#also i have not touched ps in so long this was a nightmare

[calenhads]

FIST OF SELÛNE — CASSANDRA GRAYTHORNE

soon i'll come around lost and never found waiting for my words seen but never heard buried underground but i'll keep coming

[myouicieloz]

Sweetest dreams

Park Chaeyoung x reader

Synopsis: it’s been long since you’ve had a girls night with your best friend, Rosé. also, it’s been long since you’ve been having many non-friendly dreams regarding the blonde, too. luckily, she knows you and your body too well, and is all willing to help.

Warnings: smut. nsfw. dom!rosé x sub!reader

Word count: 2.6k

Notes: this is a fairly worn out prompt but i’m trying to get back to writing so… i hope it doesn’t suck too much. love you bunnies ^^ xx ps: not proofread! sorry :/ it’s late and i have an exam tmr

Rosé’s tongue was all over your body, making you shiver. She trails sweet kisses over your skin, her mouth lingering lower and lower until she reached the middle of your thighs, making you moan as you grab her hair to pull her face to your needy cunt. Your skin felt on fire, and you needed release so bad…

In a blink, however, you found yourself almost falling off the bed, pajamas sticking to your sweaty skin and heart roaming loudly. You gathered yourself back to a safe place in bed and, taking deep breaths, tried to remind yourself it was just a dream. An excellent, forbidden one.

Once again, you were dreaming of fucking your best friend. Those dreams were beginning to happen frequently, now, no matter how hard you tried to suppress your feelings for her. Rosé was simply everywhere: in advertisements, banners, commercials… She was, indeed, the moment. It was impossible to ignore her presence and effect on your body, even though you tried. Hard.

As you managed to calm yourself down, you took notice of how wet you were. Your panties were sticking to your cunt, and you simply felt the urge to be filled. It was uncomfortable and made you incredibly frustrated, even more since the dream had felt so real… it was almost like Rosé was actually between your thighs, pleasing you until your body went numb.

You could only wish, though.

“Y/n, love, what’s wrong?” You felt the rosé’s arms on your back, tracing soothing circles, as she usually did when you woke up from a nightmare. She knew you were prone to those, often facetiming her in the middle of the night to have her keep you company until you managed to fall asleep.

However, it wasn’t a nightmare this time.

You and Rosé have been best friends since high school, and she was thrilled to welcome you to Korea when you got into Hanyang University, in Seoul. Your friendship only got stronger as she debuted and even now, with her idol life and your work in tech, you’d always find some time to talk to each other and hang out. You were close— she was your closest friend, even though she was frequently physically away for the most, and Rosé would always make some time to have sleepovers with you, whenever she came back to Korea. It was a ritual you’ve grown accustomed to for many years now, and it was extremely relaxing and soothing: to just gossip, eat snacks and watch cringey movies until you fell asleep in her enormous bed, passed out from exhaustion.

That was until you started having those damn dreams about her, months ago.

Sensing that you wouldn’t answer, Rosé scooped herself closer, tugging a strand of your hair behind your ear. “Just tell me, dear, and we’ll fix it. Is it another nightmare?”

You shook her head, shutting your eyes to avoid staring at the blonde’s attentive gaze. If Rosé took a single look at you, she’d know you were terribly aroused right away.

Somehow, Rosé always knows everything that happens to you.

Gently grabbing your chin, she inspected every inch of your face.

“Not a nightmare?” You mumbled in response, shaking your head. Her brows furrowed, and she stood on her elbows. “What then, love?”

Her hand was still tracing circles on your back, and God, her touch was driving you crazy. You were absolutely conscious of the wet pool in your panties and couldn’t help but wonder what would it feel like if her long, graceful fingers went a bit further, until they reached your slit and—

“J-just a dream.” the pillow muffled your voice. “Silly dream.”

“It’s not silly, dear. Not if it bothers you. Do you want to tell me what was it about?” Rosé offered, finally stopping to stroke your back. She was awake now, focused on you.

It makes you shiver.

“It’s ok, really.” You gulped, pushing the covers to get off the bed and from the temptation that was having the blonde so close. “I just have to use the restroom real quick.”

Her hands gripped your thighs to stop you from getting up, nails scratching your needy skin. You let out a low grasp, immediately putting a hand over your mouth to muffle your sounds. It didn’t matter, now. Of course she heard you moan like a little bitch at her slightest touch. You grabbed her wrists, but didn’t motion to pull her from you, either.

“Y/n, look at me.” Her assertive tone was the same you’ve heard many times, although directed to other people. The one she used when she wanted something done quickly and without much questioning; the one of a leader. Naturally, you did as told, staring hesitantly at her darkened eyes. “Tell me what you’ve just dreamt about.”

You gulped, mumbling a set of incoherent phrases until a squeeze on your thigh made you inhale deeply, trying to gather some courage. “Promise not to laugh? Or to hate me?”

“Never, dearest.” Rosé smiled at you, just as she has done countless times before, which soothes most of your nerves away. “We tell each other everything, right? So tell me.”

Her hands, the ones still brushing your thighs with care, made it difficult to breathe and to speak clearly. You’ve always loved that Rosé was an affectionate person, but that seemed a lot different, now. Her touch was clearly different.

You don’t think you can get any wetter than that; your insides felt so drenched you feared you’d be leaving a wet spot in Rosé’s sheets once you got up. Your skin was on fire and your hands trembled, expecting. You wondered what would Rosé do once you finally confess your dirtiest, sluttiest things you. Would she tell you off? Would she say she only thought of you as a friend, and that you were mixing things up?

Still, for the first time in your life, you decided to risk it.

“I-I,” Your voice faltered, too scared to say anything and fuck up your friendship, but as rosé kissed your hair gently, you continued, “I dreamt you were eating me out. There, I said it. That was it.”

You shut your eyes, feeling your face getting all flustered. She must think you’re such a pervert, now. Why wouldn’t she, with you edging yourself on her bed like a whore?

You didn’t want ruin your friendship, nor did you want Rosé to think of you as one of the many people who only wanted her for her body, her money or her fame.

Again, you motioned to get up, mumbling excuses and adding you were going home immediately, but the smaller girl managed to place herself in front of you, a sneaky smile dancing on her lips.

“Do you want me to?” She licked her lips, staring at your mouth expectantly. you didn’t answer immediately, with your mind still clouded, making her jump in her place. “Eat you out, I mean. Do you?”

You choked on your saliva as you gulped hard, staring at her in disbelief. “If I want you to—“

“Wait. I have a better idea,” Rosé pushed you as she placed herself between your thighs, “Just don’t think so much, Y/n.”

Before you could say anything, the blonde had already taken your panties out, diving into your cunt with hunger. You couldn’t help but moan loudly as she works her way in, your hands flying to her hair to push her even further.

She doesn’t let you breathe or even compose yourself as her hands roam through your body, soon getting rid of your big shirt.

“You taste so good, Y/n-nie.” She murmurs, although it clearly isn’t directed at you. Her gazed is focused on your sex, lazily playing with your clit as she licks and sucks, “Just as I always knew you would. Took you too fucking long.”

“R-rosie…” You mumble, too lost in pleasure to properly tell her what you want her to do with you. Rosé is skilled, and you try your best to ignore the piercing feeling that bruises your heart as you realize she’s obviously had lots of practice. Thankfully, said thoughts are promptly vanished from your brain as the blonde’s fingers open you up, allowing her to slip her tongue inside your entrance in a languid pace. Her movements are messy and her saliva, mixed with your wetness, runs in a thin line through her chin as she moans. The vibrations of her voice echo through your cunt with enough strength to make you cum on the spot, and it takes you much strength to just not give in.

She looks divine, all collected while you’re a shuddering mess, her tongue now making circling movements everywhere as she plays with your sex as much as she wants to. You can feel your abdomen heating up to your orgasm, and part of you hates that she’s so good at this: you don’t want it to end so soon.

“‘M-m close,” You manage to mumble, gripping her hair even tighter to push her into your dripping pussy. To your dismay, she retreats herself quickly, giving your pussy a final, sloppy kiss as she distances herself from between your thighs.

You whine, almost crying to have your pleasure ruined. You stand on your elbows to stare at Rosé, cocking your head to the sides to try to figure her out. Hadn’t you been good? You did tell her about your dreams, just as she asked demandedy you to. Why were you being punished, then?

Laughing at your confusion, Rosé pulls herself up to meet your face, taking you in for a lusty kiss. She liked it messy, it’s not difficult to notice. Your mouths were both red and bruised from the intensity of your actions, with the blonde dominating all corners of your mouth completely, until you too had tasted the saltness of your juices mixed with her intoxicating taste; one you’ve dreamt about for so long.

“I’m not trying to ruin your fun, babe.” She murmurs, tapping your thighs, so you’re positioned on top of her as she lies down, bringing your red, swollen pussy onto her face. Somehow, Rosé always knows what you are thinking.

Her tone is low and sensual as she adds, giving your cunt shallow licks, “I just want you to cum on my face, exactly like this.”

You don’t have much of a choice, even so, as she grips her nails on your thighs and lowers your body to lap her mouth at your cunt once again, somehow even more dense than before. You didn’t mind the pain from her acrylic nails, though— too focused on regaining the familiar feeling that was already building up on your stomach to care about the marks it’d leave, later.

“You’re t-too good. Fuck!” Your eyes roll as you push yourself even further onto Rosé, not minding whether she was breathing or not. Although, from the way she rubs her own thighs and the lewd sounds she makes, you’re fairly able to notice she’s getting her fair amount of fun, too.

“You should’ve heard yourself, Y/n.” Rosé’s giggles are nothing but a mushed sound in your head, since all you were focused was on how sweet her lips tasted when colliding with your skin. Her greedy tongue sucked on your clit, making its way onto all your pussy just to pay attention to your swollen bud once again, circling and changing the amount of pressure she chose to apply. You felt one of her hands grip your breasts, pinching your nipples in a sudden movement that causes your eyes to open, making you focus on the blonde. It was so good, and you could feel your release starting to present itself, rushing down in strong waves that had your body begin to tremble slightly. “Moaning like a bitch for me, even in your dreams. You’re so nasty, you know? Wanting this so bad. Such a fucking whore.”

“R-rosie, please, I’m so fucking close. Let me cum, please, I s-swear I’ll do anything you want if you just let me fucking c—“ You beg, letting out a high-pitched moan as you feel her teeth nibbling the insides of your thighs.

You can feel her smiling under you as she commands. “Do it, my sweet. Let go, then.” And with one final harsh suck on your clit, you come hard, your whole body trembling as Rosé helps you extend your high by giving your pussy long, sloppy licks, collecting all of your cum as she does so.

You sigh, letting your body fall limp besides her. Your muscles felt sore, and you were sure you’d wake up covered in bruises in the morning— and Rosé knew how much you thought it was corny to be marked like that.

However, it did make you let out a small giggle, knowing she probably did it on purpose, always finding little ways to defy you.

“God, you’re so pretty like this.” You feel her slim arms circle your waist, pulling you close to herself as she places little kisses on your shoulder and back. “Doesn’t even compare to how I imagined it, so many fucking times. I lost count, you know?Of how many.”

Instinctively, you found yourself leaning further as she finds her way to your neck, brushing your sticky, sweaty hair aside to make sure to leave an even bigger mess on your skin. It was only when you felt her fingers brush your ass and cup your cunt that you whined loudly, turning around to hide your head in the crook of her neck.

“One more, princess?” She asks, pecking your lips as she lifts your chin, eager to have a proper look at your fucked out face. For Rosé, it was the best sight in the world.

“S’ too soon, Rosie. Too much.” You mumble, looking down to where her hands rested. You’ve had a rough week at work, and now that your high has passed, you could feel the weariness reaching deep in your bones. You closed your eyes, hoping to rest for just a few seconds, but whined even more as you felt the weight of her on the bed gone.

“I’ll clean you up, then.” She clarified, smiling once you grabbed her wrists to keep her from going further away from you. You would rather not leave the warmth of her body, nor break the bubble of love and reassurance you were feeling, at the moment. “Just a few seconds, I promise. Then I’ll be right back with you.” Her promise was enough for you to let go of her arm, sighing in defeat.

You searched for one of Rosé’s numerous pillows— all splashed on the ground now. — and tried to make yourself comfortable while you watched her go to her bathroom, making a big effort to keep your eyes opened.

The next thing you felt were warm, delicate hands brushing your thighs with a warm towel. Rosé worked on you with care as she cleaned you, leaning in for another slow kiss as she noticed your attention on her.

“We have to talk about this, Rosie.” You murmured, making it her turn to grunt.

“Sure, we’ll talk.” She assured you, nodding. But as her hands were so warm, and she started massaging your skin just as she knew you liked it, you decided that talking could wait until morning, logically. “Sweet dreams, my sweet girl.”

Before you’ve even had time to acknowledge it, your body had given up to the land of dreams, unlike you intended to, and Rosé gave you a gentle kiss before scooping you up.

[gatitties]

Hi :D

I was wondering if you would make a tokyo revengers scenarios about bonten Mikey,Koko, Sanzu and Rindou if they had a S/O who showed love through touch? Pretty please!!!

^_^

(Ps love ur work <3)

─Bonten!Mikey, Koko, Sanzu & Rindou x reader

─Summary: you are a person of physical touch as a sign of affection, that's all!

─Warnings: slight mention of drugs, maybe a little angst with sanzu¿

aww ty and sure! this is so cute 🫣

"Not now."

Mikey's firm voice made you step back with a grimace, you had tried to wrap your arms around his waist in an attempt at a hug, but he wasn't such a fan of physical affection, at least not during a meeting with his executives, he would always be more emotional in private.

His eyes glanced at your hunched figure in the side chair. You stopped paying attention to the meeting, doodling on the paper on the table with a pout, Mikey rolled his eyes at your silent complaints, you were a spoiled brat, that's for sure.

You looked up from the paper when you felt a slightly warmer part of your thigh, you exchanged glances with him who had something similar to a hidden smile, his hand rested on you so that you would stop the childish attitude when he couldn't get your hugs now, you settled yourself enough to last another hour listening to the boys even though you had nothing to do with it, you were only there because you were hoping to bury your face in mikey's chest.

"You're too impatient."

"You also get impatient if you don't have your taiyakis when you order them."

You pressed your arms over his abdomen, once out of the public eye you were really clingy considering you couldn't show your affection all the time, Mikey didn't care much, he would let you be on top of him as long as you didn't bother him too much, you usually fall asleep while he finishes some things at his desk and on the nights he can't sleep ─almost all of them─ he caresses your head while you imprison him with your body in a strange hold worthy of wrestling.

He is not a lover of physical contact but at the same time he enjoys it, sometimes he ends up lost in his deepest thoughts, his nightmares, his life decisions, all the shit he has behind him and everything he is doing now, how he came at this point in his life… he always thinks that he should just disappear, erase everything he did or try to change it even though he knows it's too late, but then he feels your arms on his shoulders, your body resting next to his.

"Hey, it's not worth it if I'm the only one who hugs you, you have to do it too!"

His body moved only because you were the one who placed his hands on your waist, he sighed, recognizing your scent as he approached your body, resting his head on the curve of your shoulder, at least, these small moments brought him back to earth, back in your arms, away from all those dark thoughts about his life, whether past or future, he was able to find some comfort in your way of showing affection.

Kokonoi is a busy man, being in one of the most wanted mafias in Japan also doesn't leave him room for a schedule with many vacations or breaks, but you always seem to know when to show up to be on top of him like a tick, wanting to just stay in touch for pure pleasure and what could he do? Despite not being the most interested in love in a physical way, it wasn't that bad.

"Oh, there you are, I knew you had a break."

"Are you looking at my schedules? That's harassment, honey."

"Oh… then I'll just look for another person to give all my love and affection to since you don't want it."

You smiled shamelessly pretending to be angry at his accusations, Koko denied seeing your silly game, he approached you knowing what you had come to do just now that he had a small pause, when you felt his hands on your shoulders you immediately turned around with the widest smile, crushing him in a hug.

"I've missed you."

"It's only been two hours since the previous break."

"Too much time! You were supposed to have a day off and you promised me we would cuddle all day and do nothing else."

He sighed, knowing that he had promised but that due to some problems he couldn't keep his promise, he patted you as he watched as Mochizuki and Ran approached the room to resume the matter they were handling, a grimace on your face from the sudden lack of contact, you knew that Koko didn't like that honeyed side of him to be seen and you respected it because he had a 'tough guy' image to maintain for Bonten.

It was unusual for you to show your affection when he was with the other executives, but you didn't mind, because when you blended into the busy streets pretending to be normal people with an average life, you could hold his hand again while pressing your palm against his several times like a heart pumping blood, it was your demonstration so that Kokonoi knew that you were there, that you would always be there despite everything, he will respond by tightening his grip a couple of times.

"Welcome back, Koko."

Despite the sleep that creeps through your body, you manage to stay awake until he arrives after a long day. Koko can only smile as he shakes his head when sees that as soon as he opens the door of the house you are waiting for him with open arms waiting for a hug. On the way back, knowing that you are more asleep than awake, he takes the opportunity to take you to bed, letting you hug a pillow with his aroma while he ends the day with a hot shower, lying on the bed immediately, waiting for you to get rid of the pillow to surround him with your arms.

Sanzu loves every time your skin is in contact with his, every caress, every hug… he doesn't care about the public, they can watch how you like to show your love for him, at the same time he likes to show that no one should get involved with you.

"Sit here."

He will always ask you to sit next to him, you like to have your arms intertwined, your head resting on his shoulder while you both dissociate from the reality in which you are thanks to the mutual touch, while the conversation becomes a dull noise, all the people at the brothel disappeared from your vision and you only focused on your partner.

While you were enjoying just spending time like that with Sanzu, he was on another kind of trip, not especially tranquility, that is, perhaps self-induced tranquility due to the last pill he had taken, at this moment the whole scene was distant, the muffled voices came and went just like his thoughts, but what he liked most was seeing your face deformed due to the optical effect of the drugs and the heat that your body gave off against his.

Of course, you didn't notice his state until you saw that he was laughing a lot as he leaned his head against yours, almost letting his full weight put you in an uncomfortable position. You enjoyed that Sanzu was just as clingy as you, but you wanted him to do it by his own act and not by consuming narcotics.

"Hey, hey, focus, I'm going to take you home and we're going to get you back to normal."

"But I'm normal now, I'm enjoying your company and your hugs!"

His giggle and his grip on you made you frown, as much as you didn't like it you removed his hands from your waist, standing up as you tried to keep his hands from snaking back up your body to trap you in your seat, you had had many arguments with Sanzu because of this, you had tried to get him to leave that world but you were not his psychologist, at least you asked him not to do it when he was with you.

"Come on, let's go, thanks for everything."

You said goodbye to the Haitani brothers, who had been the ones who planned the night in one of their brothels, dragging Sanzu with a frown, he was muttering apologies here and there while trying to kiss you on the cheeks, and no matter how much you loved that loving side, you felt that he was not sincere, you ended up sleeping on the couch, refusing to hug him in that state.

"Honey… love… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

And the next morning you woke up with a Sanzu curled up next to you ─almost falling off the couch─ murmuring into your shoulder that he would make up for his mistakes, which usually ends with him spending a day exclusively with you smothering him to death with affection so he'll forget consuming things dangerous to his health again.

He lives for your displays of affection like a puppy looking for pets, he doesn't care about the people in front of you two, they don't even have to worry that you have your hands on him all the time, and if someone dares to comment that you're too clingy, they will just get a beating afterwards.

"Then we'll do this and…" Takeomi's voice trailed off until he was silent, watching with expressionlessness as Rindou whispered to you "Can you at least pretend to be interested in what we're talking about?"

"I could, but lying is bad Takeomi."

The older one rubbed his temples, not knowing why the hell he was trying that with the youngest of the Haitani, knowing that he wouldn't get his attention now that you were there, he continued with his talk, at least the others were listening, anyway Ran got the information so he can give it to Rin later.

Rindou put his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to his side as your arm went around his back, your head rested on his chest. You sighed dreamily like in a cheesy movie, but you couldn't help it. You loved showing your affection through tact and that Rin didn't find it excessive or annoying simply made you more clingy.

When you can't be in the boring meetings with him, he will be counting the hours he has left until he can see you again, burying his face in your stomach while he hugs you like a child seeking comfort, it is impossible to resist your caresses, your hands. They are warm compared to his which are colder, you already have to endure a lot at work, all you want is to get home where you can have infinite love without interruptions.

"I'm home!"

The smile quickly disappears when there is no answer, you are not home yet and he has to hold on until you return, he settles for lying in your bed and enjoying the smell you left on the pillow, he gets very impatient and moves to the living room where he can see the entrance directly, waiting like a puppy for you to return.

As soon as you walk through the door you already feel Rin's eyes on you, you let out a giggle as you see how his face lights up, despite being tired, you have enough energy to squeeze and lift Rindou in a welcoming hug, he lets you take a shower before you both end up on the couch arguing about what movie to watch, your bodies not separating at any time during that entire time.

"Ugh- hey, I can't feel my arms, can we change positions?"

"But I'm comfortable."

You laugh when you see his expression, since you were practically on top of him, crushing him, changing positions so that you were both comfortable, although the night would surely end with both of you sleeping on the floor.

[ldrfanatic]

sitting in the corner i haunt

Theodore Nott x Reader "13" Series pt 4 warnings - depression, angst, blood, theo gets the dark mark, mentions of suicide, cursing

this chapter is written entirely from theo's point of view

to be added to the taglist, comment; Also I was gonna include so much more in this part but then I realized I was already at 2k words and it was long lol

ps sorry stinks but now that the series is starting to really pick up there's gonna be a lot more angst before reader and theo get their hea

translator series masterlist <previous chapter next chapter>

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One thing Theo hadn't expected was for you not to forgive him. He'd figured you'd eventually find out about the bet, but he'd also noticed your crush on him a long long time ago. In all honesty, he'd been hoping and praying that you'd be able to forgive him and the pair of you could move past it.

Turns out those hopes and prayers were falling on empty ears.

He'd spent the remainder of the fall term secluded. At first, he tried to ignore Mattheo and Draco, still too mad at either of them for what they'd coerced him into. Finally he came to terms with the nature of his new relationship with you after what could have been was burned prematurely. Another thing Theo hadn't expected was for you to be the type that burned bridges instead of mending them.

Rather than feel his emotions, Theo had taken to drinking them lately. He tuned out of the various famous Slytherin parties and drank firewhiskey until it felt like his head was screwed on backwards. His groupies didn't stop chasing him, but he'd started hexing them in return.

Nothing serious just the occasional bat-bogey hex. And only at the ones that insulted you. Whether or not you wanted to be, you were still the girl that held his heart. And it was unacceptable for anyone to insult you. Mattheo and Draco had learned that fairly quickly following the incident.

As the Express chugged along the tracks and onto Platform 9 3/4, Theo tried to ignore the twisting in his stomach. Ever since his mother passed away in fourth year, his father had become an unbearable rotter. He knew that with the war looming, this break would be particularly unpleasant. As he retrieved his trunk from above his seat in the compartment, he didn't even bother with useless greetings to his friends. The children of Death Eaters were never cheery at the holidays. Everyone was returning to their own personal nightmare.

Theo used to feel bad for Mattheo's home situation. Used to. Until Mattheo really begun to live up to his father's reputation. Then all sympathy he had for the boy really flew out the window. Mattheo had been a perfectly fine bloke until Christmas of fifth year. When they'd returned in January, he was awful. No explanation, no more apologies. Just downright awful.

The moment his boot touched the platform, Theo apparated to his father's estate.

Nott Manor was in the most horrendous part of England. It was ALWAYS dark and cloudy. The sun was shining so bright at King's Cross, it was nearly headache worthy. But the moment Theo twisted down in front of the gates of his childhood home, the skies were dark, and the air was cold.

To Theo's surprise, Nott Sr was waiting at the door when he finally approached the massive structure.

"Theodore, my boy."

Theo was silent at his father pulled him into an awkward hug. He was being unusual cheery and it was rather unsettling.

"Father?"

If Nott Sr noticed Theo's tone at all, he ignored it. A large grin was spread across his face. It wasn't the kind that Theo had been accustomed to when his mother was alive. This one was creepy and made Theo's skeleton want to climb out of his skin.

"It's time, son. The Dark Lord will be rising soon, and he's calling for us to strengthen our ranks to prepare for the coming war. You'll be getting your mark soon Theodore. Finally."

Fuck.

Thunder rumbled in the sky overhead and Theo jostled awake. He hadn't sat with his friends on the ride back. With the burning in his arm and the screams of whatever poor bastard his father was torturing in the house, he'd barely gotten any sleep over the break. In fact, the burning hadn't stopped. His body was apparently just as unfond of the mark as his heart was.

What he hadn't expected was to see you. Sitting across from him in the compartment, reading a book. Your eyebrows were furrowed and you seemed pretty zoned in to the novel. Theo cleared his throat lightly and immediately regretted it as it sent him into a coughing fit.

You passed him a flask that you had. Theo accepted it with a quick thanks and drank, the cool water soothing his apparently irritated throat. "Not that I'm complaining cuore, but what are you doing here?" He tried to appear cool and calm but inside he was freaking out. How long had you been sitting there? What if you accidentally saw his mark?

If you had seen it, you made no indication. In fact, you didn't even look up from your book.

"I was just walking past and saw your compartment was empty. Astoria has taken a fancy to my dear awful cousin Draco and wanted to sit with him and that repulsive boy Mattheo. I'd much rather not for obvious reasons."

Even though you came from a pureblood family, you'd never taken a shine to that blood purity crap. It was something that Theo and you had in common. Something that he admired about you. Despite constant pressures from your other, darker side of your extended family, the Malfoys.

Finally, your eyes made contact with Theo's and he felt his breath leave his lungs. He could no longer hear the soft chugging of the train. He couldn't even feel the damn thing moving. Every sense in his body was tuned into you. Your voice still lingered in his ears even when you weren't speaking. His eyes feasted on every inch of you that they could catch. Your scent filled his nose and intoxicated his brain.

"I do miss you, Theo."

"I miss you too, cuore. I know that we were never really friends before, but the truth is, I'd gotten used to your presence. Without you..."

Theo didn't finish his sentence and you didn't ask him to. After you'd finished your chapter, you closed the book and set it on the cushion next to you.

"How was your break?"

Theo stared at you thoughtfully. He hadn't wanted to talk to anyone about his break, hence why he'd been avoiding his friends. At the same time, he'd take any excuse to talk to you. And with his father's words, he'd feared this was his last chance to really converse with you before you positively despised him.

"It was... uneventful."

You stared at him with a look that told him you knew he was lying. Disappointment flashed in your eyes briefly and felt like a knife in his gut.

"We both know that's not true. Draco was boasting about your entire little friend group finally getting their gifts from you-know-who." You shifted in your seat and then leaned forward. The look on your face was so intense, Theo felt that if he looked away, he'd simply burst into flames and die. "But even if Draco hadn't said anything to me, I've had a crush on you for almost as long as I've been alive Theodore Nott. I can tell when you're lying. Especially when you're lying to me."

Theo felt rage building up inside of him. How dare you patronize him like this? You had no right to judge him. You couldn't possibly understand what he was going through. "Whatever. You don't know me, Y/n." He sneered at you. In his heart, Theo was screaming at himself to stop. But even as he saw tears gathering in your eyes, he locked that part of him away. You'd shown him that Theo couldn't afford to be vulnerable. "You've no right to judge me. Following me around for years like some little fangirl. You've no idea what it's like when your father and uncle hold you down while you kick and scream and beg for them to stop. To let you go. To get away from a true monster while he carves his mark into your flesh."

Your face morphed into one of shock.

"What?"

Theo scoffed at your empty question.

"What? That dear cousin of yours forgot to mention the excruciating pain? That he was there with my father and uncle and helped them hold me down so Voldemort could brand me like cattle?"

His questions were rhetorical but it didn't matter. He stood from his seat across from you and exited the compartment at the mark on his arm started to burn. It was time Theodore Nott learned. Feelings were and always would be a weakness.

By the time the middle of the second term rolled around, Theo had come to terms with the dynamics of his feelings for you. He'd learned to push them down and away, and he'd grown accustomed to doing so. Instead, he focused on the task given to him by his father to prep Hogwarts for the Dark Lord to take over. You could still get to him in his dreams and he often awoke with nightmares. You'd appeared to him many times and spewed various levels of nonsense. How you'd never forgive him for this and the like. Usually they ended with Theo consuming enough firewhiskey to put down a horse and then falling into a drunken slumber only to wake up the next day with a hangover from hell.

This continued for a few weeks longer until finally, Pansy Parkinson had enough of his shit. She'd never been a best friend of yours or Theo's, but as a close friend of Draco's she heard constantly about the depression the pair of you had fallen into without one another. She'd figured that she'd have an easier time getting through to Theo than you most likely.

And there she sat. Across the Slytherin Common Room from Theo fixing him with a stare that would make even Nott Sr. rethink his life choices. If monsters were capable of that sort of thing.

"What the hell is wrong with you Theodore?"

"What do you want Parkinson?"

Pansy sighed frustratedly and whacked Theo with her potions textbook before resuming her homework as though she hadn't just left him with a fresh bruise. "I want you to stop being such an idiot. What happened to winning Y/n over?"

"It wasn't working out. Found a new hobby."

"What? Cohorting with the likes of Mattheo Riddle and serving as the Dark Lord's newest little bitch?" Theo glared back at the girl but she continued undeterred. "Besides, if it wasn't working then how come she was in your compartment on the train? That is until you lost your shit on her like a rabid animal."

"She doesn't understand. She never will. Not my fault and certainly not my problem."

"What she understands, Theo, is that she loves you. She always has. And now that she's finally coming back to that, you've gone back to being the insufferable twat that you always are."

Theo lit another cigarette. Pansy eyes rolled so far back Theo thought they might actually get caught at the back of her head.

"She took too long to get there. I've moved on from her."

"Moved on so much that you drink just to sleep and smoke a pack of those disgusting things a day? Moved on so much that when you think no one's looking in potions, you stare at her like she's the only girl in this whole school? Why is it that she waited years for you, and you can't even last a few weeks?"

Theo sat forward and stomped his cigarette out on the cold stone floor. He'd officially had enough of whatever little intervention Pansy thought she was throwing. "Listen Parkinson. This isn't really any of your concern. My feelings for Y/n are a weakness. She's better off without me anyhow."

"Your feelings for her are not a weakness. They are the strength that one day will be the reason you wake up from whatever spell you let your father put you under. You fucked up, and it sucks. But now it's time to grow a pair, and fix it. Or don't. Suffer for all I care but please, if you're gonna die, do it quietly."

Pansy shut her potions textbook and stood from her seat. She marched silently up to the girls dorms. But by the time she'd made it halfway up the stairs, Theo was already gone.

--

wc 2059

3.31.2024

-- taglist - @moonlightreader649

[eddiemuonson]

GLAD TO BE HERE

Summary: Both Steve and Eddie share traumas after the Upside Down events. After that day, they had been keeping each other company, and since then, the realization of their feelings grew wider. Word count: 1.6k

Ps: This is my first time writing a Steddie story so please be kind lol this is a holiday special, Merry Christmas to all my besties!!

Warning: Just a lot of fluff, mentions of trauma and PTSD

🎄🌟

Steve smelled like his cologne and aftershave, he had just finished fixing his hair in front of the mirror from his bathroom before walking down to his backyard. He was throwing a small Christmas party with his friends and the kids.

It's been a hell of a year, he thought to himself. He almost barely survived the Upside Down, the scars around his neck and his stomach were a living reminder of what it felt like hell for him.

Not only him, but also for the man standing across the beer pong table. Eddie felt like he was a second away from life that day, almost being eaten alive left him living with PTSD. Almost every day he would have nightmares about that day, the event screaming back at him, the feeling of the demo bats eating his flesh.

After all those past months, both of them gladly had their friends help. They were constantly talking to each other as well, as long as doing therapy. They would call each other almost every day and make each other company so they wouldn't think too much about the attack. And that was when they started feeling something switching between them.

Eddie was the first to bring it up and Steve, of course, freaked out. He wasn't expecting to actually feel something that different and unfamiliar. Suddenly, they realized they had a crush on each other.

The metalhead watched as his friend approached their group of friends, bringing a pack of beer, watching as they enjoyed the game, already half-drunk.

Steve looked up and met Eddie's gaze at him. He smoothly grinned at the man, his hands were stubbornly shaking just at the sight of Eddie looking at him like that. They were about to exchange Christmas gifts and he was already nervous, wondering what he was getting.

Eddie walked up to Steve, helping him place the bottles of beer on the table before they left for a few minutes.

They walked to Steve's living room side by side, not actually giving a fuck about their friends. Because they knew.

The girls knew way before the former King of Hawkins High realized what he was feeling.

“Oh, my God Eddie! You like Steve!” Nancy blurted out one time. She and Robin met with him after he asked them for advice about some “different feelings” he's been having, as he said.

“Holy shit, my friend is bi!” Robin almost lit up fireworks after that.

And then, when they met with Steve after both him and Eddie had the talk, the girls were so happy it was almost too weird. Robin even started giving her best friend advice, especially during their break at the Family Video.

Steve was the first to grab the package and handed it to the man in front of him. Eddie took the gift and stared at him, narrowing his eyes.

“I swear you'll love it. Henderson helped me pick up” He said, his lip twitched in awe as he saw Eddie's expression change after hearing Dustin's name.

“Dustin fucking helped you with this? I'm more concerned now” He joked.

Rolling his eyes, Steve nudged the box into the man's chest. “Just open it”.

And as soon as he did, his face lit up and his jaw dropped. He couldn't control the excitement after seeing a new set of Dungeons and Dragons inside the box.

“Not fucking way! Thanks, man” Eddie filled the small space between them, giving him a sided hug. His fingertips brushed against Steve's left cheek, who almost faltered at the touch.

“You gotta keep the Master of Dungeon role-play going” He said, trying to not sound too nervous around his friend. But sometimes it was just impossible.

And Eddie always noticed the nervousness, but somehow managed to be the one to actually make this new interaction less uncomfortable for both of them.

“What did you get me?” He asked as he saw Eddie's grin grow wide on his face. The chains on his jeans were jiggling as he walked toward the couch and held up a bag and lifted it up for him to grab it.

The metalhead watched as his friend opened it up and faced the denim vest he had mentioned about before.

Steve was speechless.

Before even considering liking Eddie, he said he liked the fabric when the man handed it to him that day. It was in the Upside Down. After that, he gave it back to Eddie only a few months later, after they were past the trauma and all the jnjuries.

“It was about fucking time. I almost forgot I had that vest” He laughed as Steve tossed it to him. Back then, he was recovering at his new trailer, where he was living with his uncle. Eddie was always getting visits from his friends and Steve.

“Yeah man, I really liked it and almost got it for myself” Steve joked, sitting next to the guy on the couch. “How are you recovering?”

It was really hard to talk about it then, they shared almost the same experience, so they knew exactly how it was to be almost eaten alive.

Day after day, they were hanging out and talking on the phone. They started to look forward to seeing and talking to each other, as much as sharing jokes and laughs. It didn't matter if it was about the event or something else.

“No way, man. This is your vest!” Steve couldn't even hide he was surprised by Eddie's gesture. It was more meaningful than he thought it was.

“Yeah, you said you liked it, and it honestly looks good on you” He teases, leaving the guy with flushed cheeks. Eddie smirked and watched as the other one dressed the vest over the sweater he was wearing.

“You're not wrong, though” Both of them laughed as Steve playfully spun around.

They stared at each other for a few seconds, eyes focused on both faces. The music outside was a blur, the room suddenly became a little warmer.

The host broke the flirtation and smiled. “Can you help me out with something in the kitchen?” He asked suddenly, but Eddie just nodded.

Clueless of what it was, he looked around the kitchen island, not having any idea of what kind of help he was looking for.

“What the hell do you want, Harrington? There's nothing here” He let out a scoff, watching as Steve grinned, biting the inside of his cheeks.

He looked up, and Eddie followed his gaze, eyes on a mistletoe hanging above them.

“Oh… Are you sure you want-”

Steve cut him off, he didn't want Eddie to have second thoughts about his decision, so he nodded. “Yeah”.

Before his friend could come up with anything else, he planted a soft kiss on Eddie's lips. His ringed fingers tugged on a few strands of the nape of Steve's neck, making him shiver under the careful touch.

He actually didn't know what to do next. Clearly, Steve didn't have as much attitude as the other one has. The only thing he thought about was cupping Eddie's jaw. And man, did the curly haired guy like it.

It was sudden, different and good. So good. It was light, but warming to the touch, it felt right. It didn't have malice, obviously, but it made him feel something building up inside his body.

Steve felt a spark under his skin, he felt like a struck of lightning was running through his veins.

They spent a couple of minutes only savoring each other's lips before Robin showed up, carefully walking through the living room, watching her friends share their first kiss.

She cleared her throat feeling nervous about how their reaction would be and stared as both of them took a moment to break the kiss.

“Uh… I'm sorry, but Jonathan wants all of us to take a picture together. You're both required” She said, already spinning around ready to leave them alone.

Steve yelled her name, and she stopped by her tracks, looking at them once again.

“It's fine. You don't need to be embarrassed” He reassured and Eddie wrapped one of his arms around the man's waist.

“I'm sorry, I thought you guys wouldn't like to be seen exchanging saliva” Both of the guys snorted at her statement, and she felt lighter.

“Rob, don't worry about that. It would've happened anytime” Eddie earned a taunted slap on his ass from Steve and they all laughed.

They all gathered together for the picture Jonathan was about to take. He set up the timer and positioned himself next to Nancy and Will.

They were all busy fighting to get in the shot, not even noticing how close Eddie and Steve were. They were smelling each other's colognes as their skin were touching while their arms were rubbing against each other.

Five seconds before the shot, Steve turned his head to face the man next to him. “Merry Christmas, Ed. I'm glad you're with us today”.

“I'm glad to be here with you, especially” He said. Before they could look at the Polaroid camera, the flash went on.

A few minutes later and they were all talking about how great the picture turned out. Only then making sure to point out how Steve and Eddie weren't looking at the camera. Instead, they were staring at each other, their faces with a tender smile and a new history for them to talk about.

From that day on, they knew they were doomed. One, because their friends won't let the fact that they were madly in love with each other. And two, because it was impossible to not like each other.

[reinekes-fox]

Aw, it's 3am here too and I'm awake too, but I rarely go to bed before 4am so that's normal!

But since you want a question, let's ask one that is related to sleep (or lack of it)... For the Stray ROs in Birds of a Rose, what would their reaction be if the MC has horrible nightmares (like if they whine and cry when sleeping - sometimes wake up screaming)? Especially if judging by the mumbles while sleeping, it seems their nightmares revolve around feeling trapped and wanting freedom and to get away and stuff?

PS: also, will it actually be an option in game, later down the line?

I do hope you dont need to get up early!

For your question: it will happen, although not as drastic! So far I plan to code that in if Wing MC is "contradicting" i.e. being doubtful of the cult but also choosing to go after higher ranks!

The reactions:

Fuchsia King

She awakens before you even begin to mumble, your heartbeat getting faster and her eyes snap open when she registers it. Taking a few seconds to look around, orient herself, she hesitates a few seconds more. Only when she hears you mutter something, oh how she now regrets not going to that language course, does she move. Her hand gently on your shoulder she notices you flinchig from her touch even in sleep and her heart drops.

"Its fine.", she whispers, "You are fine.", her mind scrambles, just what kind of nightmare could you be having, what could she say to soothe your nightly terror, "You are safe, no one will hurt you. I will protect you." Would she? She looks at you. Yes.

Chase Watson

He lies awake even before you start to mumble, twist and turn in your sleep. He stares, trapped in old ways and beliefs that are always stronger at night. While he doesnt understand your muttering what he does understand is you waking up screaming, hands going to your neck... what else yould one look for at such a place but chains? Chains that hold ones mind and that still hold his even though he thought he had broken his a long time ago... he turns around and blinks away the tears that burn in his eyes.

In a different life he can imagine himself standing up to comfort you, crack a stupid joke, pat your shoulder and watch as you slowly calm down. But all he can do is listening to your breath slowly going back to normal on your own.

Droznik Juschka

He feels your nightmare and it comes like second nature to him to be by your side, calmly chatting about whatever comes to his mind, a hand reassuringly on your shoulder. He knows what your mutterings mean and he wishes he could give you what you are so desperatly wishing for. Once you wake up he pulls you close to him, hugging you hard enough that you feel it but not strong enough that you feel trapped.

"Do you want to go outside and look at the stars?" he whispers while stroking your back.

Astoria Rapace

She looks up from her book when you start to whimper in your sleep. Trying to concentrate on it instead of you she stops when she pays attention to what you are saying...

With a sigh she drags the chair to your side, her cold hand looking for yours and gently holding it.

"Just wait a little longer, my Bird.", she bends down to whisper into your ear, she can see your hair move with her breath, "I will grant you what you wish."

E. Falkenflug

They wake up groggily when they hear your scream, eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger... but there is none, just a fellow Songbird sitting upright in bed, chest rising and falling too quickly, hands clenched together and eyes wide in terror.

They are silent for a few seconds. Normally they would just try and go back to sleep, saving both of your faces in the process. Pretending they didnt hear your fragile mind... but they know how it is to wake up screaming. And how hard it can be to fall back asleep.

"Do you want to sleep next to each other?" It helped them. And it might help you.

Marter

Why are you still awake? They look at the screen in worry.

Marter: are you fine?

Wing: Yes.

Nearly they snort, as if!

Marter: you are sometimes awake at this unsaintly hour... do you have trouble sleeping?

The answer takes longer and they can almost picture you, trying to think about a correct answer. How they wish they could embrace you through the screen and tell you that you shouldnt worry! Not with them.

Marter: I saw your pictures, they are really nice!!

Wing: thanks

The pictures are beautiful, that hadnt been a lie. But the pictures of flying birds and their caption spoke of such a deep sadness... but they cant openly write about that. Surely you would deflect.

Marter: I also have trouble sleeping :) so you can write to me whenever you want!

A little white lie... but maybe this will get you to be more open about it.

Marter: or need someone to talk to! I always have an open ear, especially for my most beloved wing

[marierg]

Of Light and Darkness: The Rising Darkness Pt.3

Pairing: Obi Wan Kenobi X Reader

WARNINGS!: IF YOU ARE EASILY TRIGGERED DO NOT READ THIS ONE!!!!! ANGST! Death, Rage, self doubt, betrayal, portrayals of a psychotic episode! NOT LIGHT READING!!! Also Jango being a lil bit of a tease at the end, stolen kiss but not much more. (@pickleprickle come get yo juice)

A/N: Ok my friends so if you know this story then you know what part we're at. Yes I'm putting Anakin's part on Tattoine in here because it is important, but also I felt that the movie didn't really do enough for that part. I ADORE Hayden and his portrayal, so much body and facial expression to cover the things not said! And yes I also wanted to do just a bit more with Jango because we don't get much of him here to reflect all the lore that comes later. This splits back and forth a lot so I apologize now.

PS- as always if Italic that means telepathic communication.

Picture Credit: Lucasfilm, Pinterest, and Gifs from Tumblr

Song Credit: I won't back down by: Tom Petty (Link)

Words: 6400 ish.... Thick with 2 C's

Masterlist Next

Anakin stood on the balcony overlooking the lake. Listening to the waives crash on the rocks, the birds that flew over head, even the current below the surface of the water seeking the calm of nature. Padme was moving towards him, but even her presence could not quell the pit in his stomach. Horrible visions haunted his mind of his mother sobbing, bloodied and in pain... begging for help that would not come. He knew what must be done, in so doing he would be abandoning both Padme and the mandates of the Order.

But for his mother it was the only thing to do.

Padme's mind and heart were in conflict, they always were where Anakin was concerned. Staring out at him she observed the man and again tried to deny that he had found a place within her heart. Padme's mind constantly clamored against this feeling over and over, begging her to come to reason. Yet when Ani smiled or laughed or even laid the lightest of touches on her... all protest flew out the window. She had hoped that after dinner last night that both of them could move forward as friends, yet even as he stood there she felt that all too familiar pull and who could fight the stars.

Anakin could smell Padme's floral perfume on the air, hear the scrape of her slippers against the marble with every step she took toward him. He knew that he had to be professional, especially after their discussion. She had made clear that the two of them could not be together, that what he longed for was impossible. Anakin had taken his shot, he had been honest and now he knew how she felt. What his Master had failed to tell him was what to do afterward.

“Don't go...” It was a soft request, pain underlying his need for her presence. Anakin opened his eyes to take in the beautiful sunrise... made all the more so by the woman who would forever hold his affections even if it was unrequited.

“I didn't want to disturb you.” Padme was preparing to walk away, but couldn't leave him now.

“Your presence is soothing.”

“You had another nightmare” She sighed as Anakin began to bristle, “I heard you yelling, would you like to talk about it?”

Why did he trust her so readily even though she had shredded his heart not hours before? Anakin sighed in resignation, telling Padme of his awful vision. “She's in pain... I have to help her.”

Padme folded her hands in contemplation. There was no doubt that Anakin had already made a decision, she simply needed to allow him to voice it. Nodding to show she was listening he continued.

“I know that I am disobeying my mandate to protect you Senator...”

Padme winced a little at the use of her title, but reflected that she had set that precedent.

“... and that I will be punished and likely thrown out of the Order. But she's my mother.” Anakin finally raised his eyes to the angel of the stars. She wasn't like the other women he knew, no sarcastic eyebrow or disapproval to mar her beauty, simply serene. “I'm sorry Padme truly, but I must go.”

Padme moved forward taking Anakin's hand. “Ani I told you that I wouldn't let you throwaway your future because of me. I will go with you so that you will not be breaking your mandate.”

“What about Master Obi Wan and Master Y/n?”

Padme squeezed his hand, “I guess we won't tell them will we.”

_____________

“Stargazer to Harbor... Stargazer to Harbor... Come in Harbor?”

Mace acknowledged the transmission, a small holo projection of you and Kenobi appearing before the gathered Jedi Council members. “We read you stargazer, report?”

“Masters we have tracked the Bounty Hunter Jango Fett to the planet Geonosis. More disturbing is that there is a large gathering of Starships from the Trade Federation.” Obi Wan was glancing from port to starboard on the craft.

You piped in while your fellow knight navigated, “Yeah and gave us a good run for our money too.”

“Are you both alright?” Mace could feel the tension rising in his chest. It would never matter how old his apprentice became, you would always be under his protection.

“A few shots across the bow, but Obi Wan got us through.”

Obi Wan tuned, “Masters I fear that our investigation has become all the more complicated. With your permission we would like route out the connection the Trade Federation has to Fett and the clones of Kamino.”

He hated the exhausted edge that laced the voices of both knights. Looking to his colleagues he felt concern and perhaps even a touch of fear. The Republic that had been hard fought and won over a millennia ago was upon the brink disaster. Mace would rather call you both back and regroup, he would rather send out a group of the Council themselves to finish this investigation. At the end of the day though he was the head of the Council and must do what was necessary, his personal feelings be damned. “Proceed with caution, may the Force be with you.”

________________

“She's been gone a month... There's little hope that she's lasted this long.”

The words rang in Anakin's ears as he practically flew the borrowed speeder past breaking point. He'd gotten a lead on the Tusken raiders and the closer he got the more he could feel his mother in the Force. “I'm coming mom, just hold on.”

He would rescue her.

He would not leave her behind again.

_______________

The winding catacombs and tall spires allowed every small noise to echo without fail. Every footstep, every swish of a cloak seemed like the clanging of pans in a library. Your nerves were strung tight, hands reflexively holding your saber hilt. As the two of you wound deeper and deeper into the structure you saw more than enough evidence of why the Trade Federation was here. Line upon assembly line of droids filled the lower levels. Up ahead voices reverberated in the corridor, Obi Boy pulled you back to the safety of the shadows. “Obi what are they saying I can't hear it?”

“It would appear that Nute Gunray and whoever is contracting with the Geonosians is the one who put out the contract on our friend the Senator.” Obi Wan glanced down at the scaring around your right ear, yet another mission souvenir along with the associated hearing loss normally you were able to compensate, the fact that you weren't went to show your level of exhaustion. “I think we'd best go up top.”

“Did you see who?”

“Not yet, but I could hear them.”

Obi Wan could feel the blood lust radiating from Nute Gunray as he spoke about where he would like best to display Senator Amidala's head in his office. As the two Knights crept to an overhanging ledge the conversation became clearer. Representatives of the Banking Clan and Techno Union were sat at a large table and at the head sat none other than Master Dooku. While Obi Wan was shocked he could feel disgust and anger from you, pebbles were clattering from the ripples you sent through the Force, “Wee one we need to remain calm. Focus.”

“That karking traitor!”

Dooku watched with mild amusement as the various beings at the table squabbled and bantered, all pawns on his game board. Long ago he learned that a bit of theater and patience make the negotiation. Dooku also knew that most of the beings gathered here did so for the benefit of their own pockets and not some true disillusionment with the government. Behind him Fett was standing alert if not somewhat perturbed, a deep sigh passing the vocorder of his helmet. Waiving a hand Dooku cut into the bickering, “AS I said earlier gentlemen, I am convinced that 10,000 more systems will rally to our cause with your support.”

“We need to report in.”

Obi Wan raised a finger, begging you be patient, “Not yet, there's more to be heard I believe, we will be patient.”

“Not my strong suit.”

“...The Banking Clan will sign your treaty.”

Dooku smiled, nodding a show of appreciation. “When the battle droids of our friends with the Trade Federation are combined with yours we shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy. The Jedi will be overwhelmed.”

As the meeting came to a close Dooku turned to the hunter behind him. “I believe some acquaintances of yours have arrived. Please see our new guests to more... suitable accommodations.”

“I doubt that they'll accept your hospitality.”

He smiled at the man's dry humor. Fett was good, very good in fact, with more than a few Jedi kills under his belt in addition to his lengthy reputation. These two knights were quite the wily pair, but he had little doubt that the hunter could handle the task. The information that he had brought back alone was worth observing the two further. All was playing out as he had foreseen and soon the trap would be baited, “Wait until they have transmitted their report to Coruscant then bring them to me, alive please.”

Fett tilted his helmet, annoyance rippled around him. He was an intelligent being though and knew better than to disobey. After all, Fett would never want his precious son to come to harm. Turning on his heel the hunter paused before stalking into the catacombs.

“As you wish.”

________________

Anakin moved through the hole into the Tusken shelter and his heart stopped beating. His mother hung limply from the poles that had been used to secure her for the night. Bruising, lacerations... far too many injuries to count as he angrily tore at the bindings, she was still alive though. Carefully he lowered her frail, pained body to the ground.

Anakin wanted to cry, choking on his words, “Mom... Mom it's me.”

“Ani?” Shmi tried to blink, as if searching in the dead of space for something familiar. Her trembling hand finally landing on a warm cheek, smile spreading as her son pressed his own hand to hers. “Ani is it you?”

He longed to crush her to him, but Anakin could feel the pain radiating from her. He could barely breath from being so overwhelmed, lips trembling as he pressed a tender kiss to her palm. “I'm here mom, I'm here. Everything will be alright now.”

“My son... my grown up son.” Wistful smile tugging weakly at her lips, how Shmi wished this had happened differently. Oh but he had grown up so well, the Jedi had done as promised and taken such good care of him.

“Hold on a little longer mom,” Anakin shifted to begin standing but froze as his mother gasped in pain, “Please... please mom, just stay with me.”

“So handsome...My boy is grown, now I am complete.”

Anakin could feel the flickering in her signature, like a candle caught in a storm. No no no, he had to save her! What good was being a Jedi if he couldn't save his mother. He tried to calm himself, readying again to get up and take his mom away from this place. “Just stay with me a little longer mom, I'm going to make you well again. Padme's here, we'll take you to Naboo, it's so beautiful mom. I'll call Master y/n and she'll make everything better.”

“Ah, my son... I'm so... proud of you...tell me more,” Shmi knew she was dying, but at last she felt peace. She knew her passing would pain her son greatly, but maybe she could distract him for just a bit and slip away quietly.

Anakin cursed that he couldn't simply heal his mother like his Master could. Why hadn't he pushed himself harder to learn, why hadn't you?! Why did his Masters hold him back?! He wanted to scream, to rage but his mom needed him, he had to give her something to fight for. “It's so beautiful mom, green and full of lakes and streams. There's so many things I want to show you... we can all go mom.”

“Ani... I love... I love... you.” Shmi Skywalker slipped away peacefully in her son's arms, the wisp of a lake and Anakin's smile her final vision of comfort.

“Mom don't go, please.... please....” He felt the minute that her signature rejoined the greater Force itself. Like a genie in a bottle that could not be put back, Anakin clutched the mortal remains of his mother to him.

Cold despair washed over Anakin and into his heart. He had failed her... he had failed his mother, the one who had brought him into the world and protected him for nine long years. How often had she gone without to provide for him, shielded him. All that he ever knew of love was from this one woman and he had let her slip right through his fingers. How could she be gone? How could the galaxy allow her to die?

Then the cold was replaced by something so seductively warm and comforting. It's treacherous feeling taking the place of the emptiness that filled him. It whispered falsehood disguised as words of solace, at least he felt something in the gaping bleeding hole in his chest. No, it wasn't his fault. Anakin had done his best, it was the Tuskens that had killed his mother. The Tuskins had captured her, beaten her, starved and worked her to death.

They were animals

They weren't even humanoid

They were mindless monsters like his step father had said

AND HE WOULD MAKE THEM PAY FOR WHAT THEY HAD DONE!

Anakin placed his mother's body down on the floor gently, removing his cloak to cover her. He may not have been able to save her, but he could avenge her memory and see that these beasts harmed no one else. Rising with his fury to keep him warm, Anakin clutched at the handle of his saber. He felt the Force surge through him and it felt so good in the midst of his despair. He no longer felt powerless, he felt in control. Walking out of the hut he sliced down the guards quickly without a flinch. Hearing the other warriors coming to fight Anakin welcomed it.

Today... today his mother would have justice for all of her suffering.

In the words of his dear friend, for the ones he loved he would to do terrible things.

And just as Glitch had also said, he would never forgive himself.

____________

You were trying to keep up with Obi Wan as he ran ahead of you. This intel needed to get back to the Council and the Senate quickly to avert disaster, damn your short legs. As the two of you approached the starfighter a scream was ripped from your chest, crumpling your body to the ground.

“Y/N!” Obi Wan turned on a pin sprinting back to your collapsed convulsing form. He held you to his chest to try to muffle your cries of agony, reaching for you through your bond. “Y/n, what is it wee one? Talk to me please?”

Obi Boy's voice sounded distant even in your mind, his normally soothing presence could not ease this jagged pain in your heart. Nor could it silence the voice crying out from beyond the grave. You must be going mad, finally snapped from too much stress and stims. But there was no denying who that voice belonged to....

“Y/n what is it?” Obi Wan took a sharp inhale as your eyes flew wild and wide, panicked breaths finally starting to slow. He tried to brush the tears forming at the corners of your eyes. “Y/n it's alright, I have you.”

“P-p-pain... Anakin...He's in pain.”

“Y/n you need to breath with me, calm yourself. We'll go to him straight away, but first I need you with me.” He saw as your pained face nodded, breathing starting to even. You were scared and that frightened him knowing it took a lot to shake you. But he also knew you well enough to redirect your racing thoughts, “We know that the transmitter won't get out of the canyon, can you climb with the booster to that cliff ledge so I can relay?”

“I can do that. Yeah, I can climb.” Scrambling up you could still feel the recoil and pain in the Force, but Obi Boy was right. As badly as you wanted to get in the fighter and get to your Padawan there were more pressing matters at hand. The needs of the many verses the needs of the few and in the end you knew your obligation was to the greater number. It was the simple and terrible math of triage, there were always more whom needed your help. Sweet merciful Maker forgive you... Anakin forgive you... but it had to be done. Checking the horizon you steadied the booster.

“R-4 relay this message to Coruscant, top priority and continue relay until acknowledged,” Obi Wan watched as you gave the thumbs up. R-4 however still was unable to boost the signal enough due to the damage. “Try to reach Anakin on Naboo...What do you mean he's not there?”

On the ledge above, you could only partly make out what was being shouted at the poor little astromech, but then you heard the word Tattoine clearly enough. “Obi what's happened?”

“The boy has decided to go for a joy ride it would appear... we'll deal with this later.” Instructing the droid to start Obi Wan began his message, “Anakin if you can hear me re transmit this message to the Council....”

_______________

Mace had been uneasy since Yoda had come out of seclusion, stating that one of their fallen had somehow reached out through the Force and that Skywalker was in anguish. He could feel a shift, something turning in the lines of fate... a shaterpoint was about to be crossed. The garbled transition from Kenobi gave no clue to your fate but he could only assume that you were taken prisoner alongside your fellow Jedi. Already there were members of the Order rallying and ready to leave, along with some old friends.

Listening to the Senate finally approve the use of the clone army, however suspect their origins, Mace turned to his Senior Council member. “It is done but the army will need time to assemble. I will take what knights we have here and lead the mission to Geonosis.”

“To Kamino will I go, bring this new army to meet you I will. Trust in our knights, trust in the Force. proof of these troops metal, we shall see.” Yoda studied the eyes of the man before him, stormy and hard as a mountain in winter. While many found Master Windu to be hard and unyielding, few realized the reason for it. It was not that he did not care... no, it was that he cared deeply. Always standing tall between the Order and what storms may come, but even a mountain would weep if it's larks were no longer there to sing their songs. “Master Windu save our captured knights, we will.”

Mace clenched his jaw, knowing that the future was uncertain for all. Nodding and with a sweep of his cloak he made his way down to the speeder where two old friends waited. On a mission like this the Jedi could use all the help they could get. Turning to the old pilot and the pink haired hell fighter, Mace took a steadying breath and prayed the Force that you still breathed.

“We're going to get them back."

______________

“They'll never make it in time, they have to come halfway across the galaxy. We're only a parsec away...”

“If they're still alive,” Anakin sat heavily in the co pilot's chair, folding his arms if only to hold himself together. First his mother now his Masters, what did the universe wish of him? Would it not be happy till every one of the people he cared for was dead. In that moment Anakin was glad that Padme did not love him, maybe she would be spared.

“Ani are you just going to sit there and let them die? They're your Masters, your mentors...”

“They're my family!” Anakin's anger snapped. He closed his eyes trying to find a level of calm like the two of you had taught him. If Master Obi Wan were here he would remind Anakin that the Senator's safety was his primary mission and you would want both he and Padme to be safe. If his Masters were here they would both tell him that the mission came first, as much as he wanted to fly there and save you both. “But you heard Master Windu. He gave us strict orders to stay put.”

“He gave you orders to protect me and I'm going to save Obi Wan and Y/n.” She started flipping toggles and switches, set in her decision. “So if you plan to protect me, you'll just have to tag along.”

Anakin couldn't help the relief that washed over him, nor the smile of admiration. Padme always found a way, no matter the odds his Angel always found a way. Turning in his seat he began the launch sequence, “Yes Ma'am”

“That's more like it.” Padme tilted her head to check that C-3PO and R2 were safely aboard. It was good to hear Ani sounding like himself and not the despaired broken person of a few hours before. At least it was a sign that he may yet recover from the death of his mother, even if the actions he had confessed to would haunt him. Padme knew Anakin must have fought his way in and out of that camp, collateral damage was bound to happen. Because that was what it must have been...

it had to be.

________________

The electric currents shot painfully through your body again as your captors questions remained unanswered. You had been able to escape initial capture, but were caught by the Geonosians after trying to retrieve Obi Wan.

You would both pay for the error.

Admittedly the odds were not in your favor, you managed to disable a majority with a gas explosion, sliced the wings off many others. In the end though you had been taken kicking, biting, cursing, and screaming and placed in the interrogators beam.

Master, no Count Dooku was standing before you calmly asking again why you and Obi Wan were there. The tone was the same that he had used when students disappointed him in training. But this was not the same Master whom had tutored you, no this was a different man and no longer a Jedi. Gritting your teeth you started to mumble the words to a song that was a favorite of Master Melri, one that all to well fit the situation.

“Well, I won't back down

no, I won't back down

you can stand me up at the gates of hell

but I wont back down”

“Y/n this can all be over if you would only tell me the reason for your presence here.” Dooku could hear the off key singing, noting the lyrics as your reply. Interrogation rarely resulted in the desired information and it wasted time. Not that he wanted nor needed to perform this exercise, least of all with Obi Wan. His Grand Padawan may yet be of use to his plans and harming him would be counter productive. You on the other hand were a complication and a wild card in his deck. Waiving a hand the current turned off, the only sounds filling the small space was your ragged breathing.

“We both know that you won't let me walk out of here.” Glaring at the dark figure in your peripheral vision you heard the Count hum in agreement. The only hope that you and Obi Wan had was if your wayward apprentice received the distress call. Your own temper was flaring from all that had been brought to the light. Dooku's betrayal to the Jedi, the assassination plot, war...

You spat at the viper's feet, “Nutricula seditiosorum omnium.”

“I see you still favor the old tomes in the archives,” Dooku considered something for a moment, something he had not weighed before. Troublesome though you were quite clever, nor was there anyone else with a keener insight to the workings of the Jedi Council. If he managed to acquire one Knight the other would follow, two for the price of one. Coming to stand alongside your suspended body he removed a handkerchief to blot at your cut lip. Your sharp gaze never left his, challenging and dare he say angered. He had almost forgotten that you were of mixed lineage, the temper of the former being legendary... How very interesting. “Tell me did you ever study the old scrolls regarding Darth Malgus? Always two, no more or less... How many Sith were destroyed that day on Naboo?”

You turned away focusing on a spot on the wall, ignoring whatever game this seditionist wanted to play.

“I see in your eyes that you know the truth, that the other Sith remains.” The girls gaze shifted back to him. She had been there, had seen his predecessor. “What if I told you I am on the trail of the Sith who escaped? That even now this Darth Sidious is exerting his power to weaken the Republic one senator and system at a time.”

“You're lying.”

Dooku hummed, “You and I both know that I am not. Your intellect would be invaluable. You, Obi Wan and I, together we could finally bring this monster to justice for what he did to Qui Gon and the Republic.”

“The Council would have sensed this danger if it was so close,” Anger and denial raged in your veins, but somewhere in the back of your mind the words took hold. Like a challenge it dared you to follow, to seek, to investigate. Looking at the Count, at the smug upturn of his lips you shook the thought away. “Obi Wan would never join you and neither will I.”

“Even if it meant that you could finally have what you've always wanted? To keep that which you so covetously guard?” Dooku watched your face drain of color. While you were very good at hiding your thoughts and feelings, Obi Wan was not. It hadn't taken much including the information that Fett had provided to come to a conclusion. These two had a bond that would not easily break and perhaps that was their undoing. “To no longer fear losing the one that you loved?”

“I cannot fear that which I cannot lose,” Leveling a harsh look at the man you narrowed your eyes, "Love is of the soul. A soul cannot be destroyed, only these mortal vessels.”

Clever girl, much like her Masters before, “But what of now? Have you not longed for a family, a normal life with the one you cherish? Don't you deserve a reward after all you have done and sacrificed? After all that you have already lost?”

Yes you had dreamed such a thing, still did on your worst days. A small cottage somewhere peaceful with not a worry more than your patients and perhaps a small garden for your Obi Boy to tend to. To fall asleep to the sounds of the wind and sea or the trees and small creatures that would surround your home. But in a way you already had your family, you and Obi Boy and Anakin. You three were happy in your own little way and that was more than you could have asked for. No, the Devil himself would not turn you today. “Amabo eum in vita vel morti...”

“Then there's really nothing more I can do for you my dear. Such a pity,”

“Why not just kill me now,” you challenged.

“Would that I had the ability to grant such mercy, but I'm afraid our friends in the Trade Federation have taken quite the interest and our hosts have prepared something in their honor.” Dooku turned just as he made the doorway. “The Haako family patriarch in particular, the one whose namesake you killed.”

The door closed behind him, the sound deafening and final. You couldn't help the tears that fell as the old memories of the fight for Naboo dug into your heart, still you kept singing. If it was the last thing in this galaxy that you did it would be to wipe the smug look from that man's face. Besides, you had long known one simple truth... Death was such an old acquaintance that he would come for you last.

And only after all of your loved ones had been taken from you.

“No, I'll stand my ground

won't be turned around

and I keep this world from draggin' me down,

gonna stand my ground

And I won't back down.”

Jango Fett considered himself a fair man. When he was hired for a job he did the job, he never enjoyed the killing though. Some hunters got into the business for their own blood lust, Bosk was like that, but Jango enjoyed the challenge a hunt brought. The cat and mouse, the strategy, the soreness after a good fight, never the killing. He had a code that he followed, loose as it was, including that his targets did not suffer needlessly.

The Count, as his boss preferred to be called, had asked him to transfer the female Jetii to the holding cell where her counterpart was. That Tyranus had tortured the woman for the sick joy of it, well that didn't set well with him. She was a strong little thing though, hadn't given the man the pleasure of her tears nor given into his tactics. Something far worse had done greater harm to her in the past because she hadn't crumbled, simply sang her little song in defiance. For that the Jeti'ika impressed him all the more.

Entering the room he bound your wrists and began escorting you through the winding catacombs of the lower levels. “Don't try anything funny Jetii.”

“My name is Y/n if you'll recall,” You moved with a bit of a limp given the rough capture. Glancing at that shiny bucket you remembered the terror in the Changling's eyes. This was the Hunter that was so feared, but beneath that helmet was a man and not a monster. You may be resigned to your fate, but as a Jedi it was your duty to protect and to hope. There was yet one innocent here that could be saved and perhaps another soul that could yet turn back to the light. As tired as you were, as cynical as you felt, you had to try. “You should take your son away from this place.”

Jango tilted his head, “And why is that Y/n?”

“I know your boss. Master Dooku will only let you live as long as you're useful, then who will protect Boba?” He had called you by your name, it was something at least. You kept an even tone as you continued, “He was my teacher once long ago, but matters little to him. Friends, family, loyalty none of that matters, nothing can stop what he has planed. Once he has a goal Master Dooku does everything to achieve that end... He doesn't like loose ends.”

“And I don't like tricks little girl,” Jango roughly pulled his prisoner into small hallway alcove, pressing her into the rough stone. He watched your face for the usual disappointing displays; the big eyes and tears, begging, bargaining, seduction. All he saw though was bone deep weariness and a jaded smirk of one who could see their own end. He couldn't place why this bothered him, but for some reason Jango didn't want to see the fight leave you. He also knew what the Bugs had in store for the two knights and if he hated anything it was a rigged fight. Still the question remained what was the woman playing at?

“I'm not trying to trick you Jango. Frankly if there wasn't a child involved...” Stars and the Force help you to get through the man's thick skull. You leaned back more firmly into the stone as he lifted his helmet to look you in the eye. The man had done bad things made bad bargains, but Boba was just a kid. “Your son deserves to keep his Dad.”

His gaze narrowed at you, eyes cold. “Why would you give a kark about my boy?”

Closing your eyes on a heavy sigh you told the truth, “Because I know what it is to lose a parent and I'd spare any child that same pain. Please just take him and fly far away from here, live a happy life and grow old. If you stay here you will not see him become a man... and that would be a shame.”

You were being sincere, even past the exhaustion and pain that tainted the rest of your body language Jango could see it. You didn't beg for your life nor were you trying to escape. He again weighed his course of action just as he had earlier, the decision falling even more firmly into place now. Pulling his helmet down Jango crouched, lifted you onto his shoulder, and started walking down the corridor again. He knew this wasn't a smart idea, but it was the fair one. “Don't struggle.”

You startled when the hunter lifted you, but that was replaced with the bitter taste of failure. Why even try anymore, every time you tried to help it blew up in your face so why even try! The whirlwind of your mind was going so fast that when Jango placed you to sit on a high surface it took a full minute to realize that you were in a room of some type. Your eyebrow raised as he locked the door, “What are you...”

“Quiet.” His tone was sharper than intended and he watched as you flinched. Jango needed to get this done before sense returned to him. Removing two ration balls from his belt he pulled the front of your tunic aside and tucked one into a pocket, the other he held up to your mouth. “Eat, you'll need your strength.”

Unsure of his intentions you shook your head, making the hunter's temper flare. He grabbed your face holding open your mouth and forced you to take the food. It tasted like the rations that you were issued from the Temple, but there was no way to be certain. You held the food in your mouth, wanting to spit it out.

“Don't be stupid, swallow it.” Jango was not about to waste much time on this, he'd plug your nose if he had too, but you did as he said. Lifting a water pouch to your lips he growled in his throat before you could refuse to drink. Satisfied that was done he patted your thigh, “Good girl, now leg up.”

“Why?”

“Stubborn thing,” He raised your cuffed hands overhead to canter your body. Pulling the injector out, he showed you the label, then jammed it into your leg. Chucking it aside he tried to soothe the spot of the injection, stroking his thumb back and forth on the muscle. Jango shook his head again at the stupidity of doing this. Knowing that he and Boba would be on the run from both the Republic and Tyranus after his actions were discovered. Perhaps this one good deed would tip the scales in his favor when judgment came, perhaps it was just wishful thinking. “That should take care of the worst of it.”

He had released your hands to find something else in his belt, the Bacta had begun working through your body as well. You felt his anger and regret as tears of gratitude leaked down your face. Jango didn't have to do this, he owed you nothing, but he had been kind. Bringing your bound hands down you traced the Beskar Heart of his armor. Jango ceased his task to lightly clasp your fingers. Glancing up you saw his face soften, lips pursed with words he could not say, instead he bent forward to touch his forehead to your own.

“Thank you Jango.”

“You shouldn't be here," he used the same tone that he would have when Boba was little, not wanting to upset you more. Jango shook his head with a subtle huff, "you don't deserve to be here.”

Closing your eyes a sad little chuckle escaped you, “We rarely get what we deserve.”

“Isn't that the truth. From what I've seen though, I don't think this will be your last day.” Jango smiled sadly. In another lifetime maybe they could have even been friends, but that could be true of so many things. He pressed the last item into your hand, watched as you secured it in your robes. Time was short and he needed to get you to the holding cell, but then soft fingertips touched his cheeks. He was used to pain, but this gentleness was so very different. Glancing at your battered face Jango knew that he had made the right decision.

Leaning in you placed a soft kiss to his cheek, “When the fight comes, I won't look for you Jango. Fly swift and straight.”

As you pulled away Jango couldn't help indulging in temptation just a little. Your face could have fit entirely in the palm of his hand, his hold firm but careful of the bruising. Dipping his head down Jango collected his fee, after all one good deed deserves another. He kept the kiss light, tongue only just tracing the outside seam of your lips including the small cut on the tender bottom one before he pulled away. He had to smirk at the little sigh and the flush that crept up your cheeks.

Your mind had gone blank, not expecting him to do that! You were just trying to be nice and say thank you, but damn the man for being so cheeky. Then he gave a roguish, self satisfied smirk at you and that tore it. Narrowing your eyes you kicked him square in the ass plate, “Oh you...”

“Quid Pro Quo cyar'ika,” Jango couldn't help but smile at the fire in your eyes. He carried you down to the cell to be with your riduur, not that he thought the prick deserved you. He hoped that his actions would be enough that you would survive. Now he had to prepare and plan his own escape, and contingencies for Boba. If what you said was true then his own chances of survival weren't much better than your own. Glancing back from the door Jango watched as the two knights embraced, fretting over one another. What would it be like to have someone worry over him like that? Not that he had the time to ruminate on such things, he was being summoned for more intruders on the droid floor.

“Ret'urcye mhi Y/n, jate'kara.”

Translations:

Nutricula seditiosorum omnium (latin)- dry nurse of all seditious men

Amabo eum in vita vel morti (latin)- I will love him in life or death

cyar'ika- sweetheart

Riduur- spouse

Jeti'ika- little Jedi

Ret'urcye mhi- Good bye, but more literally maybe we'll meet again.

jate'kara- luck, destiny; more literally good stars to steer by.

Tags: @meshlasolus @a-rose-of-amber @aquaamethyst96 @rain-on-kamino @stanny-uwu @just-dreaming-marvel @nurseytypechick @in-a-mellow-tone @acatalystrising @pickleprickle @iambored24601 @songoficecreamandfireworks @misscamptl @purplepandora666 @obiknights @moostresskenobi @the-going-merry @ginger-swag-rapunzel @iabrokengirl @lovelyxlily @annasun13 @foxperifoto @supernaturallover2002

[blimbo-buddy]

TW for mentions of trauma, abuse, grief, and fatphobia.

I personally think that the perspective of Turtle Tail is one rooted within human nature. Often, we realize too late how we have failed other and ourselves. We fumble to say what needs to be said and remain silent when we should be loud. It is a fault everyone understands yet condemns themselves for.

In my mind, Turtle Tail feared accepting Bumble because it would divide her. This is referenced all throughout, but is primarily clear here: "Because she was selfish. Selfish and desperate. Her heart was tearing itself apart when she looked between Gray Wing and Bumble. Dismissing Bumble made it easier for her. It was easier to dismiss Bumble because it was just "bullying." It was easier to dismiss Bumble because that meant she didn't have to touch her trauma."

Her first thought is her cover. Her heart had already been split between them. It cried so loudly for both of them. But if it was just that, then it would have been easier.

Her second thought is the truth. Accepting Bumble into the group meant that she would genuinely have to face what Tom did was traumatizing. It would make it hard to pretend she is okay when she isn't. She hasn't been, even before this happened. Both of them would have to talk about what happened and that terrified Turtle Tail.

Honestly, the reason I said "her trauma" rather than specifying was to muddy who Turtle Tail was referring to because I didn't know. You could assume it was Bumble, but was it? All at once, Turtle Tail meant herself, Bumble, and both of them. She meant everything surrounding it.

At heart, Turtle Tail loves Bumble. She tore herself up over that moment every day. She had nightmares and the regret had already plunged its claws into her, even if she hadn't fully realized. But, because nobody could see that she wasn't okay, she never said anything because that meant she could keep up her façade.

So, what happens now that Turtle Tail's façade has shattered?

PS: My friends and girlfriend are all crying with you. I casually slipped the Turtle Tail & Bumble angst into their lives... They must become truthers of the new canon.

PS Part 2: People should use accidental canon flaws more often imo. It's great for angst and character growth. Characters, like people, don't always need to be forgiven and that includes the heroes. Because even the kindest and sweetest have made mistakes that have not been forgiven and that's okay. Regret is part of being alive, whether we like it or not.

PS Part 3: I would also just like to add that everything I write is through the character's eyes. Their thoughts are woven into the scenes. So, almost always, that's the character thinking, "I am horrible," but it's written within the narrative.

---

Despair.

Turtle Tail is left to wallow in her regrets. Strength has long since left her body, leaving her dizzy with exhaustion and aching from her wounds. The thoughts that drift through her head are foggy and loose, yet she can hear them cursing her. Each and every last one curses her.

She closes her eyes, tears wetting her fur once more. Memories come rushing through her mind within an instant. Each and every one of them knows what she's done - what has happened - yet all she can do is watch.

"So," Bumble tilts her head as she giggles, "Whatcha think of daffodils?"

What an odd question. Turtle Tail furrows her brows and swipes her tongue across her paw as she thinks about it. "Daffodils..." She murmurs, trying to piece together an answer.

Happily, Bumble adds on, "I hear that there's a type called angels' tears! Isn't that amazing?"

"What's... an angel?" Turtle Tail finds herself asking. Never in her life has she heard of that creature - at least, she assumes it's a creature - before.

Bumble's vibrant yellow eyes light up. Purring loudly, the molly scoots closer and the bell on her collar jingles. "My mother they're beautiful bird-like creatures that take away suffering. The housefolk apparently are very reverent towards them. It's a bit sad that they've shed tears, but..." She grins wider than ever. "I think it's beautiful that their tears blossom into flowers that others can love."

The words trek slowly through her ears. She should really be paying more attention to the conversation, but... It's as if she has gotten herself lost in a meadow of never-ending warmth. Gosh, Bumble truly is gorgeous.

"Yeah." She says absentmindedly, her eyes unable to pry themselves away from Bumble's. "They must be the most beautiful of all."

She should have said that Bumble is far more beautiful than any tear-made flower. Nothing in this world is more beautiful than her heart filled with sunlight and her smile that cares for all. Why - no, how - could she ever turn against her...?

"Turtle Tail..." A hesitant voice cuts through her thoughts. The weak mew reminds her of a cat whose mere presence disgusts her third to two of the worst cats she has the displeasure of knowing still breathe. "I-"

"Do you want to get mad at me for hurting your dear brother, Gray Wing?" She snarls, shakily forcing herself to her paws. This is not an argument that Bumble should be subjected to. Stars above, it shouldn't even be happening. "Is that it?" She hisses and bares her fangs, yet she can't bring herself to open her eyes.

He called himself wise, but he agreed with everyone that Bumble was just a fat lump of fur. He made a mockery of Bumble. If he... If they both thought about it, then they wouldn't be here. The fates would have changed. Life would be better. It would be happier.

A nervous whimper slithers into her ears, making them flatten in an instant. "I'm worried about you. We don't have to get into my brother's actions, I know you think he did it, but-"

A fire is lit inside of her. Drawing back her lips, she yowls, "Excuses! All you're good for is excuses!" Her eyes open in an instant to see what pathetic expression is on his face. Gray Wing shrinks back, horror making his eyes sink into his skull.

Hate is a word that Turtle Tail used to never use, but now? It's all she can feel. This world is painted crimson and she's part of the sickening bunch. "We don't have to get into it, but let me slip in how innocent he is before I move on!" She seethes, spit flying onto Gray Wing's face.

Emotion makes the world dart around her. It flashes by her so quickly she can only catch a glimpse. The dread, disgust, and hatred leading to the whirling world reminds her of Bumble. When Bumble got excited, she raced around her with a bright smile and only stilled when she got too dizzy to continue.

"You want to know something, Gray Wing?" The hate in her voice cannot burn like fire. Despair turns her blood into ice and every step she takes closer to Gray Wing agonizes her. Every wound sears her body, but she doesn't let the pain she deserve leak into her expression. "Your brother is the reason I dug her grave."

Gray Wing's ears flatten and he recoils immediately. His fur puffs out as though it got hit by lightning. "It was a fox, Turtle Tail." He rebukes, tearing his gaze away from her. "Clear Sky isn't to blame. Besides," he appears nervous yet sure of himself - despite not daring to look her in the eyes - as he meows, "I wish that she could have found happiness, but she could have never lived wild with us in the hollow."

Her fur bristles at the words that leave Gray Wing's maw. "I misspoke." She mutters and digs her claws into the ground so she doesn't lash out. The temptation dangles before her, but she forces it to thrash within her chest. "Your brother might be the reason I dug her grave, but just because he was the murderer doesn't mean his paws are the only ones dirtied. I dug her grave alone, Gray Wing. I dug it alone."

A confused frown appears on Gray Wing's face. He sheepishly glances up at her, his whiskers twitching. "I would have helped if you asked." He offers up as if it means anything now.

Actions that come too late show change, but no one could ever trust them.

"Then why didn't you, Gray Wing?" She questions, narrowing her eyes onto the ground. A bee lands onto a half-crushed flower, yet it doesn't seem to mind the damaged goods. Instead, the bee happily pollenates as it often does before taking flight.

A bitter laugh rings through her ears. It's her own, yet her voice riddled with pure disgust sounds foreign to her ears. She's not innocent. Never again will she pretend to be. "What stopped you from offering to help me? Was it because I'm someone whose value has decreased? Do you think I'm worthless? Should I be thrown to the wayside? Or..."

She knows that her bitter remarks are not the truth. When she looked into his eyes during Bumble's exile, she should have realized then what they were saying. She should have sided with the right cat.

"Or is it because it's better for you if Bumble is dead?" The hammering of her heart makes it difficult to tell that she spoke. It feels as if the ground is being knocked from under her paws. This is the answer, isn't it?

Gray Wing opens his mouth.

His mouth stays open.

It stays open for just a bit longer.

Then it closes.

"I hope you go to sleep tonight and are haunted by what your actions have led to." Wispily, the words float into the air. She sluggishly turns her head away from Gray Wing as she focuses on the misshapen grave. It doesn't matter if they disown her. She has already lost the one who matters.

God, the part about her seeing it as easier to dismiss Bumble because she wouldn't have to face her own trauma is just heartbreaking. The two cats have trauma that stem from the same roots, Tom. They've both suffered from that bastard and they (TurtleTail in this case) cannot push away their trauma without also pushing the other's trauma away, as the two are linked together tightly. The part about if she were to accept Bumble into the group, she'd have to wake up and become aware of Tom's abusive and traumatizing actions. She'd have to face her trauma as her and Bumble's trauma, as said earlier, are linked, it is shared trauma. But as you said, the thought of finally needing to face that trauma head on scares TurtleTail, she doesn't want to be hurt by the memories anymore, but by putting it to the side, it lingers and grows and it's impact becomes greater as it is consistently brushed off. It's sad and depressing. But let's finally delve into the story, shall we?

Okay first things first I fucking love the flashback with Bumble and TurtleTail in the meadow, it's genuinely so sweet but also makes you sad when you realize what happens to them in the end. I love how Bumble explains the concept of angels and TurtleTail is just staring at her thinking "Gosh, you're pretty". Then it gets you even more sad when, again, you remember what happens to them later.

The dialogue and writing with TurtleTail snapping at GreyWing and the narrative also goes after GreyWing rightfully, not just TurtleTail. If this was Erin Hunter, they would have written it where TurtleTail blames herself but then thinks about how 'wise' GreyWing is or something and then the text goes on to praise him. But this isn't written by Erin Hunter. Both the text and TurtleTail scream at and berate GreyWing's pure stupidity, his negligence to focus on the situation at hand in favor of trying to defend his brother and instead of the story siding with him, it sides against him. God, and the part where the bad in TurtleTail's mind morphs into joyous thoughts and memories of Bumble, like Bumble unknowingly has a grip on TurtleTail's mind, a grip that only tightened when TurtleTail turned away from her and only got stronger as guilt ate away at her brain. And then to have GreyWing speak the line that TurtleTail originally spoke in Bumble's canon death scene is such a neat little touch, the text does not try to treat this as words of wisdom or an attempt to ease TurtleTail, that is what sets it apart and what makes it better from the canon. And to then have GreyWing attempt to pull a "Well I would have helped if you asked" on TurtleTail just reminds me of when BrambleClaw did the same when the truth about the three were revealed, he claims he would have helped, but knowing how he is, how sure are we that this would have been true? Also the little bumble bee not minding the destroyed flower is such a good little touch, I would go a bit into detail about what it could possibly mean but I can't formulate proper words to describe what I believe.

And to really hit you in the face like a brick, TurtleTail's line, "Or is it because it's better for you if Bumble is dead?" serves as a call back to the canon scene when GreyWing believed that Bumble had "taken away" TurtleTail from him. TurtleTail is confronting this, truly realizing GreyWing's true negative feelings towards the poor Kittypet, realizing that he was possibly happy that Bumble was now gone, happy that Bumble could no longer "take TurtleTail away". He believes TurtleTail belongs to him and only him, and this truth/realization hits TurtleTail's mind like a rock to the skull.

GreyWing may not be haunted by what his actions led to, but TurtleTail will. She'll never stop reminding him of the innocent life he was complicit in taking away. The very thing they both were complicit in. The very thing the moor cats were complicit in. Bumble was TurtleTail's world, her world is gone forever. Anon you have done it again, you've managed to deliver a heartbreaking story about TurtleTail and Bumble, you managed to make scenes that reminisce on happy times make me feel even more sad with the knowledge of what was to come. You wrote a story that doesn't side with GreyWing, hell, not even a story that sides with TurtleTail too. The story sides with Bumble, the victim of it all. I could go on and on about how clever the writing is and how you easily avoided everything that makes canon DotC horrible in every sense of the word. If this is the last entry in the TurtleBumble saga, I would be completely satisfied. An open ending that finishes on a note of tragedy, all we can do is assume what might come next, but we wouldn't know what would actually come next. Even with two of the three entries focusing on TurtleTail, it's clear who the story is really about. Bumble.

[emmatgc]

Wonderful World FanFic

Seon Yul x Soo Hyun sequel (Part 1)

(Dedicated to a good friend. A short novel for one of my favorite no labels but rich in chemistry duo, relationship and what if couple in Kdrama. If you are not a “shipper”, better not read this one. New characters are added and will be added. Please take note this is all in my interpretation of the story and the aftermath of the finale. Enjoy! PS. I will try to update this every week if schedule permits)

Part 1: We meet again

A cup of tea in his hand, staring at his window after a long day, exhausted from 2 surgeries he assisted on thr day, Seon Yul can’t stop thinking about Soo Hyun after seeing her in that book signing last week after 6 years. She was radiant as ever. Seeing her smile brought warmth to his heart. It was the 1st time they saw each othe. Though they keep in touch through texts and a simple hi and hello conversation over the years, it was just enough to say they have moved on but still kept a part of each other. He saw her on TV once in those years but that walk in the lane was the perfect time in his mind to see her, even if from afar. He was ready, from afar.

This is their way of healing, as both agreed upon. Away from each other and moving on with their own lives.

Smiling and about to finish his tea, he was a bit surprised, she still has the same number. 

Those 6 years, Seon Yul became a doctor, for now a general practitioner but in another 2 years, a surgeon, to be precise, a heart surgeon. He always has a big heart and it is very fitting for him to be one. He kept his friends but as usual, he is alone, not exactly lonely but still on his own. In those years, healing came so rocky that the guilt gave him nightmares for almost a year or 2 , and he accepted it as punishment, too, for his twisted revenge against Soo Hyun. He was blinded but he was also a child. That is why Soo Hyun never blamed him one bit. 

Soo Hyun is living with her mom far away from the city,  who sadly has aggressive dementia. She said it's a blessing in disguise for she can only remember the good things. Her ex-husband continues to be a famous and prominent figure in the broadcasting industry and is now the Vice President of operations of the company. He still does special investigative reports from time to time. They are still friends and put up brave, united front act before her Mom as still husband and wife, so as not to upset her.

She now works in an orphanage and spent her time mostly there aside from writing her books. She managed to take care of those 10 children under her name, helping also the victims of accidents with the proceeds from her published books. She owns the orphanage and has a capable management team, a small one. She wants to devote all of her time with kids and that is the only way she can heal. She, too, is healing but the tears never stop but at least now, it is not every time she sees a child and a mother. 

After the book signing, she too, can't help but wonder, was that really Seon Yul? She smiled and had a sense of relief that he was doing ok just like what she told him to say and do, if the time is right. She regrets a little they weren't able to talk more but she hoped they would still see each other again in the future.

Seon Yul now smiles and goes out more often. He enjoys being a doctor and saving lives. Yoo-ra, his pretty, outgoing laboratory partner in his 1st few years as an intern, became one of his closest friends along with his new best friend, Shi Joon who specializes in plastic surgery. 

Summer time came, “Wonderful Smiles Orphanage” encountered a problem. There were 3 out of the 10 kids who got sick. It was very common for summer time to bring diarrhea, and other respiratory diseases, and each one had to be hospitalized for almost 2 weeks. A very worried Soo Hyun and her little orphanage team decided to look for help. The next day, she was told, a team of young doctors and nurses will volunteer for a month to stay at her orphanage for a quick case study and do everyday check ups for the children. They just came from hospital ships as well. 

Seon Yul? Soo Hyun uttered. A look of disbelief

Seon Yul was shocked. He didn’t know she was working in an orphanage now, let alone own one. He stared at her , like he did during her book signing but this time, he has to move closer. 

With the eyes of his colleagues on him, slightly confused, Soo Hyun walked towards them and welcomed them with a big smile. She reached for a hand shake at Seon Yul’s, and said “It’s been awhile”... he accepted it and he replied, “Yes, a long time” with a smile. 

Summer Time sadness for 6 years but maybe this time, it won’t be. 

So, they meet again. 

[rolling-restart]

Hi can you please do more little!seb, like him being super clingy ang just cuddly during the brake after his first wdc and just wanting to have somemform of contact with you at all times and he's so happy and subconsciously it's because he wants to make sure that this is all real, but you don't know it and just think he's being cuddly and cute because he's so happy and because you're so proud you just sote and spoil him with love and affection. Thank you! xo

-🖤

Ps. I would like to claim this emoji 🖤

Hello! Welcome! And sure yes, of course I can write more little!Seb!!!

Seb, freshly crowned, is super happy, don’t get him wrong. Somewhere in his alleged self-righteousness, he is very grateful to all people who helped him in the way but he is especially grateful for you. You kept him sane, and dealt with his little self’s anxiety, tantrums and meltdowns and after all said and done, he is just so happy to be able to spend some uninterrupted time with you, at last!

You two discussed him staying in the space as long as possible with regular checks to avoid disassociation during the break. He is very excited but at the same time, a little bit intimidated by the thought. He also thinks that he had been a nightmare during the stressful times of the season and his guilt and desire to be a very calm little for you drowns his comfort a little. Nevertheless, you are sure that this period will strengthen your bond and you dive into it. 

First, he finds it a bit hard to get into the space and maintain it for a long time because he is not under constant stress and stress had been the trigger for him to slip most of the time. You considered not interfering in his slipping process but you can also see that he is struggling with wanting to be little while not being able to achieve it so you decide to help. You ease him into the space with activities familiar to little Seb like colouring. Eventually, he gets more comfortable with the transition and starts slipping naturally in your presence. 

Another thing that captures your attention is how much more touch-starved he is compared to in-season. During the season he didn’t think about your side of this dynamic too much because he was too occupied enjoying the comfort and affection. However, now he started to question if this is real or if he is going to wake up from this nice, cosy dream of your affection engulfing his little world. Little Seb is not as good in the dissection of interpersonal relationships as adult Seb, therefore he struggles to open up about this to you. So he gets obsessed with contact. 

You realise that he is clingier than normal but you attribute it to the fact that now you two are alone without being afraid of being discovered mid-scene. You confuse lack of reservation with separation anxiety but you still give him all the cuddles and kisses he wants just to see him happy and lit up. 

He comes to you during the night, after you tucked him in a couple hours ago, dragging his favourite plushie and with tears in his eyes. You promptly take him in your arms and ask what is wrong.

“I… uhh… I had a nightmare.”

“Awhh, baby, do you want to talk about it? I can also just tuck you back in and cuddle you for a while?”

His gaze is fixed on the floor and it makes you even more anxious that he didn’t jump to the occasion of being cuddled.

“You were gone and I was alone… I couldn’t find you anywhere!”

“Is that so, liebling?”

He nods silently and takes a deep breath.

“I thought you left me forever.”

His sad little face is now stained with tears a little but you don’t call him out.

“It is all good now, honey, I am here. And I will never leave you.”

“Never ever ever never??”

His cute little mantra makes you chuckle a little. He also says that when you promise you will never make him eat brussels sprouts or when you promise to not watch the news on TV anymore because it scares him. 

“Never ever ever never, baby! Now let’s tuck you back in. Are you thirsty?”

His sleep is uninterrupted for the rest of the night and you don’t leave his side at all. You know how fragile a little’s trust and sense of safety is and you want nothing more than to make your little baby feel safe and loved all the time!

(Emoji added to the pinned post!)

[separatist-apologist]

I love little Ivy. She is so cute, and in some moment brighter that her parents. A question does your daughter resemble little Ivy, and that is how you write about a child so perfectly.

Also, it was a long time since a pup update. How is Waffles, is she still jumping over the fence?

PS I am so sorry you got negative comments about Devils Role The Dice. I just can't understand people and why would they pour their energy at insulting others.

I have borrowed some of her verbiage to make it feel like a child was speaking but I think my 5 year old is a lot different than fictional Ivy. The elephant moment was a very familiar scene though hahahaa. And in the car, "why are you always touching my mommy"

I have nightmares about Waffles. Sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat like oh my god, where is Waffles? I live in perpetual fear that one she will realize how easy it is to open the window in the living room (and also perpetual hope she might just run away and become another family's problem, even though I think I would miss her and look for her and immediately forget the way she is terrorizing us. Ive never had like, a PUPPY that came straight from their mother, I've always had a shelter dog. And say what you want, but shelter dogs are GRATEFUL.)

If you look Waffles in the eyes, its easy to see that there is just elevator music playing just behind. Zero thoughts. Only vibes. That would be fine but shes creeping up on 60lbs. She knocked over my trashcan today because she was excited about a piece of cheese and instead of APOLOGIZING or looking ashamed, she just began rooting through it for a snack

[excelsior9173]

Hihi Exie, I had a sleep token dream but it was kinda a weird fucked up nightmare haha. The more I think about it the tho the more…. Interesting it was??

Basically, dream me fell through a weird portal, and then I was trying to get to a different portal (which where electric blue, and pulsing and could move), and see if it would take me back to where I was before. I spent a lot of time going through different portals. At one point people were after me, and the only portal I could find was off the side of an old wooden bridge, and I was gearing myself up to jump into it, but the bridge lowered itself, or maybe the portal moved up to me? Idk if I had control in this dream at all, or if that’s just how the dream worked? But if I did have control I didn’t ‘consciously’ use it.

After a bit Vessel just kinda showed up?

Idk if that’s the right way to describe it, haha. He showed up like a bat outta hell out of one of the portals, the whole atmosphere changed, and at first I was like ‘oh SHIT’ and tried to hide, which ended up making me fall through a different portal.

At first I ended up back at my house, and I was like ‘oh, good!’ And then I saw that there were other people in my house that I didn’t know. Thinking back in the dream they seemed, very… hostile towards me? It was a mom and her child, and she was… she wasn’t outwardly hostile to me, but like now that I’m thinking about it her body language wasn’t welcoming.

In the dream, I didn’t think anything of it, as one tends to do In Dreams, and I was just relived to be home, and then Vessel burst through the back door.

The kid went and hid in my room, and I followed him back there cause I didn’t want him to be back there, and the lady followed us, cause she was now growing hostile to me, as I reached to get the kid out of my closet and turned around she was reaching for me, and I Knew I didn’t want her to touch me, but then Vessel popped up and hit her with one of my mom’s cast iron frying pans, and I filped out at him, like ‘you can’t just hit random people with iron pans!’

She got knocked out, but there was no sign of like. Actually being hurt? And then the room morphed into what it looked like back when it was my parents room (that’s a long story not for this ask) and my mom showed up, but she seemed…. Hostile and scared of me? And then the lady and my mom where curled up in my parents old bed, and I went to lay down with my mom and try to ask if she was ok, and what was happening; and I know now if I had succeeded in climbing up all the way in there with my mom it would have been a hostile situation, but then Vessel grabbed my arm, almost too tight, but in a protective way, and so I climbed down from the edge of the bed and followed him back out the back door of my house.

There’s a big pond behind my house and that’s where we headed, and there were like, 20 portals INSIDE the pond. I was like ‘oh ok, we are leaving’ but then there where these large…. Black tentacles in the pond with the portals, and so I was like ‘I’m not going in there!’ And honestly, even dream me knew Vessel was getting tired of my shit, but we sat down and started to wait til one of the portals would rise up out of the water.

And that’s when I woke up.

It did have that ‘everything in this dream looks the same as irl, but also Something Is Different.’ It was one of those times where the outdoor was So Much Bigger then it is irl. Like my pond was fucking Huge, and the hill to the pond was so Big. But that happens in my dreams all the time.

(Ps, sorry I haven’t answered your dream ask, but every time I read it I’m just like ‘damn😔 why can’t this happen for my Tumblr Friend Exie?’ So I don’t exactly know how to respond to it 😭.)

okay this dream actually sounds kinda fun? scary, but also fun. portal hopping sounds like an adventure!

i love the idea of vessel sort of acting like a psychopomp in your dream though, protecting you and leading you to where you needed to be. that’s super cool! and honestly a really interesting thought in terms of lore

(and no worries about my dream ask lmao, it was wild and i’m still thinking about it but like, at least i have the happiness of remembering the dream)

[thesunicarusfellfor]

Hello!! Do you think you could do a part 2 of my request? An maybe a lil bit of angst with fluff where the reader comes to the mansion crying because someone hurt them?( Maybe techno or dream? Possibly jack manifold? 👀) Hopefully that's ok I just love the way you write it's so good plus it makes my day whever I read :D hopefully your day or evening is going good

<3

imhereforfan-fic : Omg can you do another yandere tubbo x reader x yandere ranboo romantic relationship please? Maybe where they get kidnapped by the dream team? Oh and adding on to my request can it also have some cuddling towards the end haha I’m touch starved and crap lol but can it a full length fic Okay okay okay. So. I'm so damn happy people loved this fic and I got two requests that I can easily add together. I hope neither of you minds too much having your requests mixed together ^^ I deadass wanna cry from how many positive reviews I've received from Too Sweet. ALSO. I'm a little wary of making romantic fics for characters Ranboo and Tubbo so I'm gonna play with the platonic marriage, just making it really fluffy and affectionate. PS: THIS ISNT AS FLUFFY AS I WANTED IT TO BE SOOOO OOOOPS. AAAAND. TOMMY ONLY TOOK ONE OF DREAM'S LIVES IN THE FINAL DISC WAR

LIKELY TO HAVE MANY ERRORS DUE TO BAD WIFI AND LACK OF SLEEP TW: Knives (+injuries that come from knives), kidnapping, taking of canon lives, Dream being power-hungry, minor panic attack, referenced strangulation.

Part One

Too Sweet (For This World) Yandere!C!Ranboo x F!Reader x Yandere!C!Tubbo Part 2

A few months had passed since you had moved into the mansion and some... How ended up involved in Ranboo and Tubbo's marriage, as well as being Michael's mother. At first, you were quite unsure about being a wife or a mother, but you saw how happy you had made the three boys and realized how happy they made you in return. In the beginning, neither of them wanted you leaving the mansion much without either of them, but then Ranboo started to notice small and minor declines in your physical and mental health. This caused him to panic and study your symptoms for a few days straight, to the point where you didn't see him once and you were genuinely scared he had lost his canon lives to the point where you kept checking your right wrist constantly for the message confirming Ranboo's death. But thankfully you never got it. When he had figured out what was causing your health to be less than absolutely perfect, he had spoken to Tubbo about letting you out of your room more often and getting you the sunlight you needed. It took a little bit to convince him, but once the goat hybrid learned that you could, or even would, become a lot sicker, he decided to allow you to go outside without them, as long as you stayed within Snowchester. You met a man the first few days you were out, who wore white glasses with blue and red lenses, and a headset with a mic, although he ran away from you the second you introduced yourself as Ranboo and Tubbo's (platonic) wife. Foolish had quickly become your friend around the same time though, which caused Tubbo and Ranboo to be a little unsure because of how he made you laugh and smile, but they noticed how you always kept him at arm's length with friendship and almost physically. Sure you didn't mind too much when he gave you a friendly side hug or pat on the head etc, but you were never really the one to initiate the contact unless you had to. Thankfully he didn't mind your awkwardness around strangers, trust issues, or lack of social exposure, so Ranboo and Tubbo didn't have to threaten a literal god. After saying goodbye to Michael for the day and putting him down for his nap, you got dressed into something more appropriate for travelling the snowy lands that Tubbo owned. Ranboo had to go to a Syndicate meeting, and Tubbo was working more on some buildings around Snowchester, saying something about prepping things to attack Dream who apparently escaped from prison? Not sure could've been rumoured or could be true? You had no clue honestly. You trusted Ranboo and Tubbo to protect you. The crackling of a few pine branches caused you to lift your eyes from the icy water below to turn your head. Walking out of the bushes were three men and one woman, pushing their way through the branches decorated with freshly fallen snow. One of the men was your crown-wearing platonic husband, although dressed up in an outfit you had never seen before, although not too far off from his normal get-up. Ranboo had a long black cape with golden edges and a high collar, held up together by a golden chain. His vest was now a deep royal purple with an eye of ender pin clasped on his tie, and his pants were half purple half black with golden designs sewn in. Beside him was a short female with shoulder-length pink hair and nicely done dark purple and black makeup. Her outfit consisted of a thick and warm lavender sweater with dark purple pants. On her hip was an enchanted netherite sword with a diamond-encrusted handle. You were quick to recognize her as Niki Nihachu, the baker who had lived in L'Manberg, but you hadn't heard much of her since the Pogtopia war. Off to the side, was a man you recognized easily as you had only seen him a few days ago when Ranboo invited him to see Michael, Philza Minecraft. His outfit wasn't too different from what he used to wear when he was a resident in the country, except for the black and gold cape and a black mask covering the bottom of his face. Then... The sight of the final male was the one to make you visibly react. A tall and buff male with a golden encrusted netherite

chest plate and a velvet red cape with gold accents as well. There was a rather majestic crown on top of his long braided pink hair and his dark eyes were narrowed behind a set of cracked glasses... His gaze pointing directly at you. Technoblade. Giving a shaky gasp, you stood up from your spot on the edge of the dock and turned to face the visitors. "Where's Tubbo," Techno growled softly, watching as you visibly trembled under his gaze. "Techno, mate. You're scarin' the hell outta her." Phil put his hand on his middle son's shoulder before stepping in front of him, blocking him from your gaze. "Hey, (Y/n), can you tell us where Tubbo is? We just have to ask him some things." "I'm here." An almost unfamiliar voice came from beside you before a hand was placed on your shoulder. When you looked over, you saw the goat hybrid with the coldest look you had seen him wear yet. "(Y/n), please, head into the mansion." Without another glance at the piglin hybrid, you quickly scurried towards the wooden mansion, faintly hearing the worried buzzing noises of your enderman husband in the distance before you slammed the large door shut. You almost ran towards your's or Michael's room in the basement, but then realized if any of them saw you heading down there, Michael's safety could be compromised. So, you quietly sat down in the living room and curled up on the couch, trying to keep your breathing stable as you fought to keep your mind off of the fact that the man who had almost killed you was standing a few feet outside the door of your home. You pinched your eyes shut and wrapped your arms around yourself, trying your best to simulate the hugs you would usually receive from your platonic husbands after a nightmare or a panic attack. ".../n)." "../n)!" "...(Y/n)!" With a terrified gasp, you flung your arms above your head to shield yourself from any oncoming attacker but only felt a gentle touch on your knee. It took a few seconds to muster up your courage, but you slowly brought your arms down and opened your eyes to come face to face with Tubbo, who immediately sat beside you and wrapped his arms around your shaking frame. After an hour or so with your face buried into Tubbo's shoulder, you felt another pair of arms wrap around you, causing you to look up and see Ranboo burying his face into your hair, "I'm so sorry... So sorry... I didn't think they would come to Snowchester..." You murmured a small, "it's okay," to him as you sat up a bit to return the hug for a few moments. Tubbo got up, murmuring something about going to get you a snack and a glass of water, knowing you must've been hungry or thirsty from panicking. After a few moments, Ranboo let go of you and briefly explained that Phil had given him some potions to help Michael adapt to the overworld, and he needed to give them to him. He rested his forehead against yours affectionately for a few seconds before turning towards the bookshelf and walking down the set of hidden stairs after opening the secret door. Once he shut it, you shuddered and rubbed your arms to get rid of the cold chill that had suddenly washed over you. Frowning slightly, you looked around for the source of the sudden cold, only to freeze as you saw the door cracked open, allowing the snow and cold wind to slip in. Ranboo wouldn't have left the door open... "Sorry kid." A deep and growly voice came from behind you, causing you to spin around and come face to face with Technoblade. The tall tusked male watched your expression go from confusion to horror in less than seconds, "It's nothing personal. Really. I just got a favour to pay off." A scream of terror escaped your lips before everything went black. "Hey, Michael!" Ranboo crouched down to greet the small zombie piglin child as he held a few potions of varying colours in his long arms, he set them and a thermos filled with a hot drink down on the table. "I got some new drinks for you to try today! Philza made them a little extra sweeter than last time." The small child squealed and made small tippy tap noises with his

hooves against the quartz flooring before he sat on the chair. He watched as his tall father sorted through the bottles carefully before uncorking one of the light red ones. Before he could pick up the small pipette, there was an almost unearthly shriek that came from the top of the stairs. "(Y/n)!" Ranboo screamed, unintentionally startling Michael, but that wasn't his main concern as he sprinted out the door then teleporting up the stairs and pushing the bookshelf door with his sword drawn and gleaming with enchantments. In his peripheral vision, he saw Tubbo dash out of the kitchen with his axe drawn and bloodlust in his eyes. Glancing around, the only thing the two men spotted was moonlight and snow spilling through the open door. Tubbo ran out without a second thought and screamed your name at the top of his lungs as he spun around, searching for any sort of sign that would give away your location. Ranboo decided to start looking around the mansion, even though part of him grasped that you wouldn't have screamed without reason. "She's gone..." Tubbo whispered, standing in the doorway, the moonlight creating a dark shadow over his wide eyes. "Footprints are leading to and away from the house, but they disappear on the docks..." Ranboo stayed still, a violent growling noise bubbling up in his throat before escaping past his lips as both his eyes turned purple. He threw his head back and took a breath to scream all his anger out, but froze upon hearing sad whimpering. He turned his head and saw Michael standing at the top of the hidden stairs, whimpering and shaking quite violently. There was part of Ranboo that refused to move, but his brain seemed to flick onto autopilot as he walked over to the child and picked him up. "Sorry... Michael... Something happened..." "Mama?" "...Mama... Won't be home for a while..." "Wake up!" A voice growled before something sharply came in contact with your cheek, shaking you awake. Your eyes shot open and came into contact with... A smiley face? "Aha... Sleeping Beauty graces us with her gaze. It's about damn time." A harsh grip landed on your jaw, making you realize there was a dull throbbing pain in your head. "Huh... Dre... Dream..?" You whispered, barely recognizing the white mask that helped destroy your home and turn it into nothing but a crater. "W-What?" His mask was lifted up enough to the point where you could see his mouth curved up into a sadistic smile. "You, my darling pawn, are just the piece I needed to make life easier for me... I just need to raise the stakes enough for them to be... Well... Stakes. I'm sure you understand." You went to move your hand to slap the gloved hand away from your face, only to give a small whine of pain as you felt a tight pinching on your wrists, making you realize that they were shackled together and likely chained to a wall. "What are you talking about you psychop- Ah!" He tightened his grip on your face to the point where you knew there would eventually be dark bruising. "I don't think you're in a position to be calling the king any names, pawn." Screams and shrieks of pain bounced off of the blank stone walls as the two people standing outside of the door put their heads down with their eyes closed. "You still sure he's doing the right thing, George? Are you still sure... He's the good guy in this story?" "You know better than to question him, Nick." "Don't call me that."

(Y/n) (L/n) was slain by Dream using Nightmare. Life: 2/3 (Y/n) (L/n) suffocated while trying to fend off Dream. Life: 1/3

"He just took two of an innocent woman's three lives. Just to use her as a hostage to make Tubbo hand over the nukes and to force Ranboo to follow his orders... He's a stranger, George. This isn't Dream anymore... Don't be stupid." Sapnap lowered his right arm that he read the messages off of and looked in the direction of his former best friend. The screams of agony were almost haunting as they echoed through Snowchester as silence fell down upon the entire Dream SMP. Shock slipped through the veins of everyone who read the message that appeared on their right wrists. - "I'm gonna kill him..." "I'm going to activate the nukes..." - "Techno... What did you do." "I owed him a favour. What he does after that is none of my business." - "...Isn't that Tubbo and Ranboo's wife?" "Yeah... She was my friend..." - "Tubbo's definitely not happy about this..." - "Ah... Atta girl..." Dream murmured in a mock soothing voice as he gently dragged his knife threateningly along your cheek. "Y'know... You would look better... With a smile." He leaned closer to you, the drawn-on eyes of his mask staring into your dull and tear-filled eyes as a stinging pain came from the corner of your lips. "Sh, sh, Relax... They're just shallow cuts, they won't even leave a scar. I'm not a monster." Time had passed quickly, but also excruciatingly slowly. You had no clue how long you had been down here, or how long you had been dead in between respawns. Dream just didn't seem to be leaving you alone. "Now..." He flipped the switchblade closed and threw it in his pocket before tremours shook the earth below and around you. "What the fUCK?!" He growled deeply before the door slammed open. "How did they even find this place!?" The door was blown off its hinges with a loud bang, causing Dream to duck out of the way of the flying piece of scrap. Light flooded into the room as you shut your eyes tightly, your ears ringing from the explosion. Once your eyes got a little bit adjusted, you opened them and saw five figures in the newly widened doorway. "Let's just say... It was an anonymous tip." "Sapnap?! You dare betray me?!" The black-haired male fell silent as he turned around and walked out, putting his hand on the shoulder of the tallest silhouette in the doorway as he walked by. Once you got completely used to the new light, you began to recognize the figures. Tommy, Tubbo, Foolish, and Ranboo. Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo immediately ran forward and started a barrage of attacks on the masked psychopath while Foolish ran over and began to work on the chains binding you to the chair. After getting them off of you, he silently picked you up as you turned your head to look at the blond, brunet and monochrome boys. Dream's mask got knocked off and was thrown across the room as he was pinned below a growling Ranboo, whose skin looked almost purely black from your angle. Tommy was off to the side, rummaging through Dream's equipment, he already got his revenge when Dream was put into prison, this was Ranboo and Tubbo's revenge now.

"̷̛̲̪͝Ỳ̵̧̖͒̉o̸̟̔̆û̶̩̟̍͊'̸̧̺̎̉ṟ̷̰͘ế̴͍̰̎ ̶̤͆̎̒g̶̭̋̇o̸͍̐͑i̸̼̟̾ņ̷͊̈́̈́ĝ̷̰̤̈́ ̵̘̉t̵͖͠ȯ̸͎ ̴͎̐̈́r̸̰͙̾̑͝e̸͚͌͑g̴̛̗̦͑ř̷̳̳̱e̵̲̿̕ṫ̶̨͓͗ ̷̢͊E̷̬̪͒͊͂V̷̟̒͝Ë̸̜R̷͐̄̏ͅ ̶̲̟̤͗͋t̴̝̎o̵̖̐ư̴̞̾̇c̶̡̙̐h̵̹̜̣̒͂̂į̴̙̤͠n̴̤̼̻̅̚ǧ̵̹̙̌͜ ̵̥̞̏m̶̱̳̦͗̌y̴̱̮͒̒̄ ̶̮̈͑͆f̸͉̽̄à̵̹͠m̵͕̓̅͋í̸͇̩͔̿l̷̰̫̳͗͑y̸̡͌̊́.̶͓̇͝"̸̡͆ ("You're going to regret EVER touching my family.") Ranboo hissed lowly before he and Tubbo began applying weight to the sword pressed against the speedrunner's chest. You shut your eyes tightly for a moment before you felt a bottle press into your hands, causing you to re-open your eyes to see Foolish trying to hand you a healing potion. You eagerly took a small sip from it, feeling the small slices on your cheeks form back together and the pain from the bruises around your neck vanishing completely.

Dream was slain by Ranboo and Tubbo using Ranord

There was a clattering noise before two sets of footsteps running in your direction. Slowly tilting your head in their direction, you saw Tubbo with dark bags under his eyes and Ranboo with plenty more scars on his cheeks from tears. You were pulled from Foolish's arms and brought down to sitting on Tubbo's and Ranboo's laps, their arms completely wrapped around you. The goat hybrid was nuzzled under your chin while the enderman's face was buried in your hair. "We should have come sooner..." "We shouldn't have even left you alone in the mansion..." "I'm sorry... I should have never left the manor..."

[the-insomniac-emporium]

RE8 Ladies + Love Languages

While this isn't terribly long per character, I am putting it under a read-more for the combined length. Some characters have more details than others, partially due to how much I've written for them (and therefore had time to think about how they show their affections). For once the contents are not in alphabetical order. Crazy, right? PS there's a very, very brief implication of NSFW in Daniela's section.

Features the entire Dimitrescu family, Mother Miranda, Donna Beneviento, and as a lil bonus Ava.

Cassandra Dimitrescu:

Primary Love Language: Physical touch

Secondary Love Language: Acts of Service

Examples: Constantly wants to be touching some part of her lover, even if she sometimes pretends otherwise, from hand holding to making them sit in her lap. So goddamn touch starved. Preferably sleeps with her lover sprawled out on top of her, weighing her down, soothed by the constant pressure. Seriously, this woman needs someone to hold her as close as possible, running their fingers through her hair, pressing soft little kisses along her neck + shoulder. And then repeat. Every single day. For life.

Treating her lover’s wounds, or bringing them tea to soothe their nightmares, or monitoring their health when they're sick (see: Bound Blood + We Don’t Talk About That). Cassandra hates feeling like she owes someone, and isn’t fond of others owing her (because when they pay her back, she might end up owing them “the difference”). When it comes to love, however, all debts feel paid as soon as they are incurred. She does things for her beloved because she cares for them, expecting nothing in return. Sure, she’ll complain about the effort, but it doesn’t really bother her, and she truly hopes her lover knows that.

Mother Miranda:

Primary Love Language: Acts of Service

Secondary Love Language: Gift Giving

Examples: Despite the decades she has spent as a Goddess, commanding the willing masses, Miranda doesn’t put much emphasis on words. Instead, she values actions above all else. She doesn't care if someone says that they are devoted to her, she wants to see the effects of that devotion. In turn, she much prefers to show her affection rather than voice it, even if it leaves her lover less sure of her feelings. One must keep in mind that she is the leader of an entire region, and the fact that she chooses to personally take care of something for you means a hell of a lot. Even if it’s just making you a cup of tea whenever she brews some for herself, or something as big as setting up a studio for you and your personal projects, or simply ensuring that your favorite meals are added to the rotation.

Similar, in some aspects, to her preference to showcase her love rather than announce it, Miranda takes pride in her ability to select gifts. She remembers just about everything you ever tell her, easily memorizing things you express interest in. Though she won’t make a big deal out of it, you’ll often find little gifts from her lying around, casual reminders of how much of her attention is devoted to you.

Daniela Dimitrescu:

Primary Love Language: Words of Affirmation

Secondary Love Language: Physical Touch

Examples: What can she say, she loves to be worshipped. Having someone look at her with eyes full of adoration, one hand cupping her cheek, as they list a thousand reasons why they love her? That’s all she wants. Or sitting with her lover’s head in her lap, listening to them recite poetry that reminds them of her, while she runs her fingers through their hair. Ooh, or hearing them cry out her name like something holy as she all but buries her head between their legs. But don’t worry, she’s just as eager to return the favor, singing soft praises dedicated to her beloved. Admittedly, her compliments are sometimes a tad roundabout (so to speak).

“Mmm,” she’ll hum, “I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Living in a castle, my every need catered to, endless life, and, of course, the most darling little pet I could ever ask for. What more could I want?” Then she’ll pull her lover close, a kiss against their pulse point to claim them as her own. It’s impossible for her to determine her favorite place to touch her lover. There are little spots that elicit sweet sounds from them, then there are places where their warmth is a tad fiercer than normal, pure bliss against her own freezing skin. Wherever she touches them, it’s a silent declaration of her love.

Bela Dimitrescu:

Primary Love Language: Quality Time

Secondary Love Language: Words of Affirmation

Examples: It doesn’t matter what she does with her lover, as long as they are together, in the same room if not actively pressed against each other. Any hobby of theirs is one that she’ll instantly take interest in. An academic at heart, she loves to learn, regardless of the subject, and takes endless delight in learning from those close to her. There’s something incredible about the feeling she gets when she gets a chance to show her lover how much she remembers, and she sees that spark of joy in their eyes.

Considering her fondness for classical literature, it’s no surprise that she adores using language to convey the depths of her affection. Whether she’s quoting Sappho or Shakespeare, she often relies on dead poets to express herself. In turn, she cannot even begin to describe the feeling she gets when her lover returns the gesture, especially if they go so far as to write something original for her. More than once she’s tried to craft her own poetry, but has found herself lacking (at least to her own standards). One thing she enjoys is memorizing poetry written by someone from her lover’s home country, assuming that they’re not from Romania.

Alcina Dimitrescu:

Primary Love Language: Gift Giving/Physical Touch

Secondary Love Language: Quality Time

Examples: Considering the era in which she was born, it’s not terribly surprising that Alcina’s affection often manifests in less obvious ways. A hand on her lover’s back, guiding them along, or letting her knee touch theirs when they sit next to each other, or gently reaching out to give one of their hands a soft pat during quiet conversations. On top of that, she gives out gifts almost constantly. Oh, her lover very briefly mentioned enjoying a local artist? Well, Alcina will be certain to purchase several (or most) of their recent work. Did her beloved muse out loud about not having much jewelry? That won’t do! She’ll get them a large assortment, including plenty that bear the crest of House Dimitrescu. Everyone will know who her lover is, if only for the way that they are adorned with her loveliest finery.

Much like her eldest daughter (who likely takes after her mother), Alcina also enjoys the barest of interactions with her darling. With the endless stretch that is her potential lifespan, she knows that she has all the time in the world to learn new skills, or experience all that the village has to offer. Nothing warms her heart quite like the idea of getting to enjoy those things with the people that matter most to her- namely her partner and her children.

Donna Beneviento:

Primary Love Language: Quality Time

Secondary Love Language: Gift Giving

Examples: An odd mix of shy and calculating, Donna Beneviento is not one to rely on words, nor does she often take grand actions where others may observe. Instead, she works (and weaves) within the shadows. When it comes to love, she prefers to let her priorities reveal her feelings. Day after day, she chooses to spend time with her partner, regardless of the activity. If they ask for her company, she gives it without hesitation. She invites them to join her in the garden, or give input on her latest creations, and ensures that they are readily involved in just about every aspect of her life.

Being as talented as she is with crafting (both the overall art of doll-making and the somewhat related ability to sew all sorts of clothing), ‘tis not surprising that she also turns to gifts to express herself. From knitting hats in winter to soft blankets when her partner is sick, she provides for them in the easiest way she knows how.

Avaskian Caldwell:

Primary Love Language: Physical Touch/Words of Affirmation

Secondary Love Language: Quality Time

Examples: Arguably the most touch-starved person ever to exist, xer only possible rival being Cassandra. Struggles to strike a balance between hating being touched unexpectedly and wanting constant physical attention. Will give affectionate shoulder/back pats, loves forehead kisses/bumps, literally cannot sleep without cuddling someone/something (such as a stuffed animal). At the same time, a lifetime of severe anxiety has made it so that xe often relies on verbal encouragement from others to feel good/motivate xerself. Xe craves compliments, and defaults to poetry as a way of expressing love for others. One might think that being selectively mute might put a damper on this. However, if anything, it just furthers the value of xer speech. You know that xe cares about you if xe not only writes you poetry, but reads it aloud for you.

In true introvert/anxiety-riddled-bean fashion, Ava is also more than content to just chill with loved ones. Xe grew up in an admittedly fucked up family, but some of xer happiest childhood memories are of xerself sitting with xer brother, watching while he played through videogame after videogame, or sitting together on the big couch and reading. Years later, xe has a strong instinct to want to recreate those moments with xer new (slightly less fucked up) family.

[madame-wilsonn]

I’ll always have you

Summary: 3 times Tommy saved Ruby and the one time she saved him

A/N: well finally!! This took me so long to write but I just...couldn’t not write it! Again, we’ve talked about it briefly with @retromafia but that little ask I sent you was enough to keep my mind busy with that idea and I couldn’t let go so I had to write it! Now, I only wanted to write the last part but i love the concept of 3+1 fics so I mixed that in too! I’m low key proud of myself, not sure if it’s good but I like it lol so I hope you’ll like it too!! 🤍✨ (Ps. There is no reader in this one and a quick mention of Lizzie)

Warnings: SEASON 5 spoilers, attempted suicide, angst, my English, it’s over 1am so probably typos...

1.

Tommy sighed again, his eyes glued to the dark ceiling. Tonight, like most nights, he couldn’t sleep.

No matter how tired he was, no matter how much he wanted to, his brain stayed wide awake.

But he was used to it, nights filled with insomnia were a habit by now. When was the last time he even got to sleep properly? Without tossing and turning, without hearing shovels in the wall, without all of this.

He couldn’t remember. He probably never did.

Lizzie was asleep next to him. She, too, was exhausted. She had to wake to wake up every three or four hours to find Ruby, their newborn daughter.

The only good thing about Tommy’s sleep troubles was probably that he got stay with them, to witness it. Ruby always seemed to fall asleep on her mother’s chest before finishing to eat which they always found funny. It also meant Tommy was there for her when it was hard, when it was painful and when both baby and mother were exhausted. He felt like his job was more than just businesses and workers and the parliament, it was this too. And it was probably the best job life could offer.

A high pitched cry erupted in the quiet, sleepy house, making Tommy rub his face tiredly as Lizzie groaned.

“Not again...just fed her...” she mumbled.

He put a hand on her shoulder when she got ready to sit up.

“I’ll go check, it’s probably something bothering her.”

Tommy rose from the bed, making his way to the adjacent nursery. The small bed was in the center of the room, an adorable mobile of butterflies over it, the white curtains were drawn but still let the moonlight in. There was a rocking chair in the corner, some stuffed animals and books in various places as well as a baby-changing table against one of the walls.

Ruby was stirring around, angry cries escaping her tiny mouth. Tommy bent over, his arms outstretched to pick up his daughter.

He cradled her close to his chest, rocking and shushing her softly. He walked closer to the chair, a place Ruby seemed to love and gently sat down. Tommy then put a hand behind her head to lay her down in his arms. This way, he could look at her face. She wasn’t crying anymore, she was just gazing at him, mesmerized by his face. Her big, curious eyes were analyzing his features, her hands trying to reach to touch his cheeks.

“What’s been bothering you, love, hm?”

Ruby kept staring.

“Did you have a nightmare? A scary nightmare?”

A small blabber left her lips and Tommy smiled softly. His index trailed over her cheek as he brought his face closer to hers.

“What could scare such a lovely thing as you, eh?”

He brought her back against his chest, letting her small body rest on his torso, a hand on her back. He rocked the chair slowly, feeling Ruby calming down agains him as she was being held. It didn’t take more than five minutes to get her back to sleep but Tommy didn’t move. Mostly because he didn’t want to bother his daughter but also because he felt comfortable enough to sit back and just...rest.

The exhaustion quickly overtook his body and he allowed himself to close his eyes for a few minutes but before that, he mumbled to Ruby (and to himself)

“You don’t have to worry about anything, love. Nothing will harm my little girl, not as long as you have me.”

2.

Ruby Shelby, much like her father, loved going horseback riding. She found horses very pleasant, loyal and very beautiful. So when Tommy invited her to come with him this afternoon, she happily agreed and ran to Frances to ask her if she could braid her hair.

The sun was high in the sky when they left, despite being hidden by some clouds. It was a rather cold afternoon so Ruby put on her wool coat and her pretty white gloves as she joined her father in the parlor.

He took her to the stables where David, the stable boy got Dangerous ready for them. Ruby was still to young to ride a horse all by herself so she usually climbed with her dad, not that she was complaining. Tommy picked up Ruby, helping her sit properly on the horse then he joined her with a natural ease.

They left off slowly, Arrow house becoming smaller and smaller in the distance as the father and daughter (more the daughter than the father) chatted happily away.

Ruby told him all about the piano lessons she had been taking and that she loved. She was now able to play a bit of “twinkle twinkle little star” which, according to her teacher, was very impressive. Tommy made her promise she’d play him some of it once they’d get home.

The pair finally decided to stop once they found a little stream and sat for a break. A fire was quickly lit on and mint leaves generously given as Dangerous was enjoying some time to rest. Ruby found interest in a little squirrel in the trees and desperately tried to woo him over with various...approaches. Tommy watched the scene with a comic interest and tried to help his daughter but the squirrel didn’t seem very receptive to the humans under the tree.

Ruby quickly got bored of the squirrel’s lack of interest and decided to ask her father about all the trees around them.

“And what’s this one?”

Tommy looked over where she was pointing and took a second before answering.

“It’s an oak”

She nodded and showed him another one.

“What about the one over there?”

“This one is a pine tree”

“It looks like a Christmas tree!” She shouted happily which earned her a smile from her father.

When they decided to leave, Ruby asked if she could ride the horse alone, like they did when they trained and Tommy indulged her but only once they came out of the forest. He made sure she was sitting well and started walking as the horse followed. The little girl was giggling gleefully, trying to keep her balance.

After a while, they could see the house again, the nice walk was almost over when in the distance, a loud bang was heard.

The horse, startled, let out a frightened neigh as he lift his front legs up. Ruby who didn’t have the experience nor the strength to hold the mount down was thrown off of it.

Tommy watched the action in some sort of slow motion, his brain sending him panicked signals as he realized that if she fell from such height, she’d probably break her leg if not worse. He rushed to the side, his arms outstretched and right before his daughter could touch the ground, he caught her.

He wrapped his arms around her protectively, crouching on the earth as the horse ran away. But Tommy didn’t care for now. Ruby grew pale, fear written in all her feature, her small heart pounding in her chest. She hid in her father’s arms again as he tried to calm her down.

“It’s alright, love. The horse just got scared, they didn’t mean it, it’s okay ”

He ran a soothing hand up and down her back as her grip tightened around him. Tommy made sure she wasn’t hurt anywhere and picked her up.

“Let’s go home, alright? We’ll ask Frances to make you some hot cocoa, yeah?”

Ruby nodded, her head nuzzled in his neck.

“Can I get some cookies as well?” she asked in a small voice

“Of course, love, you can have all the cookies you want.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Ruby asked:

“Dad? Can you promise to always stay with me when we take the horse?”

Tommy felt his heart grow warmer in his chest and he smiled.

“I promise. I’ll always be with you.”

3.

Ruby jumped for the hundredth time as thunder rumbled in the sky. She put her blanket over her head to cover her face, terrified as she saw the scary tree monster’s shadow on her ceiling. She hated thunder. It made too much noise and it kept her awake. The rain hitting the windows was too loud and it seemed like they would break under the pressure. The wind was whistling in the air, like some evil witch singing before coming to get her if she let down her guard,

She tried to tell herself funny and happy stories but every time, the angry sky would make her heart stop.

Finally, after debating with herself for a while, little Ruby decided to be brave and push the covers away. She got up from her bed without making a sound as to not attract the evil with or the scary tree monster and she walked out of her room, her hand tightly grasping Fuzzy the bear’s soft one.

Her initial idea was to go to her parents’ room and ask if she could stay with them for a bit but as she reached their bedroom, she thought she might find her dad in his office. She reached the room as fast as her small feet would allow and felt a sense of relief when she saw light seeping under the closed door. She pushed it open slowly, holding onto her bear. Ruby watched her father silently, enjoying the strong and comforting aura he displayed, helping her forget about the terrible weather.

“Ruby? What are you doing here, love?”

The little girl moved forward, entering the office. She stared at her bear and quietly mumbled “I’m scared of the thunder...can’t sleep.”

Tommy sighed, rubbed his eyes tiredly and, with a gesture of his hand, told her to come closer. Ruby joined her father behind his desk as he took her hand to put her on his lap.

“Why don’t you stay here while I finish this? Would this help?”

She nodded eagerly, her head comfortably set on her daddy’s chest.

Tommy didn’t mind her, she was a smart girl and she knew not to move around too much or try to speak to him when he worked. And he could sense her distress, what kind of father would he be if he turned her down?

He soothingly rubbed her back with his left hand as he kept revising the documents he needed. Every time another strike of thunder would occur, Tommy gently squeezed Ruby’s shoulder as she hid further into his chest.

The little girl was quiet, feeling safe and protected in her daddy’s arms and soon enough, the rumbling of the thunder was a faint noise well covered by the soft, regular thumping of Tommy’s heart.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly and yawned, clutching her bear to her chest as she closed her eyes to fall into a peaceful slumber.

4.

He screamed in the foggy field, the harsh barrel of his gun pressed against his temple. He screamed. He screamed out of rage, out of despair, of madness, he screamed.

Grace was there, Dangerous was there too. They were free, free from him and all the war and all the blood he carried with him...and he wanted to be free too.

Ruby opened her eyes as the timid light passed through the curtains on the windows. Frances wasn’t here so it meant she could still sleep a bit more if she wanted but...she didn’t. No, she wasn’t sleepy anymore, she wanted a glass of milk. However she knew she wasn’t tall enough to reach the milk or grown up enough to use fire to heat it. Maybe she could wake up her mommy? Or her daddy? He didn’t come kiss her goodnight yesterday...

At the same moment, Ruby heard the familiar sound of tires on gravel, she jumped from her bed, running to look at the window. There he was! Her daddy came back! And he brought uncle Arthur!

Without even thinking, she put on her pretty slippers and ran (quietly) downstairs to greet them.

However, when she arrived in the parlor, she found it empty. Disappointed, little Ruby was about to walk back to her room when she heard the car start again. She rushed to the hall right in time to catch a glimpse of her uncle leaving and her dad, walking towards the field near the house. Why wasn’t he coming inside? Maybe he needed to take a walk? Her mommy told her that sometimes, dads had to walk outside. She said it helped them think better so they wouldn’t scream at home. Ruby hated when her dad screamed, it was scary. But her dad never screamed at her, only on the phone sometimes when he talked with stubborn men.

With her, he always agreed to take her see the horses in the stables and always kissed her on the cheek when she’d make him a pretty drawing.

The cold hit her little body as she ran through the gravel to the field but she didn’t mind, it was a funny feeling. Like walking through a vanilla ice cream. Soon enough, her feet hit the moist earth as Ruby followed her father. But as he kept walking further from her, not acknowledging her presence, she called for him.

“Come, Tommy.” Grace said “We could be free...together”

His fingers were frozen around the gun. It was his only way out. He had lost, there was no point in fighting anymore. He just had to press the trigger and...

“Daddy!” a familiar voice cried

He couldn’t find the source of the high-pitched voice but it was disturbing enough for him to loosen up his grip on the gun.

“It’s time, Tom. You have to do it now”

But Grace’s voice felt far away, her presence was slowly fading as Tommy looked around for the sweet voice he had heard.

He knew it from somewhere...where had he heard it? Was it in a dream? No, no it felt more real...maybe a memory? Someone he knew?

“Daddy!” it called again.

The gun slipped from the man’s hand right in time as Ruby’s little arm wrapped themselves against his legs. He fell down to his knees, the realization slowly washing over him and before he could even register what was happening, he embraced his daughter.

“I kept calling, you didn’t hear me, dad”

He closed his eyes, tightening his grasp on her small body, his heart heavy in his chest and his hands shaking.

What would’ve happened if he had pulled that trigger?

The thought of his innocent little Ruby finding his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood made his stomach turn.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, love.” His voice broke as tears began spilling from his eyes.

In the most tender way, Ruby brought her hands to her father’s cheeks to look at him.

“Why are you crying, dad?”

The ghost of a smile stretched Tommy’s lips as he tried to show a reassuring face to his daughter who was frowning worryingly.

“Daddy just missed you a lot.”

The answer seemed to convince the five years old as she hugged her father again, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

“I missed you too, dad” she whispered

Tommy sighed, looking up at the grey sky as he kept Ruby close to him. He quickly noticed she wasn’t wearing her coat so he took off his to put it around her body.

He had no idea what his daughter was doing outside of her bedroom, at 7am but for now it didn’t matter. He picked her up, telling her it was time to go home. As they walked back, the girl, happy to have found her father after not seeing him for over a day began chatting about what he had missed, as if nothing had happened.

“Charlie played the violin at my tea party and Frances baked cookies. Oh and I had a dream and I was a princess. I want to be a princess, daddy. So I can have my own castle and a lot of pretty dresses”

He hummed in acknowledgment as she spoke but he was only listening to half of her long and rather confusing speech.

He was going to give up all of this.

There was more to business and money and power. There was this too. There was the sheer innocence of his daughter, the feeling of her hair against his cheek, the warmth and softness of her hands. Everything about her was love, delicacy and gentleness.

How was it possible? How did someone who was half of him turn out to be kind and pure? How could she still love him the way she did even when he was bad and evil and cold and everything a five year old shouldn’t have to deal with? He didn’t deserve all of this, he didn’t deserve to be loved as genuinely as she loved him and yet, he was ready to throw it all away.

“And you, daddy, what did you do?” She asked, her voice muffled by the coat around her.

Tommy caressed her head and, ignoring the terrible feeling of the memories rushing back, he replied, a lump in his throat:

“I went to buy my little princess a big castle but they didn’t have any at the shop so they told me to come back another day.”

She giggled, nuzzling her head in his neck as she whispered:

“It’s alright, daddy, you don’t have to find me a castle for now. That way, I get to stay here with you.”

[incorrectnessduskwood]

despicable

A/N: Hey, there, people! How are you? I was supposed to have this out earlier this week but I just kinda forgot (you can blame college and work for that), but here it is! I hope you'll enjoy it and that it'll break your heart in the best possible way (like it did mine). I also have a few ideas for a part 2, so let me know if you would like to read it. Good reading! (ps. I recommend listening to despicable by grandson. It's the song that gave me the idea for this story)

Pairing: Jake x MC

Word Count: 3.4k

Warnings: angst, not a happy ending, break up, Richy is dead (I'm so sorry), PTSD, trauma

Watching her was one of the things Jake most enjoyed; she always seemed to be in her own element, no matter where or who she was talking to. She made friends with everyone, she was gentle with each person she came across, and she was comfortable anywhere she found herself in. When talking to her, she made you feel like the most important person in the world; she really looked at you, she saw you, she listened to everything you said, and she was honest while still being considerate of your feelings. She didn’t say anything to hurt anyone, no matter how bad that person had been to her or others.

Jake admired her for that and for so much more. She had gone through so much and still managed to be a good person; all the violence and pain and death she had seen and gone through hadn’t been enough to turn her bitter, cold, angry.

Still, he could see the tightness in her smiles sometimes. How she would flinch whenever someone touched her or spoke louder; how her eyes would search for possible way-outs in case she needed it. It was all very subtle and, if you didn’t know her well enough, you wouldn’t see the marks Hannah’s kidnapping, Richy’s death and the time she spent locked with the kidnapper had left on her, but they were there: there were well hidden dark bags under her eyes from sleepless nights or nights in which she was plagued by nightmares, the scars were smartly covered by clothing and the subject was never brought up or subtly escaped from.

He knew the others had their own problems too; Hannah had confided in him that she couldn’t be in the dark or alone, though she couldn’t handle being touched by anyone yet. They had all taken turns staying with her, him and Lilly spending most of the nights with her, just trying to distract her or just being there to keep her company.

MC had told him that Jessica had nightmares about her attack and that she wasn’t able to be alone or leave her house for long periods; she was staying with Phil and would spend most of the night at the Aurora with him until they would both go home. Their relationship had gotten better throughout the months, enough that Jessy would spend most of her time with her brother.

Lilly had become paranoid about Hannah and Jake. She wanted to know where they were every hour, calling them if it took them longer than five minutes to text her back. She would randomly show up at their houses during the week, saying she just wanted to make sure they were both still there, sometimes not believing their texts.

Thomas had become equally paranoid, always trying to be with Hannah, asking her all the time how she was, if she needed anything, what he could do for her. Jake could see he wanted to be close to Hannah, that he wanted to be there and wanted to help, but he was crowding her and Hannah could barely look at him and wouldn’t talk to him, let alone let him touch her.

Cleo and Dan seemed to be the ones dealing better with everything. Dan had gotten out of the wheelchair but he had a limp when he walked, though no one mentioned it. He still drank a lot, mostly hidden, but Jake could see the signs pretty well. MC had had a long talk with Dan a couple of weeks after Hannah was found, tried to reason with him for him to stop drinking, and he had promised he would try—Jake wasn’t sure how much of the promise he was keeping but he didn’t say anything. Cleo wanted to take care of everyone, so she would bake and cook and would bring food for everyone every other day. She had gone back to her mom’s house—for a little time, she had said—and gotten more involved in the Gates of Hope, even seeming to get more open about religion.

Jake couldn’t say he was doing much better. He tried to be strong for the others, especially for his sisters and MC; he was the one that kept MC company during the night, he was the one that woke her up from her nightmares, that listened to her cry through the bathroom door because she didn’t want to let him know in how much pain she was, even though they both knew he could hear her. He made sure she was still taking care of herself and tried to be a safe harbour for her, even if he didn’t feel that way himself.

He wanted to be there for Hannah and Lilly as well, especially after hiding the truth for so long. And they were in bad shape, they were suffering, and he understood them; the three of them knew each other’s pain pretty well.

So he tried to be there for them, for MC, and even the others. Being far away and not being directly attacked by the kidnapper, he thought of himself as lucky; he should be okay. His sister was okay, even if traumatized. He hadn’t gotten caught by the government and even managed to get a new identity (thanks to MC, though he had no idea how she had managed it) and he was able to be with the people he loved. So, why did he still have a bad feeling? Why was there still pain in his heart whenever he looked at them?

Because he knew he was putting everyone at risk. He knew there were still people after him, just waiting for one tiny mistake to come and take him away. And hadn’t Jake always said getting attached was a mistake? A weakness? Why had he done it then? Why was he still here?

Watching her, Jake wasn’t sure what was the right thing to do. He still felt like he was putting everyone in danger just by being there. He could still be found and he was sure everyone would suffer the consequences, even if they weren’t guilty. And Jake would hate himself if anything happened to any of them, especially to MC.

But she was always saying she needed him, that they had spent so much time apart and now they could finally be with each other, that he was safe, that they were all safe now; he didn’t have to run anymore. But didn’t he? How sure could he be that he wasn’t putting anyone in danger? That there weren’t people coming after him right now?

The letter tucked in his breast pocket weighed heavily, with all the words he wanted to say but couldn’t; with the goodbye and the apologies he wasn’t brave enough to tell to her face. So he had written them all and he would leave it to her as an explanation. Even if it was the hardest thing he was ever going to do, even if it was the most painful thing he ever had to do, he had to. To protect her.

Jake knew leaving would make her suffer and he never wanted to hurt her, but he was trying to save her from a more hurtful future if he stayed. That was what honourable men did, right? They did the right thing, they protected the ones they love even if it hurt.

Their eyes crossed from opposite sides of the room and MC smiled at him, the corners of her wrinkling and making her look younger; not old enough to have gone through so much tragedy and pain. Jake smiled back at her, though he was sure it didn’t look like much of a smile. She seemed to have noticed it too, tilting her head to the side and mouthing, Are you okay?

He nodded, trying to wave her concern off, even as his heart squeezed painfully in his chest and tears threatened to build in his eyes.

She seemed to accept it, mouthing Okay before smiling again and going back to her conversation. Jake knew he had to do it soon or he would lose his courage, which was already wavering. It seemed as if, every time he decided to finally leave, she would smile at him, place a soft kiss on his cheek or say she loved him, as if she knew there was something wrong, and Jake would give up.

He had spent days watching her sleep, arguing with himself that he should just do it, that he should do the right thing sooner rather than later and avoid more pain for the both of them. But he could never make it past the door. He would stand there, his hand on the handle, and he wouldn’t have any strength left to turn it open. His fingers would freeze around it and he couldn’t do anything; he could still see MC from the door, her face usually turned towards the door so she could see everything if she opened her eyes, and Jake couldn’t shake himself away from looking at her. How could he abandon her when she looked so peaceful, so beautiful, so vulnerable?

And so he always went back to the bedroom, sitting by her side and spending the rest of the night just watching her, his hand on top of hers. Sometimes she would wake up from a nightmare and he would take care of her, try to calm her down. He would pretend it didn’t break his heart to see her in so much pain and that he thought of leaving her, of taking away one more person she loves and putting her through more pain, even if it was for her own good.

Jake wondered if this wouldn’t be the best time to leave. MC was surrounded by people she cared about and that cared for her too. They would be with her when she noticed he was gone and would take care of her; they wouldn’t let anything happen to her nor let her do anything stupid, like going after him. He could ask Lilly to keep an eye on her and, once she noticed Jake was gone, she would understand his true meaning; thankfully, the two of them were getting along pretty well and he was sure Lilly would do her best to take care of MC.

He just had to figure out how to do it. He had to leave the letter somewhere she would find or ask someone to give it to her. But who? Everyone would ask what it was about and why he couldn’t give it to her himself. And Jake wouldn’t be able to explain; they wouldn’t let him leave until he talked to her and that was exactly what he didn’t want.

Looking around the room, he found Dan leaning heavily on a wall close to MC, his fingers closed around a whiskey glass as he watched the people around him. Dan would be the perfect choice; he wouldn’t ask much because he didn’t really care about Jake’s motives but, since the favour was for MC, he would do it for her.

On his way to Dan, Jake stopped behind MC, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. After tensing for a few seconds, her shoulders relaxed again and she placed her hands over his and leaned her head on his, still talking to the girl in front of her—what was her name again? Luna? Sylvie? Didn't matter anyway.

He waited until they stopped talking, the girl walking away after nodding at him and MC turning in his arms, smiling at him so brightly and happy that it hurt.

“Hey, handsome.”

“Hey, beautiful,” he placed a soft kiss on her lips, wishing he never had to let go.

“Have you been enjoying yourself or just lurking around and watching people?”

“I don’t lurk around.” MC raised a brow, the right corner of her lips quirked up. “Okay, maybe a little. But only because I don’t know the majority of people here.”

“I don’t either but that’s the point. This is for us to get to know the city and its people more.”

“I would rather be with you.” Jake pressed quick kisses all over her face, making MC laugh and squirm in his arms.

“Me too, but we’ll be together later.” She kissed his cheek and Jake’s eyes started to well up, knowing there wouldn’t be a later. “Go talk to someone, okay? Please?”

Jake sighed, his heart squeezing tightly inside his chest. “Okay.” He gave her a long kiss, hugging her closer and tighter, trying to commit the feeling of her in his arms in his memory before letting her go. “I love you.”

MC smiled at him, brushing a strand of hair from his face, her fingers softly caressing his temple. “I love you too. Now go be social.”

She smiled again as he walked towards Dan, each step getting harder and harder, his heart just telling him to let the idea go, to stay with her, damn the consequences.

He sighed as he stopped by Dan’s side, turning to see MC walk to Jessy and Thomas, starting a conversation right away.

“So, what are you lying about to her?” Jake turned to Dan with wide eyes. He opened his mouth to answer but Dan cut him off, “Oh, please. It’s so obvious. The hug, the kiss and the kicked puppy look when you walked away from her? I’m surprised she didn’t notice it.”

Jake licked his lips and exhaled heavily as he took the letter from his pocket. “I need you to give MC this.”

Dan took the envelope, turning it from one side to the other. “Why?”

“Because it’ll explain everything. I can’t stay any longer and I can’t take the risk of her convincing me to stay. I can’t do that to her.”

“Do what?”

“Put her in danger!” A couple of people looked at them and Jake felt his cheeks getting hot, lowering his eyes to avoid looking at anyone. He lowered his voice, “The longer I stay in the same place, the longer I stay with her makes it easy for the government to find me and I can’t risk it. I can’t do that to her. Not anymore.”

Dan stayed quiet, just looking down at the envelope. Jake wasn’t sure what reaction he was expecting from him, but he didn’t think it would be complete silence. Maybe Dan calling him stupid or just saying ‘whatever' or even just telling him to bugger off and do it himself.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Dan spoke again, “You know you’re doing the wrong thing, right?” Jake raised his brows. “Leaving’s not going to keep her safe. I mean, have you met her? She’s going to go after you until she or they find you or until they find her. And she’s not going to give up either way. Not the MC I know.”

Jake sighed, looking back at her. He knew Dan wasn’t wrong. MC was very stubborn and, if she really wanted to, she would find him. Her life goal would be to find him and possibly murder him for leaving once she found him. Still, he had to try it. Try to protect her, to give her a chance at a normal life, to be happy and not have anything holding her back.

“I know she won’t give up but I can try to be as far away as possible before she decides to come after me. And, hopefully, the government will be so focused on me that they won’t care about her, anymore. They won’t even think there’s someone they can go after to find me.”

Dan shrugged, putting the envelope in his pocket. “Okay. I’ll give her the letter when she starts to wonder where you are. Which won’t take long if I know her well enough.”

“Thank you, Dan. Can you distract her for a while? Just until I can be somewhat away.”

“Yeah, sure.” He stood up straight, wincing when he placed his left leg on the floor. “Good luck.”

Dan walked away without another word and Jake watched him for a few seconds before making his way to Lilly.

His footsteps must have caught her attention, because she raised her head and smiled at him, pocketing her phone. “Hey, how are you?”

Jake tried to smile but he just couldn’t do it, so he settled for a shrug. “Fine, just tired. Can you do me a favour?” Lilly nodded. “I-I need to make some phone calls. Can you keep an eye on MC for me?”

Lilly frowned, looking at MC and then back to him, as if not understanding him. “Of course. Are you sure everything’s okay? You don’t look good.”

“Yes, everything is fine.” He placed a soft kiss on her temple, squeezing her shoulder caringly. He knew this would only make Lilly more suspicious but he didn’t care; it was the last he would see of her. “See you later, Lilly.”

He walked away, feeling Lilly’s stare on his back. Now that he was finally doing it, it hurt so much more than he thought it would, but he had to keep going. He thought about how it was for MC’s safety that he had to go. And that everything would be okay. Even if it was hard. Even if it broke his heart. Even if he knew he would never be happy again.

She would be safe and that was enough.

**

Hello, MC.

By now, you must know something is wrong. You are probably wondering where I am or what is the meaning of this letter.

Before saying anything, I want to tell you how sorry I am; how much it hurts to do this, to have to tell you all of this in a letter instead of in person. But I couldn’t do it. I’m not strong enough to look into your eyes as I tell you my reasons, knowing I’ll be breaking your heart; I’m not strong nor brave enough to leave as I listen to you beg me not to. So I am sorry for this, even if it is for the best.

I know it may seem to you as if I am wrong about my reasons and, believe me, I wish I was but I’m not. This life, my life is not easy. It is not safe. The people that are after me are not a joke; if they got to you, they would do everything possible to hurt you just to hurt me. Just to see how much I would be able to handle before begging them to stop. And, if that happened, if they found you because of me… Well, I would never be able to live with myself.

I also know you would say we’re safe, that they wouldn’t be able to find us, but I can’t take that risk. I can’t bet your life on it because I know they will not stop. Not anytime soon. Even a new identity won’t be enough to slow them down forever. They know my abilities too well, just as I know theirs. They will do whatever they can to find me and there won’t be much I can do to stop them.

So I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. I want nothing but good things for you, even if I am not one of them. As long as you are safe, nothing more matters to me. Not even my own happiness.

I hope you can forgive me for leaving like this. For doing it hidden and for simply disappearing, but I can’t take the risk of you convincing me to stay. And we both know you would if you tried.

MC, I love you. More than anyone or anything I have ever loved in my life. You accepted and trusted me when you had no reason to. You became my friend, my partner, and you gave me a place to belong without expecting anything in return. You welcomed me into your life and loved me for who I really am. You saved me when I didn’t think I could or deserved to.

Thank you for allowing me to be with you, for letting me love you and for loving me back, for whatever reasons you found in your heart to do so.

You will always be a part of me. I will never forget or stop loving you. I hope you’ll find a way to be happy and find a way to not hate me. But, even if you do, I can take it, as long as you’re safe.

With all my love and forever yours,

Jake/Nymos