to project. Aedric admitted his unnervingly blue eyes and unrelenting gaze gave him an air of authority. His arms were folded together in the white fabric of his robes of office, hiding his hands, which Aedric thought was another apt metaphor. “He has denounced the Tercet, and by extension, the authority of the King.”

Aedric could have laughed. The Tercet was a fledgling religion, breeding in several pockets of the north for only two generations before gaining fast favor these last ten years. When he was a boy, no one had even spoken of the Tercet, the three-deity trident of land, commerce, and law. It was about as relevant as whoever this easterly man’s far-flung gods might be. And now it was treason to refuse them?

 “I’m sure this is a thing being done on principle,” he said amiably, opening his hands toward his father and the cleric. Even the knights were looking at him. “A well-intentioned principle, at that. Your Grace, is not the point of a peaceweaver to make peace? Peace is not something that can be expected upon arrival, or overnight.”

“The terms were clear,” answered the cleric, speaking over Aedric’s last word. “Randall Barrowfen sent a letter with his son. He knew this might happen, and in it he outlines his sincerest regrets, along with fealty to the Tercet and the king. His son’s life, if not as a peaceweaver, can be of some use as a forfeit.”

Aedric made a sour face. “Forfeit? To be an example, you mean? That is the perfect opposite of the goal we have in making this arrangement.”

The cleric continued. “Rejection of the Tercet directly undermines-”

“Your Grace,” Aedric cut him off, addressing his father. “This is mad. Put a swift end to it.”

With some difficulty, the King adjusted in his straight backed throne, a simple and elegant design of carved wood meant as an homage to humility and efficiency. “Your Esther and…Miline are worthy brides, Aedric. They are peaceweavers, and they are Muirish now. They serve a purpose. This…” he waved a hand irritably, “open dissent is not something I can ignore. I will not have a hostile…. traitor at my table. Bearing…. our name.”

“Hostile traitor,” Aedric echoed in disbelief. He wondered, not for the first time since his illness, if those were his father’s words, or repeated words of Cleric Afonsus.  “Has he spoken of any plans to murder any of us in our sleep?”

“No,” said the nobleman in question. Aedric turned to him, surprised he’d spoken. “But I will not abandon my gods for you. Or for the king.”

A murmur of offense broke out among the men in attendance. 

“I am a theurgist for the gods of our land,” he continued, looking up at Aedric with his head still slightly bowed. His eyes looked greener in the light of the braziers, and he had a high color on his cheeks that Aedric couldn’t discern between a sign of good health or the start of a fever. “I will serve my gods, and my gods alone.”

“A theurgist. You conjure your gods?”

“On behalf of others,” he answered. “As much as it is in my ability to do so. And if they answer.”

“And where are they at this moment?” he asked quietly, directed only to the foreigner. He meant it in a friendly, exasperated sort of jest, but Roan Barrowfen dropped his eyes like it had been a taunt.

Aedric set his jaw and looked back to the dais. “Give me the night, Your Grace. Let me speak to him privately, as I expected to do upon his arrival.”

“When you arrived,” said the king, “I had just sentenced him to the holding cells. He will….await there. Await his…ah,” he struggled for the word. “His trial.”

A pit of dismay formed in Aedric’s stomach. They had only exchanged one letter, but it had been promising. Roan Barrowfen was clearly well versed in his letters, and well spoken. He’d seemed modestly eager for the arrangement. Had he not realized he would have to, at least publicly, lay down his gods and his theurgic practices to do so? Another thought— had he even written the letter? Had he come of his own free will at all?

Aedric wished he could speak his true mind to his father, but there were lines he knew better than to cross in the Oath Hall.

“He will have a chance to recant, Aedric,” said the King, as if he were placating Aedric when he was a petulant child, over some small matter. “He will have many chances.”

He thought the wording of that promise to be ominous. Many chances? Did they intend to harm him in hopes of eliciting it, like a confession from a criminal? A highborn? Betrothed to the prince? Roan Barrowfen seemed to take the same meaning from the words. His chest rose and fell with noticeably faster breaths, but he did not move a single muscle. Aedric felt a sharp pang of protective sympathy towards this stranger he’d so been looking forward to meeting. 

“I ask you to reconsider this,” he appealed again. “It’s highly reactionary, Your Grace, for naught but some words.”

The king only motioned weakly to the knights, who came forward and took the prisoner under each arm, leading him away. He stumbled, but caught his footing and went willingly. Aedric stood rooted to the spot as the King rose from the throne. Others followed, and Oath Hall began to empty. 

Cleric Alfonsus stepped down from the dais carefully so as not to trip over his robes. He fixed Aedric with his deliberate gaze. “Naught but some words,” he repeated as he passed him. It felt like an admonition. 

The following morning, Prince Aedric learned that the trial was set for a full month away. Roan Barrowfen’s noble status required three representatives from his home to travel to the Muirkeep to sit on the jury. Aedric knew this would influence the outcome, but he was not confident it would be in the way he’d like. Lord Barrowfen himself had condemned his son with that letter, to appease the king. Whoever came from the reaches was likely prepared to do the same.

The final decision would be the king’s, but that would undoubtedly be influenced by the clerics, as it was a religious matter. That was a fact that had been concerning him of late— more and more seemed to fall to the discretion of the Tercet leaders, namely Cleric Alfonsus. 

After speaking with his father to no avail, he did the other thing in his power. He went down to the cells. 

Next

[nursewashing]

severance verse information under the cut.

Anya—innie named Anya N.—became a severed employee for Lumon for a number of reasons. Firstly, she underwent a traumatic event during her previous employment under Pony Express shipment company. Secondly, she needed to pay for an abortion after the incident that occurred at her previous job. Thirdly, she needed the funds to afford applications to medical school in order to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.

Trained in first aid by Lumon, Anya works in the Health Department—a single-person department on the severed floor where she treats injured innies. She isn't permitted to wander much outside of her office, which resembles a small hospital infirmary with one bed, a desk, and a bookshelf full of books for her to read when she's not caring for others.

As an outie, Anya shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder—including anxiety, stuttering, nightmares, flashbacks, and a generally withdrawn personality. She still has that spark within her to pursue her dreams, however, and she doesn't regret undergoing the severance procedure. It's made life more livable for her, in fact.

Anya's innie is as if one preserved the pre-traumatic personality she once had. She's significantly more confident, outspoken, and outgoing. Her stutter is much less prevalent and she carries herself with ease. Whenever she has patients from other departments, she tends to be chatty and try to make friends with them; she wants going to the nurse to be as positive as it can be!

A stickler for company guidelines, Anya takes the Lumon handbook seriously. She has never once rebelled and hasn't even been sent to the break room! That's something she takes pride in, but she is a bit haunted over having treated some patients after they came out of the breakroom physically roughed up by the ordeal... Maybe it's best not to think too hard about it, though.

Anya is on amicable terms with most of the staff on the severed floor, though she tends to be more fearful of those that are less friendly.