#basically i wouldnt have known what to put as their answer | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

variousqueerthings · 2 years

Note

When i was writing it i also kept think about blindfolded Hawkeye, all evidence really does point towards him loving it...

He really does get lead and pushed around so often, I'd love to see someone's take on how it contrasts with his control and responsibilities as chief surgeon. Even outside of surgery, the contrast of him being with someone and then having a nurse or doctor coming in to ask for help or giving him an update on a patient and how he can swap between both mindsets ect.

I firmly believe that Hawkeye would valiantly try to be had by all of the nurses if given the time and opportunity. And any attention is good attention is the sort of mindset that Hawkeye would take and then promptly act like a terror until he got the attention he wants. I feel like he wouldnt have to do this with bj as much as others but he does anyways just to be a problem.

Margaret's a strange one bc it would make sense considering her personality and Hawkeye's interest but like, idk. I think its too much of a contrast in my head from his refusal to show her respect as a major, their relationship in the later seasons (in my head) hinges so much on their views of each other as equals and i think the power dynamics would be a mess.

Its kind of funny how they have Hawkeye acknowledge how sexist some of his actions were when i feel like i always remember there being more women in those earlier seasons. I might be misremembering but i feel like if theyre going to do that they could at least make female characters more core. Like not every woman has to be plot relevant to be featured.

Aro Hawkeye my beloved <3<3 I get him, he loves his friends so much it hurts and also is so so horny. He deserves to be held gently and then absolutely railed and then held again.

-majoranon

(listen okay sometimes I get worried that an ask is too personal or inappropriate so i hold off sending my name with it but the fact that you knew it was me is so funny. What tipped you of?)

Alright, post the first out of... maybe three (maybe four)! (the others of which will be about women in MASH and much shorter I think + blindfold Hawkeye + some more aro talks beyond this + idk, sometimes you’ve just got to see where the typing takes you)

THE FIRST THING I DO IS APOLOGISE FOR THE RAMBLES AND THE FACT THAT I COULD WRITE THIS BETTER AND MORE SOURCED IF MY BRAIN WAS WORKING AND I HAD TIME... I don’t, I’m sad....

I’d originally put your message into bits and was answering them one at a time, but then everything started being about a few of the same things, SO

trust me this all comes from your message 😂

This post: aro Hawkeye 🤝 aro Margaret and my actual dream relationship on the show (or, you’ll never guess where this meta/headcanon is going, or maybe you will, idk)

ALSO KNOWN AS: I make the argument that Hawkeye and Margaret are already in an aromantic life-partnership and so her occasionally topping him is really just a part of the benefits for both of them (but also I barely make the latter half of that argument, I’m sorry, I go all over the place with this one)

I think (and I mentioned that in another post) that Hawkeye being chief surgeon and Very Good at his high-stress job is a feature in this entire (somewhat jokey, but also haha kidding... unless... you know?) headcanon -- lots of people with those kinds of jobs want to get to shut off any decision-making/responsibilities outside of that space and we see that a lot with Hawkeye (in a non-sexual sense). He really really hates being in charge when it’s not about the job

I just rewatched Carry On, Hawkeye and I love how there’s that scene where Margaret is like “I should be in charge now” and Hawkeye basically goes “absolutely, have at it,” but because she’s so used to him being contrarian and bitchy with her, she thinks he’s arguing that she shouldn’t

and it gives us this interesting line:

and then in the same episode having just given Margaret the reports she needed, if we’re going for the “Hawkeye and strong women/Hawkeye and I’m just a little guy/Hawkeye and putting himself on the table” well...

literally.... on the table....

(Margaret if you’re in charge you have to get used to a lanky weirdo lying about on your desk, that’s just who he is)

and then of course:

S I R (mr alan alda, you cannot tell me this guy has never been topped by a woman (we leave domming out of the discussion for today kids, but youknow.. it’s Margaret, she of the riding crop and vibrator))

Anyway this takes us neatly into “Margaret and Hawkeye” territory...

1. first there’s all this stuff around sexuality and gender and romance and relationships happening between those two -- Margaret and “sir” and incorrect womanhood leading her relationships to not work and being openly sexual (and highly suggested dominating), Hawkeye and calling himself “aunt” and being a motherhen and all the being pregnant jokes, and being stepped on jokes, and “joking” about being married to men, etcetcetc --

of course the crux of which is that amazing conversation they have in “Stars and Stripes” in which it’s made textual how similar they are in their ideas about relationships. One of the main reasons I like to hc them as aro is that the way they phrase it is so... vague.... they can’t pinpoint why it never works out for them, time and time again, other than “they can’t change who they are,” and they’re looking for a “custom fit,” but at least with Hawkeye he’s been shown to “fall in love” with people very fast (Erika, Kyung Soon, Inga, etc) and (due to the nature of syndication) get over those relationships again/fall in love with someone new just as fast -- and a note on Erika is that he’s literally suggesting marriage and she’s the one to shut him down (in an also very aro way)

not to mention Carlye whom he proposes to have been in love with for years/never gotten over, but when given the chance for a do-over doesn’t leap at the chance... again because of vague “you choose your job over romantic relationships” reasons (any aromantic who can relate to that reasoning/has literally scoured for historical people who were described that way, raise your hands)

with Margaret you do get the sense that she’d wanted these relationships/that she invests in them, but that the men can never accept her as she is (which Hawkeye does -- and he doesn’t even do it on purpose, to begin with they’re scratching and clawing at each other as we all know), so you see, she’d love to be in a romantic relationship if only she were a completely different person, but alas she can’t be and so she’ll never be a correct woman (again, any aro who’s felt that connection between brokenness and incorrect gender and aroness raise your hands...) and to stretch that one even further, the imagery in “Dreams” of her in the wedding dress with those bodies of men in her bed and the miscarriage-looking blood-stain, it’s all... very evocative of that same incorrect/broken woman, who will never get those things that society promises are what brings happiness that she won’t have and maybe doesn’t even want, but what’s the alternative being offered here?

dead bodies and a lifetime of being alone?

2. I think it’s interesting that you said that because Margaret’s and Hawkeye’s later relationship hinges on them being equals that the power dynamics would be a mess, when that respect is actually the very thing that makes me think of them being perfect for each other in this scenario – there’s a lot of trust and vulnerability that goes into that, especially considering aforementioned gendered expectations and the ways they both already fuck around with them, and how well they know each other at that point. And if I’m gonna take “Inga” at face value, Hawkeye isn’t as out about his (in this headcanon) preferences as one might have thought, so being vulnerable with a stranger? Or someone who isn’t as under his skin as Margaret is?

What I do wonder about is whether later seasons Hawkeye is… all that interested in sex? Overall? Comparatively? Sure, there’s the occasional “Hawkeye has a date” or “Hawkeye does some flirting (with friends),” but – I will go more into this in my next post about women in MASH – when he talks to Marina in opening s10 about how he’s not treated women right in the past + has seen too much to ever be wide-eyed again, it is both good reasons to blow her off, and also something I definitely read at face value.

It also goes into something someone said on a post (I’m sorry I cannot remember where) about how later seasons had less sex, but also less homoeroticism hand-in-hand with that, but also that it’s just that the tone is overall – for Hawkeye more than any other character (he frequently gets The Narrative end of the stick, while everyone else is having a bit of a laugh) – less light-hearted at that point, and also it may have had to do with how they wanted to write the women who did come on the show (again, for next post). My point is that it all adds up to make him seem both Really Really Tired and Much Less Interested In Sex, and then as a consequence gives it a fun read of maybe he's less interested in sex, because he’s so damn tired?

In that scenario is he looking for an occasional fun time with his good friend Margaret Houlihan who maybe would step on him wearing heels (a thing he has canonically lamented her not doing at one point on the show) if he asked nicely and called her sir? Or is it that by the time they become good enough friends that he might trust her and she might trust him with these sexual and gender transgressions, he’s not in a place to try and make anything like this happen at all, because he’s just… tired?

But overall, I do think out of anyone at the 4077th… except for maybe Klinger (and also Sid, if we’re going beyond-but-adjacent), Margaret is the person who might be able to accommodate for Hawkeye the best, and Hawkeye might be able to give Margaret something she doesn’t entirely know how to balance with other men (the one downside is that technically Margaret would wanna be doing something like this with a guy like Trapper – bigger/more traditionally outwardly masculine, but it’s not like she doesn’t find Hawkeye attractive/I don’t think it would be a total dealbreaker – anyway, also smthinsmthin Hawkeye and Margaret are often attracted to the same kinda guy… as for women, I think Hawkeye is pretty broad, while Margaret likes Strong Women (similar to the men))

Meanwhile Margaret, it feels like, has prepared herself for this lifetime of loneliness, except she’s got this family all around her and maybe this guy who’s also not looking for normative relationship structures and is also Not Correct in vague, unspoken (queer) ways. But maybe, again, around the time where it could conceivably be going on, neither of them are in that headspace or maybe they can get each other out of the more tragedy-filled-careening-towards-the-end-of-the-narrative headspace, I can’t say for sure until I’ve finished the show

and speaking of that unknowable space...

What about after the show then?

3. So here’s some stuff I can’t know until I’ve finished it -- I don’t know where Hawkeye ends up and I don’t know where Margaret ends up (or anyone else for that matter), but I do think they’re the two characters who are the most conflicted at this point and likely will be right through to the end

Margaret has made a choice to not get into a romantic relationship with anyone unless they understand her as she is, and so to all intents and purposes has practically sworn off romantic relationships -- this is also framed as her putting her career first, although not entirely. It’s more like she’s putting herself first, but also… there’s something there that doesn’t quite fit. It’s certainly more possible for her to stick with the military than to conform to a housewife ideal, because she’s been with the military her whole life, but she also no longer idealizes what it is and stands for. I really do wonder where she’ll be by the end and I sort of assume she’ll stay with the military, but I also read that somewhat through the lens of disappointing, but expected romances.

Because she’s changed a lot. I don’t think the military really is her home, but I don’t think she knows of anywhere else to go. So I wouldn’t be surprised if she stays with it – I think it would be in character – I just think it would be bittersweet. Better than a marriage, but also not as good as she could do if she could unpack some more of those vague ideas that niggle in her brain (it’s queerness, but not just that, but this read of her is based around that aromanticism in particular).

And meanwhile Hawkeye is just a mess. Idk, I can’t see that changing. I also can’t see where I’d place him after the war, because I can’t see him as okay in that movie-lotr Frodo Baggins Can Never Go Home way. I can’t see anyone as technically “okay,” but I don’t think he has anyplace where he could go to attempt what people call “resuming a normal life.” Hell, I’m not even entirely sure I could see him continuing as a surgeon (that episode with the surgeon who completely breaks down is uh… well, it’s not there for nothing). Similar to Margaret, but with added PTSD, there’s all that Vagueness niggling at his brain, which maybe angers him, because he already knows he’s a big ol bisexual who falls for married men, so what gives? And he doesn’t even have a fallback like the army. At best he might simply be a surgeon or a general practitioner, but you know… The Horrors. I can’t see him as anything but haunted for the rest of his life

And so thinking of a dream scenario where they both somehow make it and it’s not just “trying to get by (trying to get by in the army, trying to get by back in Maine, trying to remember what “home” is supposed to be)” I’m like… what if they just moved in together and tried to deal with the Vagueness together, same as they’ve done multiple times on the show?

(And sidenote I maybe should’ve gotten into earlier, it’s so interesting that their romantic travails are shared with one another more than any other character -- Hawkeye is the person who knows the most about what was going on with her and Frank/Don/Sully, and she knows about him and Kyung Soon, and the aforementioned Big Conversation about The Revolving Heart Of Korea, which is said by Margaret, but is really the both of them)

(sidenote: Hawkeye is consistently the person who makes her smile like this the most)

(other other sidenote: “double-solitaire” ought to be codeword for queerplatonic aro partnership?????)

(other other other sidenote: literally just watched “Birthday Girls” in which Margaret rails against getting sympathy, but in this one she accepts it so readily from Hawkeye, and has done multiple times ever since the episode with the dog)

Margaret is the woman (maybe even the person) that Hawkeye knows best/has Hawkeye’s number and has done from very early on (but now she’s incredibly fond of that nr), Hawkeye is at least 10% of Margaret’s perfect man, it would be a great beard for the both of them, and they’d be able to draw a lot of comfort from each other.

And you know... they See Each Other and don’t expect the other person to change the core of themselves to fit, and they could challenge one another to become their most truthful selves better than anyone else could

SO IN CONCLUSION WOULD MARGARET DOM HAWKEYE (is barely the question that’s been answered in this long fucking post): IT DEPENDS

early seasons Hawkeye would have been SO up for it, but Margaret would not + it wouldn’t have been great for either of them I think? Although, sometimes they got along, even then, so maybe off the back of an episode like that... (but I do think it matters that they never canonically have sex until “Comrade in Arms”)

later seasons Hawkeye may have been too depressed for sexual frolicking and Margaret was going through an identity crisis, so idk, somewhere in between all of that somewhere?

POST seasons Hawkeye and Margaret... maybe? depending on where you puttem? if they get to spend time together?

would they at the very least have fantasized about it? Oh yeah, absolutely!

I leave you with this image:

#margaret houlihan #hawkeye pierce #MASH #MASH meta #aromantic hawkeye #aromantic margaret #and with the aromanticism: gender fuckery #mate help i wrote this mostly today and it is barely edited and im going to sleep now #but i did SAY i was going into Places with all of this

7 notes · View notes

itfitsitshipsart · 2 years

Note

Heyo!! It's super cool to find a selfshipper who ships with Raven/Schwann so 3, 9 and 15 for your TOV s/i please!! :D

( @pixelselfships )

Aw, thank you! ^3^ I love all my men, but Raven is my special sweetheart, so you dont know how happy that makes me feel~

3. how do the other characters generally feel about your self insert?

Overall, people consider her a kind soul and generally likable. The Vesperia group see her as a sort of doting mom friend after the events I'd the game, especially Karol, whose basically all but legally adopted. Don Whitehorse found her to be a quiet pushover at first, holding back a fiery spirit. He really helped her come out of her shell and felt at least a little proud of her.

As for Alexei, there were mixed feelings. He saw her as sort of extended family, her household being close to him and his work, and felt in part that he needed to help protect her after the loss of her parents. But he also ended up finding her a pain and annoyance as she became disobedient and more of a hindrance than a help.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention LeBlanc and the "Schwann Fan Club", as i like to call them ^^. They adore their 'Lady Evelyn' and how loyal and loving she is to their brave Captain. They would do just about anything for her.

9. who are your self insert’s closest friends?

I mean, other than Raven (what can I say? Marry your best friend), she's very close with Karol, the mother and son bond, and Estelle and Judy. With Judith the two bond a lot over their caretaking roles with the rest (and have womanly conversations. The old man blushes at just the thought~). And with Estelle, the two are close minded in some ways and history. Both were protected nobility who found themselves out in the world, want to do good, be kind, and heal others, and learned to live for themselves a bit more.

She would also have considered Don Whitehorse a friend of sorts, and his grandson Harry. She owed a lot to him and his help, and the two would get into quite the banter some days.

15. how does your self insert play a role in the plot of the story? do they help directly defeat the villain, support the heroes, etc.?

I'll try (and fail) to keep this short. Obviously, spoilers XD For background, since before the beginning of the game, Evelyn lived in Dahngrest and helped the Don in exchange for room and board. She met and saw the Vesperia crew a few times by then, they know she had a sort of friendship with Raven (side quest, anyone?) But she had actually known Raven/Schwann for a little over a year now (Schwann first, then Raven).

Some days after Don Whitehorse died, and Raven had rather solemnly told her to go home, and she wouldnt be seeing 'Raven' again because that mission was over, she went to Heliord. Previously (end of act 1), when Alexei saw Evelyn at Dahngrest he instructed her to go to the knights headquarters when she was 'done playing'. So she went there, and Alexei happily welcomed her back. He was less happy though as she began to push for answers. But what would she do if he told her his plans? Nothing, he assumed. Or perhaps she would help him in the future.

So Alexei gave her his 'evil monologue' about his plans for the empire, and blastia, and Estelle, and told her to stay put and behave. He left her under the watch of guards, and left to go get Estelle because Schwann should have been taking her to the rendezvous point in the near future.

Of course, Evelyn wasn't going to sit still. A year ago she would have, but not anymore. Alexei chosing LeBlanc and crew to guard her closely, failed. She fled to the capitol with many of Alexei's notes and plans in hand, and demanded to see the council and prince Ioder because she had proof that Alexei was committing treason.

Long story short, It was thanks to her that Flynn went after Alexei under those suspicions, and she also convinced LeBlanc and crew to go follow for concern for Schwann, even though they were still posted to guard her (since now with her accusing Alexei of treason she may have been in more danger). And thank goodness they got to him in time.

Well, I hope I didnt ramble too much and that everything made sense! I'm planning on writing out an overview of her entire story/character arc really soon. I hope you'll read that when I start posting it!

#self ship #self insert #answered asks #answered ask #all my heart ❤

3 notes · View notes

mxrstar · 4 years

Note

would you be willing to post all the answers to that quiz? i got sasha, and it honestly made me sob, but i would love to be able to read all of the possible outcomes

alright so I woke up with several new followers, 900 notes, and seven ask. which is!!! weird for my blog. on top of that, I very soon stopped counting the number of people who told me my quiz made them cry. I,,,,,, thank you? also I am really happy I could provide any type of comfort?

you are not the only one who asked me to post all the answers but im gonna do it once for everyone. okay, so (copied from my notes app)

[Jon] you are eating alone in the kitchen and Jon finds you- immediately can see there is something wrong. he asks you if you are okay, tells you that he is there for you. your replies aren’t spectacularly helpful, but he sits down and eats with you. asks you other questions, though at your own pace. he touches your shoulder as he brings the dishes to the counter, and tries to tell you, again, something vaguely comforting. he isn’t the picture of confidence when it comes to these things, but he is trying so goddamn hard. you don’t feel alone

[Gerry] you are at a cafe with Gerry when something bad happens. he sees the way you change— notices. long moment of silence, and then: “what do you want to do?” he keeps asking, keeps trying to make you smile. tells you, so earnestly, that you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. but there is a music shop around the corner, and weren’t you looking for that album a while ago? aren’t you still gonna smile when you come back home and listen to it? [he doesn’t matter if you go or don’t. the important thing is: you know he’ll take you. you know he will still ask. and once you have answered, he’ll help you get up and put on the music.]

[Martin] it’s midnight and the lights are off. you mention that something is wrong, and Martin moves a bit closer. doesn’t quite touch you yet, but you can feel his warmth. “what?” he asks. you tell him, and he tries to talk it out with you. he is relentlessly hopeful. he tells you about that poem he heard once, about that song you just reminded him off. he hugs you when you cry, tells you about tomorrow, about the cake you’ll make together once you get up.normally, you’d feel guilty for all that you said. you don’t now.

[Tim] Tim meets you after work/school. you are getting home, and he randomly walks into you. he sees that you are not doing good. he makes up en excuse for you to be with him (“I am going running, do you want to come with me?” “I know this weird abandoned place, do you want to come see it?”) and eventually you say yes. he tells you about his day, makes you laugh. when you get there, when you stop running— you both sit down and he asks what happened. he is worried about you, he says, and somehow manages to make you feel light. still, you feel yourself letting go and almost instantly start crying. he hugs you through it.

[Sasha] you haven’t heard from Sasha in a while. she calls you and asks you how you are doing. you lie and she can tell. she is in your house twenty minutes later. she has a plan and you can tell— it feels like a gift and you desperately want to take it. slowly, gently, she teaches you how to. lets you see your pain and work around it together. with her, you start talking. her words calm you, and she holds your hand as you talk. she’s there. she’s there.

[Georgie] you are on a bus, and Georgie sits beside you. you have been somewhere together, and something upsetting happened. “you won’t go there again,” she says, suddenly and you look at her wide-eyed.“what?” “we simply won’t go there again,” she repeats, “it is just not a welcoming place.” “but you liked it,” you protest, and she frowns, sits back so that your shoulder touch. “I did not.” “okay,” you say, relief washing over you. “okay.” [you are going to eat dinner at a nice place tonight. you know the questions will come only if you want her to. you know she has that story to tell. you know you’ll want to hear it last, so that you can go home smiling. it is a nice prospect]

#asks #i think i left out melanie and basira because i dont have too clear of a characterization for them?#basically i wouldnt have known what to put as their answer #melanie would perhaps be easier #and a bit harder for basira #but i had 7 answers already and that took me hours so i thought it best to keep it simple #tma quiz #long post

57 notes · View notes

verityswritings · 2 years

Note

How would yandere!Diavolo react when mc tells him why they wouldnt date him? They mention about how Dia cant take no for an answer and royal life will be too stressful.

Hmm interesting question. I hope the way I wrote him makes sense. Also sorry this took so long to answer.

Yandere Diavolo with Reader Who Rejects Him

So idk if this is like a well known fact but in one of Diavolo’s devilgram stories (the ‘Enchanted Pudding’ one to be specific) Diavolo acts as sort of a yandere. You’d have to read the story or the wiki page about the story for content, but he is obsessed with the mc in the story. Yet he has lots of self control so he acts completely normal and not as a ‘yandere.’

So I’d like to keep that in mind, that even if he is a yandere he doesn’t act on those tendencies. So this answer might be a bit boring or anticlimactic, but I don’t really think he would make you date him or anything. Diavolo doesn’t think it would be right for him to force you into a relationship with him. He wants you to be able to be independent and not to cage you up because of his selfishness.

He thinks it’s important for you to be able to make your own decisions about this and he understands where you are coming from. Dating royalty is definitely something that could be very overwhelming for you and he knows that he often forces people to do what he wants. But he cares for you very deeply and wouldn’t want to force you into an important decision like this if you truly didn’t want it.

And when I say all this, I don’t mean that Diavolo isn’t upset over this development. Of course he’s upset. He’s devastated, to put it lightly. And it’s not as if he hides this, he has no reason to. He finds there’s no reason to hide being upset over this, but he hides his unnaturally strong feelings over this. And he doesn’t take this out on you, mostly.

So what I’m basically trying to get at is that he wouldn’t make you be in a romantic relationship with him. He has too much respect for you for that. However, old habits die hard. Even if he wouldn’t pursue you anymore, he still finds himself forcing you to spend time with him. So he would find himself forcing you into a friendship with him. He doesn’t want to push your boundaries, but he feels he just can’t let go of you completely.

Forcing romantic relationships are off the table, but platonic relationships are totally different! At least to him. I mean, it’s not as if he’d be a bad friend or anything. Sure, I mean he wanted to lock you up to keep you all for himself when you decided you didn’t want to be in a relationship with him, but you wouldn’t ever know that. In fact, I don’t think you ever knew about Diavolo’s unnatural feelings. And you likely won’t ever know. To you, he’s always just the same old normal Diavolo.

A/N: sorry if this is bad but I just couldn’t imagine his character any other way. 😭

#tw yandere #yandere obey me #yandere diavolo #obey me diavolo #obey me #obey me headcanons #yandere obey me headcanons

158 notes · View notes

letstalkaboutshtufff · 4 years

Text

A Bad Feeling Pt 1

Levi x Reader

Part 1

Paring: Levi Ackerman x Cadet reader

Warnings: 18+ attempted rape/assault, cursing, mention of injury, violence

Summary: Reader feels uncomfortable around a overly friendly captain. Are they just over reacting? Or is there something else going on. What will Levi do when he finds out?

***************************************************

A.n. ok so I literally wrote this in one go, it's probably trash but I wanted to post it anyway. Please lemme know what you think in the comments! Thank you!

"Y/n! captain Oro is asking for you" you did your best to hide the discomfort Armins words made you feel.

You smiled what you hoped was a convincing one and nodded. With a deep breath you made your way to Captains Oro's office.

Ever since you had been introduced to him those few weeks ago, he had taken a special liking to you. At first you had been excited, having such a highly skilled and well known captain take notice of you was one of the best feelings. Especially since your squad leader, Levi wasn't exactly heavy on praise.

Everyone loved Captain Oro, he was known for his strength and stamina on the battle field. He was both charismatic, and charming. Your fellow cadets practically swooned over him. You couldn't help but also get caught up in his perfection. At first that is..

Over time you noticed things about your meetings that put you on edge. An unnecessary shoulder touch here, a too low pat on the back there. Something was off. And although you had done your best to distance yourself from him, it was hard when your squads often had to work together.

But it was hard to say anything against him because even your cold blooded captain seemed to enjoy his presence.

Once you brought it up to your friend Sasha, about how you felt he was being too friendly. But she waved her hand and basically said you were worrying for nothing, he was just a friendly guy. And you were being dramatic.

Maybe you were overreacting? If captain levi approved of him, surely that meant he was a decent person right? Maybe he was just being really really friendly.

You decided to give him a chance and knocked on his door when you finally arrived.

"Come in" a muffled voice came from the other side.

With a click you entered the candlelit room. It was nearing sundown after all.

"Ah cadet y/n! Perfect, I was wondering if I might ask your opinion on something?" He smiled angelically and gestured towards a parchment on his desk.

"Of course sir" you nodded and approached him, reminding yourself of what sasha said. Just relax.

From the way the parchment was positioned you had no choice but to come to his side of the desk.

"Do you see this area here?" He gestured to what you now saw was a map. "What do you think of leading a squad through here instead of what we originally planned?"

The next 30 minutes you spent completely and professionally discussing strategies. Being the member of your squad that was best at this, made him asking for you completely justified. You felt bad for ever doubting his intentions.

"Thank you y/n, I think I have a better idea of what course we should pursue on our next expedition" he smiled sincerely.

"I'm glad I could be of service" you nodded and allowed a relaxed smile to pass your features. Feeling stupid you had judged him so harshly.

" If you wouldnt mind just one more thing?" You nodded as he pulled out a stack of papers.

"If you could look over this report of the last mission before I send it out? See if theres anything else to add?"

"Sure, I'd be happy to Captain" you grabbed the stack.

"And please if you can, return them to me tonight, I'll need them for the meeting bright and early"

"Yes sir, I'll finish it asap, good evening" and with that you exused yourself.

Tonight? It was already sundown. Well whatever, hes so busy he probably doesn't know what time of day it is.

You found a quiet spot amonsgt the crowds in the common room and got to work.

************************************

"Oi brat, it's passed curfew, go to your room now, we have important work tommorow" the unmistakable voice of your captain rang through the now empty hall.

You looked up in surprise and meet his usual scowl, not even realizing how late it had gotten.

"Hai, s-sorry captain, I'll go now" you gathered the report and quickly left, not wanting to receive another scolding for taking too long.

Oh crap you still had to deliever the report. Changing routes you snuck quietly down the familiar hallways. Not particularly feeling like running into Levi again. Something about him always made you act just a little dumber and it was definitely not because of your non existent crush on him...definitely not.. he was just intimidating is all.

*knock knock*

You waited patiently but there was no answer. Crap did he already go to bed? But he knew I was coming? Ugh what should I do? He needs these reports..

With a sigh you change direction again and head for his personal chambers. There was no way you were getting in trouble for not delivering these reports on time.

You smiled when you saw dim light flood from beneath the door.

Lightly you knocked, "Captain Oro, its y/n, sorry it's so late but I have the rep-" you were cut off abruptly when the door swung open and there stood Oro.

Except he looked nothing like the Oro you were used too seeing. His hair was loose from it's normal slicked back do, and the edges were dripping slightly. His shirt was loosely thrown on revealing a decent amount of skin. He must've just bathed.. you could see why the girls were so obsessed with him. He was, platonically speaking, a very gorgeous man.

You were taken aback but reminded yourself that you did knock after hours so of course he wasnt going to be all soldiered up.

"U-um s-sorry Captain, I have the reports" you averted your eyes and shoved the reports in his direction.

"Ah y/n, thank you, would you please put them on my table? My hands are still slightly wet." He laughed holding them up innocently.

"S-sure" god why were you stuttering so much, you fight goddamn titans for a living?! But somehow you were more nervous now than when a 10meter was clawing at you.

You entered the room and tried to avoid looking around too much.

You always wondered what the inside of the higher ups rooms look-

*click*

You whipped around, alarm bells suddenly back in full force.

"Captain what are you-"

"You're such a good girl, you know that y/n?" Oros whole demeanor changed and you cursed yourself for not trusting your earlier instincts.

"U-um" you really did not know what to say or do as he took a couple steps closer.

"Always so obedient for me, I think you deserve a reward don't you?"

Shit

"That's not...that's not necessary captain, I really should be going" you tried to lunge for the door but he was quicker and much much stronger.

"I don't believe I dismissed you cadet..." he purred pinning your arms to the door in the blink of an eye.

You were by no means weak, but your struggles were useless against him.

"Let me go" it took all your strength not to stutter in fear.

"How adorable, you know I love it when you follow my orders so well, but I think..." you shivered in disgust as you felt his lips near your neck and press down.

"I'd like to see you fight me as well" you whimpered as he sucked and bit down on the soft flesh.

"S-stop it, p-please" he smirked and looked into your fearful eyes with his lustful ones. "Stop? But that's not what you really want is it? You see I know exactly how girls like you are" he chuckled darkly and moved one of his hands to grip both your arms, while the other slid lower. You gasped when he cupped your breast. "S-stop! I'll, ill scream If you don't!" You felt a tear slide down your shaking form.

"Scream?" He snickered like you had told the funniest joke.

"Go ahead and scream doll, itll be very interesting to see what happens"

"W-what?" You were utterly confused.

"Think about it, if someone walks in on us, what would they think? Seeing a cadet after hours in her superiors chambers?"

"B-but I! I was bringing the reports i wasn't-!"

"Do you honestly think theyll care what you have to say? Who do you think theyll believe y/n? You a nobody cadet who's been fighting titans for 3 seconds? Or me, a selfless hero whos saved countless of scouts lives? All I have to tell them is that you came into my room and tried to seduce me. When I tried to restrain you, you screamed. Who do you think theyll listen too? Why else would you be here so late at night?"

"Y-You're..you're insane, you're not a hero, y-you're a coward who-" he grasped your jaw harshly causing you to wince.

"I'd watch that mouth of yours y/n" he squeezed harder. I am your superior after all, and we wouldnt want any nasty rumors going around that would have you suspended from the survey corps now would we?" He bent down and to your horror pressed his lips against yours.

Fuck fuck what do I do?!? Hes blackmailing me now. I cant fight him, hes too strong, think think think.

But your mind was blank when his cold lips pressed against your lips again. "Open your mouth" he ordered in a voice laced with animilistac lust.

You abruptly turned your head away desperate to get away.

"Heh, always such a tease" he traced a finger up and down your cheek, flipping over your lips. "I'll enjoy this-"

"CAPTAIN ORO, COMMANDER ERWIN REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE IN HIS OFFICE IMMEDIATELY" a voice shouts from the other side of the locked door.

With an annoyed sigh, Oro pulls away slightly, "Did he say why?" He lazily looks over in the direction of the door.

"NO SIR!"

"guess it can't be helped... Alright tell him I'll be there shortly" he yelled out.

"Hai" the footsteps recended and you stood deathly still.

He pulled away from you and you immediately pulled your wrists to you, they were an angry red, and it scared you how much strength he had so effortlessly displayed.

"Sorry doll, it looks like we'll have to continue this another night" he stepped away and began dressing normally as if he hadn't just been assaulting you 5 second ago. You quickly make for the door but his voice falters your step, "Oh and y/n?"

You dont look at him, but fear held you in place until he finished, "If you mention our little moment to anyone, you know what will happen" you nodded quickly, anything to appease him and get out.

When the door shut behind you, you felt the flood of tears break through.

D-did, d-did that really happen?!?

You held a hand to quiet your sobs and quickly dashed through the hallways.

You're heart thumped and you felt the need to vomit. You hadn't felt this way since the first time youd encounted a titan. All you wanted to do was get to the safety of your room, just through the hall.

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown on you when a cold voice shouted out and halted your movements. Please not now, oh god any time but now.

"Oi cadet y/n are you deaf as well as dumb? I asked you a question.

"Why are you out past curfew?" he sounded definitely annoyed and you gathered all your strength to hold the sobs out of your voice.

Without turning around you answered, "I-I had to deliver some r-reports..I'll head to my room now.." you stepped forward hoping he would let you go but you were not so lucky.

"Oi brat, did you hit your head? I didn't dismiss you yet. Not to mention you haven't even addressed me properly, maybe some time cleaning up horse shit will remind you how to respect your superiors" fuck he was definitely angry now.

Still you didn't turn around, you couldn't..."S-sorry Captain Levi, I'll do better in the future.." you barely could even focus on the words coming out of your mouth, your heart was beating a mile a minute. Please just leave me alone!

"Hahh" Levi uttered in disbelief and severe annoyance, even the most novice of cadets turn around when being spoken to by a superior. "Are you trying to piss me off brat?!?"

"No sir..." still you didnt turn around, but gulped in fear when you heard sharp footsteps near you.

"Cadet y/n, you have three seconds to turn around and salute me properly before I throw you into the cells for insubordination" he ordered in his dangerously calm voice, that you never thought would be directed at you.

Having no other choice you slowly turn around, hoping to god the darkness of the room would be enough to hide your current state.

You kept your head down, letting your hair fall over your face, but gave a proper salute. Hiding the Wince that came when the tender flesh of your wrist had to bend.

Your eyes were trained on the floor. And you tried to remember how to breathe normally again.

"At least you remember how to-" abruptly his harsh scolding stopped.

Why did he stop?! Fuck did he notice something. No no calm down, he probably just is coming up with another punishment...right?

Wrong...

Levi was far from being done with dicisplining you but he caught sight of your bruised wrist and furrowed his brows immediately. He knew for a fact the last time you spoke in the hall those had not been there. He was quick to take in the rest of your demeanor and knew immediately that the reason you were acting disrespectful was because something was wrong.

"Cadet y/n.." he said suspiciously slow and not full of anger anymore.

"Y-yes?" Please dont ask me, please dont ask me, please dont-

"Look at me"

*******************************

Part 2 here

Okay so that's part 1! Please comment and lemme know what you think🥰also I'm super sensitive so please no hateful comments. Thanks for reading!

1K notes · View notes

bloodycassian · 3 years

Text

Cauldron Damned.

Reader x Cassian + Feyre BFF

Prompt - bestie bestie bestie a cassian x reader fic where reader helps feyre with the cauldron - not rhys and she ya know like rhys did and cassian basically breaks down and it’s super angsty but rhys lives so the reader gets to aswell ig tag @ bellefleurs and @ eerievixen

Her hair was a mess and painted to her neck with sweat but you still held her. Still gave and gave, until you were out of breath. Until you could feel yourself slipping. "Keep going.... You're doing so good." You panted out, trying to put a smile in your tone. She was the Mother herself, forging that cursed Cauldron back together. Rhys was breathing heavily behind you after being knocked out by Lucien. You had given the Autumn court son a look and he had known what you needed him to do. Rhys would be snarling mad when he woke, but you knew what you had to do. To save your home, to save the entire world. Feyre was ready to risk it all, fearless and full of hope. You had to save that hope for your Court. Better you than her, better the high lady and lord survive than just an officer. You smiled at the thought of what you'd told Cassian before this final battle. Before you knew it would turn into saving the entire world from the Cauldron's vengeance. "You better make damn sure my memorial statue looks fantastic. No priestess, though. Make sure it makes my wings stand out." You joked on the flight to the base camp. Cassian danced around death like he was it's balancing point. Like he was in tune with each and every death or life dealt. He laughed at your abruptness on the subject. After months of skittering around each other, of trying not to stare too long or acknowledge that pull you felt towards him... It was nice to finally be alone. To let that tension ease out with a few jokes. It was too easy to be with him, like you'd known him much longer in the year of preparation for this battle. "And you better make sure my wings are bigger than yours on that sculpture." He banked around a large cliffside and you followed, like a magnet. Like you could read his mind, you turned when he did. He rose with you, compensating for the cool mountain wind. You rolled your eyes dramatically, flapping a bit higher than him for emphasis as you drawled out "Poor War General, his wing size matters so much to him." He shrugged, circling lower and lower with you until you were on the ground together amid a clearing. The grass was soft, covered in early morning dew. "Some say wing size dosen't matter, you know." You said with a wink, making him double over with laughter. It made you begin laughing too when he started running out of breath. Once you had both collected yourselves, You began building a fire together. Rather, a massive bonfire that was to act as the signal to the army for where to move. His face was grim when he threw the last of the logs together. You understood why. "The Kings army will be here before us." You said, voice low. He only nodded. You kneeled in the wet grass, one knee down the other one supporting your wrist bracer. He followed you silently. You spoke in unison, the ancient words from all the Illyrian warriors before you: "Name me God of Death today. Let us bring that name to those who do us wrong." + Feyre muttered something you couldn't hear. The darkness crept further in on you. You could see some light between your blurred vision. You could see how her hands lit up the cracks in the ancient stonework. You could feel her practically vibrating with the strain. Your tears dribbled on to her shoulder, knowing these would be your final moments with her. Your final moments in this world. There was no better way you'd spend it than saving her. Spending those last few minutes being able to tell her how amazing she was. You felt her smile when you leaned your head against hers. Your heart ached. You whispered what you hoped were encouraging words in her ear. A rupture of sound- a crack fully mended -and your chest filled with blooming pride at your friend. There was something crackling, ripping. You weren't sure if it was inside you or if it was the magic Feyre was performing. There was a gasp behind you and rustling, but you dared not take your concentration away from her. Away from how she leaned back into you. Dared not speak a word to distract her other than giving her those little jabs of confidence when she started to shake. "You got it, Feyre. You can do this." You managed, before that caving feeling in your chest seemed to give in. You were breaking, you knew that much. But she wasn't done yet. Your breath leaked out from you, like you were being squeezed. "Make it all worth it, Feyre." You managed to whisper out before you could no longer hold yourself up anymore. You laid back, your legs wrapped around her, mirroring her own. You hooked a foot on top of hers and gave her what you could from where you crumpled. Death was easy, slow. Like a soft lullaby taking you away. You knew what lay before your body, and only hoped you were enough to get Feyre to where she could mend the rest on her own. You gave her all of your soul, all your being. She had to make it. You let the wave of that soft lullaby take you under. + Cassian didnt think before shoving his way through the crowd into the tent. Didnt consider what he might find there, and how his heart may be ripped from him at the sight of it. The death that crept at that tent was a feeling he wouldnt forget in a thousand lifetimes. His best friends lying unconscious on the floor before the cauldron. He went numb, still like a cold glacier. Lucien frantically shook Rhys, attempting to wake him. Cassian's head roared and he was falling to his knees at your side. He took your head in his lap, gently. As if he could still hurt you. He didn't notice he was crying until he saw the fat teardrops on your cheek. He wiped them away, leaving dirt smeared there. Another yell of anguish, and Rhys was coming to. From the sound of the yelling or from Lucien shaking him. Azriel entered the tent then, solemn. Then his eyes widened. Those shadows darted around the room, taking each member of the court into account. The shadowmaster rushed to Feyre, checking her pulse and sighing. He noted the way your leg tangled around hers. His heart gave a painful squeeze. He saw both his brothers in agony. And he swore on his life there would be no place for the cauldron to be found again. Cassian cradled his mate's head in his lap, rocking gently. Rhys' dark power cracked the sky outside the tent once he was conscious. Rhys rushed to Feyre, scooping her in his arms. He brushed her hair back from her face. Azriel could practically hear the mental screaming coming from both of them. The shadowmaster laid a hand on top of yours, closing his eyes and letting his tendrils of power, of those whispering shadows reach out. They circled your head, slowly like a snake. He felt that song then, singing back with his own. The essence of your soul, dancing around your aura. His eyes flashed open in surprise, then a manic laugh rumbled from his chest. "Rhys-" He breathed, pulling his attention away from a waking Feyre. Cassian looked up in a flash at his brothers, watching them exchange looks. "Bring my mate back now." Cassian growled at Rhys. The tone was utterly deadly. Promises of death from the Lord of Bloodshed if his command was not answered. Azriel's eyes darted between his brothers. As if he was expecting Cassian to attack. The high lord would have been gaping at him if he hadn't experienced the same pain of almost losing a mate. He nodded, pulling himself together long enough to enter your vacant mind. Then the cauldron was humming, as he dipped a mental hand into it as well. + Rhys' commanding voice rang out over your land of lavender and sunshine. "She will miss you." His voice was soft, but the attention it drew was still there. The meadow you laid in was softer than any silk in Velaris. More luxurious than any chair made to accompany your wings. You sighed, taking in the sweet scent before he spoke again. "Too much, I believe. Especially when she hears about what you did to save her." He appeared at the edge of the soft meadow, the grass around him waving like the sea. You sat up, dazzled at the sight of him here. In such a bright, lovely place. His tanned face seemed to glow with the smile he held for you. "I'm tired." You said, voice groggy. You wanted to lay back down. You closed your eyes, for just a second and when you opened again he was in front of you, crouched. He held a tattooed hand out, giving you a nod. "Just come with me and you can nap all you want." His eyes sparkled. Not with that starlit power, but with tears ready to spill over. You took that hand and closed your eyes. + Feyre's warm hand in yours was the first thing you felt when you woke. Rhys held her in the corner atop a pelt rug beside you. The brothers leaned against each other. Rhys played with Feyre's hair as she rested. The sight of them together, him protecting her so well made your heart sing in approval. you knew she always deserved someone as good as Rhys. The fire where the Cauldron once was made the tent cozy. There were no sounds other than the soft breathing and the occasional pop of wood on the fire. Azriel sat at the door, sword on his lap. Ready to kill if anyone dared enter. Then, you looked to the softness that cradled you. Cassian's face was covered in dirt, blood and more. He looked exhausted. Like he had been beaten, lost and beaten again. You tried a weak smile at him. Clean rivers ran down from his eyes, revealing the dark skin underneath. "I couldn't let you get a statue without me." He said, voice trembling. You smiled the best you could and reached a hand to stroke his cheek. "How-" You began, but he shushed you. "Just..rest for now. We can talk in the morning." He brushed a thumb over a silent tear that trickled from your eye. You nodded, and let him pull the blanket more firmly around you. Lulling you to sleep with soft humming.

#cassian x reader #cassian #acotar #the cauldron #acotar fic #bellefleurs #eerievixen

136 notes · View notes

mqnasluvr · 4 years

Note

heya ! i heard you were new around here, could i request headcanons of enemies to lovers with kaeya and childe ? any pronouns are fine ! they’re so annoying i hate how i love them nevertheless,, thank you belladonna and take your time <3

enemies to lovers | kaeya alberich

pairings; kaeya x gn!reader

mentioned; jean

warnings; enemies to lovers but it’s pretty one sided, spoilers for kaeyas backstory, no beta we die like men, a lil bit of kaeya slander im sorry i had to, gn! reader

word count; 2k

a/n; where did kyquu go? :( i hope they at least see this.. i didnt finish childes part but i wanted to push this out as soon as possible. :(

kaeya

to put it simply, your relationship with kaeya was... tiring.

you had been close to kaeya and his younger brother for years, them being your closest and most trusted friends throughout part of your childhood and teenage years. but that all came to a halt when the former admitted to being a spy from khaenri'ah.

in no way or form did he expect for you two to forgive him— but actually seeing your broken and betrayed faces hurt him more than he thought it would, and the image still haunts him to this day.

you had separated yourself from the two brothers. although diluc didn’t do anything wrong, you didn’t want to pick between them ( even though you really should’ve ). that decision was too hard for you to make.

for years, you stayed out of touch with kaeya as he continued to climb the ranks within the knights of favonius, and you followed, much to your dismay. you worked hard to become a knight, and you weren’t going to quit just because of some bad blood between you and your superior. ( props to you for maturity )

he wanted nothing more than to reconnect with you, and maybe even diluc— but that was wishful thinking. diluc ragnvindr was a stubborn, hardheaded man, and getting past that exterior would be no simple feat.

so, he opted for ( not so ) subtly courting you— giving you the occasional wave whenever he saw you walking through mondstadt, offering to help you train ( although you declined every time ), and other small things. you question why he chose to do this now of all times, after half a decade of not speaking to each other.

you weren’t sure how to feel, but it made you agitated. not seething with rage, but it did annoy you to see his lazy grin whenever he walked into the angels share and saw you sitting in the corner of the room. it annoyed you whenever he did that stupid two finger salute before walking off, and archons, did it annoy you when he patted your shoulder after sparring as if you were the best of buds.

then why did your thoughts never stray from him?

that question, you couldn’t answer.

and so, you resorted to treating him like he didn’t exist. it was rude, but you couldn’t really think of anything else. avoiding him like the plague was the one thing you were good at.

as if things couldn’t get any worse, one of your worst nightmares came to fruition.

“jean, please. why can’t i do this mission with you? why... him?” you were basically at the acting grand masters feet, head in your hands and pleading up at the woman. she felt bad, but there was nothing she could do.

“i’m really sorry y/n. but i’m too busy with other things, and kaeya happens to be available. you know an ordinary knight wouldnt be able to take this mission,” her guilt worsened when you looked up at her with ( fake ) tears in your eyes. she kneeled to your height.

“i don’t know of your history with kaeya, but please, just put it aside for this one mission. it shouldn’t take you very long.”

jean helped you stand to your feet, the frown etched into her face growing deeper when she saw your shoulders slump. “alright, fine..i’ll try-”

“jean! have you seen y/n— ah, there they are,” kaeya waltzed in without so much as a knocking, making you jump in surprise and shoot a glare at him. he flashed you a lazy grin.

“speak of the devil..” you muttered.

“are you ready to go? we don’t have much time.” the mission you were assigned was to gain intel on what the fatui were planning. to get said intel, you had to sneak into a gathering held by the fatui. the dresscode was rather expensive— more expensive than anything you owned— so to help you out, kaeya took the liberty of purchasing an outfit for you.

kaeya dropped it into your arms. “change into this. don’t want to show up to a party wearing uniform, do you?”

“thanks...” your face felt warm from embarrassment, but you did have to admit, that was considerate of him.

he laughed and waved his hand, shaking his head. “let’s get going, yeah?”

—

you finished getting ready with the help of jean. she sent you one last apologetic gaze before walking you out the door, waving at you both.

kaeya didnt even hide the fact that he was checking you out. his eyes raked over your attire, before sticking his arm out for you to hold. “my, my, you look quite impressive, y/n. is everything suited to your tastes?”

you huffed and walked past him. “the corset is too tight, and the shoes are too small.” you were only half lying— the corset was a bit uncomfortable to move in, but he got your shoe size down to a T. how? you didn’t really want to know.

“if that’s the case, i can loosen it for you-”

“no.”

kaeya laughed it off, and you only grew more irritated. “come now, y/n. don’t be so stiff.”

“i am perfectly content with being stiff, thank you. now hurry up, i want to get this over with,” you muttered the last part.

you didn’t want to admit that you were struggling to take your eyes off of his attire. he was clad in a white suit with blue complimentary colors to match your own outfit.

you rolled your eyes. ‘of course he’d get us matching outfits.’

but, you didnt find yourself minding all too much.

—

the party looked like any other party— fatui agents littered all over the residence, along with guests in fancy clothing.

you tugged on your sleeve, feeling uncomfortable and out of place. but on the outside, yourself and kaeya blended in pretty well.

because kaeya was such a well known figure, he had to change up his looks a bit. no eyepatch, ( i know, so uncharacteristic ) and he used contacts to change his eye color to a darker shade.

he also put that disgusting rat tail away.

so he didn’t look completely different, but he looked different enough.

...the change was nice.

you couldnt help but feel watched though. but that was to be expected. even though you felt somewhat secure in this situation, anxiety rests for no one. it rested in the pit of your stomach dormantly, waiting for a moment to bloom.

looking around the ballroom, kaeya found people dancing in the middle. deciding that it was better to at least enjoy the party before leaving, he stood in front of you and held his hand out, bowing.

“may i have this dance?”

“who do you think i am-”

kaeya flashed you a cautious glance, head nodding towards a fatui agent who was keeping their eye on the two of you. holding back a sigh, you placed your hand in his. he grinned.

“thank you,” he said. you grunted quietly and held back a roll of your eyes as he dragged you to the middle of the dance floor.

“attention whore,” you muttered, feeling warmer as he placed his hand on your lower back and pulled you in closer.

“you wound me, y/n.”

“you deserve it. i wish i could slap you.”

he stayed quiet. maybe too far?

you shook your head. no. there was no way you we’re going to let yourself feel sorry for him when he was literally a spy.

but he feels honest enough.

sure, his intentions at first were.. questionable. but he’s changed for the better. kaeya has been in mondstadt for years now, and khaenri'ah fell ages ago. his love for mond shouldn’t be doubted for a second, even if he hides it quite well.

before you could look up and make sure your words didn’t hurt him too badly, he leaned down near your ear.

“we have to go.”

“what-”

“i’ll explain later, but we have to go,” he grabbed your hand and pulled you through the crowd.

you didn’t notice, but several of the fatui agents were watching you. you didnt change your looks as much as he did, opting to use simple touch-ups to make yourself more presentable. but it wasn’t enough.

“hey!” one of that agents shouted, and kaeya turned his head back to see how close they were. like he suspected, they were following gou. they pushed through the people, even going as far as knocking one man over, just to catch up.

you hurried your steps along with kaeya, almost sprinting to keep up with him. his grip on your hand was firm though. you two dashed up the stairs onto the third floor of the residence, where the bedrooms were. offices, libraries, bedrooms— they were all there. kaeya picked a random one and shoved you both inside.

it was a red themed bedroom, the lights dim with papers scattered along the desk on the other side of the room. “it seems we’ve gotten lucky,” kaeya joked, skimming over the papers. they were letters, between the fatui and some unknown source. kaeya stashed them in his jacket.

you didn’t understand how he could joke at a time like this. you still arent in the clear and you could hear rapid footsteps coming upstairs. “kaeya—!”

“you know how you said you wanted to slap me?” he said while tucking the last bit of papers into his suit. he didnt even give you a chance to answer. “you can, after this.”

you were confused, but when he backed you up against the wall and pressed his lips to yours, that confusion turned into anger, then more confusion, then understanding.

sighing when you finally caught on, he pulled your body closer to his and you wrapped your arms sround his shoulders. he tugged and nipped on your bottom lip, and if you didnt know any better your knees would be knocking. he was almost too good at this.

suddenly, an agent— a female one, this time— barged in. “have you— hey! take that shit elsewhere, lovebirds!”

kaeya hid your face in his chest, grinning lazily at the woman. his lips were swollen and his eyes were lidded. the woman blushed.

clearing her thoat, she held up a picture of you. well, moreso the back of your head. “have you seen this individual?”

he stared at the woman, then glaced down at you. “..sorry. i’ve been busy, i haven’t seen anyone of the sort. wish i could help,” he shrugged, and the ladies blush worsened. “o-of course..” she muttered, before closing the door and locking it.

kaeya snorted at the irony. he looked back at you, who was still touching your lips with your fingers.

“was i that good?” he chuckled, and caught your hand when you moved to slap him. his laughter died down and he looks oddly serious.

“y/n, we need to talk..”

“...no we dont,” you turned your back to him. he put his hand on your shoulder.

“yes,” he sighed. “we do. i know you didnt want to do this with me-”

“kaeya..”

“-and really, i understand. but i’ve changed, and i know you’ve noticed. i dont want you to hate me forever-”

“kaeya-”

“and you can’t-”

“kaeya!” you nearly yelled. he finally stopped talking over you. “i don’t want to talk about this right now. can you just drop it?”

“then when?” he narrowed his eyes. he laughed humorlessly when there was no reply.

kaeya’s eyes softened the longer you stayed silent. he gently grabbed your wrist and pulled you in for a hug. “...sorry.”

“could you please shut up,” you mumbled into his chest. he laughed softly.

“i know you’re wary right now. but all i ask for is a second chance,” he pulled away and hend your hands together in his. “...please.”

it was an odd sight, seeing him this vulnerable. then again, there was a good chance he was faking it to get on your good side but.. for some reason you found it hard to believe that. he looked truly sincere.

you groaned.

“you better not make me regret this.”

#i took inspo from a fic i read on tiktok... ill try to find the original creator #kaeya x reader #kaeya x reader genshin impact #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #kaeya x y/n #kaeya x you

310 notes · View notes

raveneira · 3 years

Text

The flowers was for Kawaki NOT Himawari

Istg the fact that this is even still debated is mind boggling when it couldnt have been made any clearer all because mfs dont know how to read.

Sarada says These will look perfect in Himawari’s vase

I dunno if people are purposefully being dumb or they actually cant understand basic literature but saying something will look nice in something does NOT mean they were bought for the owner of said object. Context plays a key role, you would know that if yall actually bothered to think for more than 2 seconds.

For example, Boruto bought flowers for his mother, and he put them in HIMAWARI’S vase, does that mean the flowers were for Himawari since he put them in her vase? no. Know why? because he said they were for his mother on her birthday and NONE of you questioned that regardless whose vase he put it in. But before I continue ranting I’ll keep it professional for now and address the context yall conveniently overlooked, the irrefutable proof of who the flowers were actually for.

Sarada’s face says it all here, why would she make an awkward face with a sweat drop scratching her cheek awkwardly about buying flowers for Boruto’s little sister who shes known all her life? why would she feel awkward about that? and why wouldnt she just answer Ino? all she says is Yeah, sort of...

We know she never said who it was for because Ino literally GUESSES who their for based on her reaction, if they were for Himawari Sarada wouldnt have been awkward and just said Yes these are for Himawari, she wouldnt look awkward and hesitate to tell Ino who their for UNLESS they were for someone she felt awkward admitting she was buying flowers for, aka Kawaki.

Sarada from her own mouth calls the person she bought them for a HE and says HE will probably think shes just being nosy, and whos the one guy who has called her nosy?

This is not rocket science, its just basic common sense, all this debate just because Sarada says the flowers would look nice in Himawari’s vase, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT BORUTO THOUGHT ABOUT THE FLOWERS HE BOUGHT FOR HIS MOTHER.

My god where was this energy back then? why only with Sarada are yall going through all these mental gymnastics tryna prove she didnt buy flowers for Kawaki? the only reason you would fight THIS hard against such a simple gesture that you insist is completely platonic is because you KNOW its significance.

And to those of you who claim the flowers are in the trash, stop the cap, we dont know what happened to the flowers after they went to fight Boro, all we know is Sarada dropped them after going into shock seeing Konohamaru badly injured.

Even if they were discarded, it doesnt change the fact that she bought them for him and it doesnt change the fact that she cared enough to think of him while picking up flowers her mother bought for her father, she took upon herself to buy separate ones for Kawaki. I think thats the part that scares yall the most.

Boruto could have put the flowers in Shino’s vase for all yall cared and yall still wouldnt have questioned who it was for because he SAID who it was for, but because its flowers from Sarada for Kawaki suddenly its different.

The biggest part of all this is that the flowers were a gift from BORUTO for HIS mother on HER birthday, why would Sarada, replace a gift from someones son for her birthday, that makes absolutely no danm sense. Imagine Boruto replacing a gift Sarada bought for her mother, its just downright ridiculous. The only reason Kawaki is replacing the vase is because he BROKE it, Sarada has absolutely no relation to any of that so theres no reason for her to get involved in their family matters.

One final point about the context is what she says, that he’ll just think she’s being nosy, and what exactly did Kawaki call her nosy for in the first place?

She was staring at him which Kawaki noticed and asked her what is she looking at? his attitude was caused by 3 things leading up to this comment

1 Naruto kept insisting that Kawaki and Sarada were friends now

2 Mitsuki revealed that Sarada suggested they come there to spy on Kawaki

3 She was staring at him hard and he noticed

After Kawaki calls her nosy he immediately makes a point of telling her that he doesnt intend on becoming friends with any of them, referring back to what Naruto said, he makes clear that he rejects her offer of friendship from before, he is also irritated at her coming there to spy on him.

Notice the common theme in all this? all of this pertains to SARADA sticking her nose into HIS business, everything leading up to him calling her nosy has been HER being nosy about HIM, not anyone else.

So the only reason she would say he would think shes being nosy, is because the flowers are for HIM not Himawari. Why would he even call her nosy for buying flowers for a friend? shes known Himawari long before he has so if anything HE’D be the one whos being nosy for commenting on it.

Bottom line is yall only fighting this hard to make this a Himawari thing instead of a Kawaki one is because you yourselves know its significance, hell like yall were originally saying it could be completely platonic, but the implications of her buying flowers for Kawaki at the same time Sakura buys flowers for her husband is a bit concerning for non KawaSara shippers lol so believe me I get your concern.

But regardless of how you feel about it, the flowers were for Kawaki, deal with it.

#boruto #boruto anime #boruto next generations #kawasara

94 notes · View notes

fatal-rewrites-warriors · 3 years

Note

:c I'm offer chimken nooble

Which characters are the hardest to write, or get into their heads for?

Favorite scene so far (of those up to this chapter ofc)?

If you *had* to put Blackfoot in a relationship with a canon character, who would it be? How would it play out?

What do you think might be some challenges in Blackfoot's POV next book?

If Yellowfang hypothetically never chooses Leafpool as her apprentice, who would be her successor instead? + if Yellow hadn't ended up in Thunderclan prior to Spottedleaf's death, what would have happened? How would Thunderclan have gotten a new healer, and who would it be in this Yellow-less scenario?

so ive already answered the first two, but lets see...

I am honestly drawing a blank for Blackfoot. Like this is a highly repressed gay dude, already limiting his options, and then furthermore Shadowclan is a bit of a mess and most cats around his age are either taken or they're mollies, not to mention having been a loyalist limits his options even more

I guess the fact of the matter is that Blackfoot would probably need someone he's known from youth, who's willing to look past his crimes and put in the effort to get through his beliefs that he cant be loved, and theres just no canon cats that can fill that role

(not even getting into the fact that Blackfoot is basically predisposed to relationships with power imbalances because if he did get into a relationship he would just. worship them. and thats not Great)

But also Im highly particular about Blackfoot just in general and there hasnt been a single ship involving him thats pinged me

anyways now that ive talked about blackfoot a bunch lets talk about the struggles he presents as a pov character, which i mentioned in the previous ask but like. yeah the fact that he's a follower, that he would rather do things for others than forge his own way, is a whole thing.

i think the religious aspects of his character will challenge me too because im not a religious person and generally speaking had a fairly agnostic upbringing. I'm up to the challwnge, tho, and honestly just excited for his pov in general

if yellowfang didnt choose Leafpaw...i could definitely see Shrewpaw giving it a shot! and if yellowfang hadnt been arpund to replace spottedleaf, starclan would prolly need to send a sign hmmm. at first firepaw, feeling guilty, would try to take up the post, but he's an outsider with no head for herbs so he would have no success

they would need someone well suited pretty fast, and i can honestly see Raven getting nudged towards the role because of his intelligence (tho his success is debatable too because of his anxiety). it'd be a tough decision to make and sadly it wouldnt have an easy answer--this might even be a situation where a cat from another clan needs to move to thunderclan and train to become their healer

#rewrite stuff

9 notes · View notes

tchallasbabymama · 4 years

Text

Make it Better

Heyyy y’all! Here’s Ch 8 of Playlist. Check out my masterlist HERE to catch up and read my other stories. This is a long one....

Check out the actual Playlist HERE

Word count: ~10k

CW: Smut

“What?!” K’Hari yelled at his only child as she cried at the kitchen table. Tamala had sat both of her parents down to tell them the news and so far her father was not taking it well. “Say that one more time so I know I understood you. You’re what now?”

“I’m calling off the wedding,” she said through her tears.

“What happened, busi?” her mama asked softly as her baba continued to seethe next to her.

“What happened doesn't matter, Aja. What matters is your daughter has lost her fucking mind if she thinks-”

“Baba, he loves someone else!” Tamala yelled as K’Hari’s eyes rolled in exasperation. “He’s always loved someone else.” She hung her head and berated herself for not seeing it sooner when her mother’s hand reached out to tip her chin upwards to meet her gaze.

“Sithandwa, he could learn to love you,” Aja said softly while using her other hand to wipe the tears from her daughter’s eyes.

Tamala moved away from her mother and looked at her in horror.

“I thought you would be on my side! He doesn't love me, mama, and he never will. He said so himself...he only loves her.”

“Who is this elusive love of his?” K’Hari’s voice took on a sinister tone.

“H-her name is Ashanti, she's from the Merchant Tribe-”

“Owns an art store?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Y-yes, how did you know?”

K’Hari sighed and his head fell back. He should have known all along.

“She’s the girl that got herself kidnapped by Princess Zenzi, but the king never said why she was the target. Demethi!” He struck the table, shocking Aja and Tamala. “Does he still see her?”

“No,” Tamala sniffled, “I put the fear of Bast in her and told her I would have her exiled if she contacted him again. It must have worked, I’ve never seen T’Challa so angry before.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, mama, not physically anyway. He told me...he told me I would be his queen but she would always have his heart and that this was just an arrangement. What does that even mean?!” Tamala broke down crying as her parents gave each other a look.

K’Hari and Aja Obu had wanted nothing more than for their daughter to marry well, so when the opportunity to have her marry the king presented itself they took it. In council meetings K’Hari and several of the other elders voiced their concerns about the king not being married. He would always brush it off until K’Hari had the idea to align himself with the Border tribe and not allow his immigration proposal to pass. He knew the king would want to speak with him one-on-one about it, and during their meeting he insinuated that his vote could be bought if the king would marry his daughter. Three birds, one stone. They didn’t expect the king to be so cruel and tell Tamala about their deal though.

There was a long silence as K’Hari shook his head frantically at his wife, knowing she was on the verge of telling Tamala everything.

“Busi-”

“Aja, no-”

“Thula! This was all your idea anyway,” she snapped and K’Hari shrunk into himself. Aja wiped Tamala’s tears and held both of her hands. “Honey, your father made a deal with the king-”

“What kind of deal?” she asked through her stuffy nose and freefalling tears.

“My dear, I-” he cut himself off with a sigh. He never imagined his plan going south, so he had hoped that he would be able to get away with not telling her what he did, but all of that got thrown out the window the minute she showed up at their house in tears. “I made a deal with the king. He wants to open Wakanda even further to the Lost Tribe and allow them to immigrate here. It is a good proposal, but I split the vote and convinced Hodari of the Border Tribe to follow my lead. The king came to speak with me about it and well, uh, long story short I promised him my and Hodari’s votes if he would take you as queen. I knew how important his proposal was to him, and how the rest of the council had been pushing him to find a wife. It was the perfect plan.”

“No it wasn’t! You used me! And mama, you knew about it!” She snatched her hands away from her mother and stood from the table.

“Busi, we-”

“No! You basically sold me to the king! Actually, nevermind, because in order to sell something the buyer has to actually want it! You pushed me onto him and you thought that was ok? You thought I wouldnt eventually find out?!” She quickly gathered her things and ignored her parents’ protests as she stormed out of their home.

Tamala had nowhere she could go and be alone away from everybody, so she retreated to her temporary quarters in the palace. She stayed in there for a week, only letting kitchen staff in and out, but she was upset even more by the fact that nobody came to check on her wellbeing. She already knew she wasn’t wanted by the king, but it wasn’t until then that she realized how much the rest of the royal family never seemed to like her either. She knew she could be abrasive at times, but for them to be so cold? Then it dawned on her that they must have all thought she was involved in her father’s schemes.

“I wouldn’t like me either.” she mused to herself and decided she would go set the record straight at breakfast.

The next morning Tamala was so anxious that she almost couldn’t make it in time, but she was able to pull herself together at the last minute. She emerged from her room and made the long walk to the elevators that would take her down to the dining area. The butterflies in her stomach flew faster and faster the closer she got, and she was sure other people could hear her heart beating out her chest. By the time she reached the door she had forced herself to calm down again, knowing that what she had to do required a clear head and an unwavering disposition.

The palace guards opened the doors for her and when she saw them she immediately lost all of the confidence she had worked so hard to build. She had expected to just see the four of them there, but for the first time since she moved into the palace a month ago they had several guests at the table as well.

M’Baku and his chieftess Shani were seated next to each other across from Queen Mother and Shuri. N’Jadaka sat next to his little cousin with Okoye to his left. It was her off day so they had invited her to join them for breakfast. Her ex-husband W’Kabi was nowhere to be seen, but instead there were two colonizers at the table next to M’Baku. One that looked like a human version of a golden retriever and the other seemed to be part robot. The empty seat at the foot of the table was her only option, so she sat down and tried to drum up the courage to make her announcement.

“Tamala, we have barely seen you this week,” Ramonda remarked, without looking up from her food, only partially interested in her response.

Tamala cleared her throat and when everyone reluctantly turned to look at her she locked eyes with the king. She could still feel how cold and detached he was towards her, which only solidified her decision.

“I needed some time to myself, to think. I have decided to...to call off the wedding.” Everyone was shocked. They all knew of the arrangement since they had each cornered T’Challa at some point to try to talk sense into him. None of them liked Tamala. She was rude, she was entitled, and she had a jealous streak that rubbed them all the wrong way. Worst of all, they thought she was only with T’Challa because she wanted the throne. “I didn’t know about my father’s plan, but I do now and I can’t go through with it. I can’t spend my life with someone who doesn’t love me.”

She kept her eyes on T’Challa and saw his face fall when he found out she was unaware of her father’s plan. He immediately felt bad for what he said to her when he realized her feelings for him were real.

“Tamala, I-”

“I know. You thought I was after the title. I wasn’t, but my father was.”

“That still doesn’t excuse what I said to you.”

“No, it doesn't, but I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes.”

A silence fell over them and she looked around at the guilty faces surrounding the table.

“Did all of you know?”

Everyone nodded or grumbled their response and she felt even more embarrassed knowing that everyone knew it was a lie but her. She sat back in her chair in disbelief.

“If it helps, that’s not the only reason we didn’t like you,” N’Jadaka stage whispered to her from across the table. Shuri and M'Baku snickered as Ramonda reached behind Shuri’s chair to hit her nephew upside his head.

“That does help, thank you N’Jadaka,” Tamala said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“Could someone fill me in on what just happened?” the blonde colonizer, Steve, asked of his friends after another silence filled the table.

“I got you, man. So basically T’s been trying to make it so Black people can move to Wakanda, but her daddy is head of the Mining tribe and won’t let it go through unless he marries her.”

“What happens to the proposal now? Will he still block it from going through?” Okoye asked.

They all turned to look at Tamala.

“I-I don’t know.”

“Have you told your father about your decision?” Shani added.

“Yes, a week ago.”

“So you decided to wait until the wedding was damn near upon us to let us know?” Queen Mother was getting a headache. “Come with me after you finish eating, we have to call the press and cancel all the vendors and-”

“Mama, I will handle whatever needs to be done. Tamala has been through enough in regards to the wedding.” Ramonda wanted to argue with her son, but she knew he was doing the right thing.

“Very well then,” she gave in.

“So what are you gonna do now?” Bucky asked Tamala and everyone’s ears perked up in curiosity.

“I’m not sure, but I definitely can’t go back to my parents’ after this.”

“That is understandable. You are welcome to stay as long as you need to.” T’Challa said across the table.

“Thank you, T’Challa.”

“It is the least I can do.”

-------

With three weeks left until the wedding, Ashanti was finally leaving for her month-long trip to New Orleans. She had purchased a cell phone and linked her beads to the archaic device so she wouldn’t have to use them in public. She had done her research on the city and even though her itinerary mostly involved just letting her creative juices flow, there were a few things she knew she had to see and do before she left.

When Chidi and Bisa dropped her off at Wakanda International they were still a little uneasy about Ashanti’s plan. She had never left Wakanda before, but here she was flying across the globe by herself to a city where she doesn’t have any friends or even extended family to look out for her, but they were supportive because they knew it was her dream. When she was young she always wanted to explore the world, but Wakanda was still closed to the outside so she let the idea slip away. She thought the only way she’d get to see it is if she became a War Dog, but Ashanti never had any interest in being a spy. Now her dream was finally coming true, and despite the anxiety twisting her stomach she couldn’t be more excited.

Her flight only took about 7 hours on the Wakandan jet, and when she touched down and stepped out of the airport she was met with the wet heat of the southern United States. The temperature wasn’t too different from what she was used to, but the humidity made her feel like she was under water. She summoned a Lyft and people-watched as she waited for it to arrive.

She was relieved when it finally pulled up, looking forward to what she hoped would be an air conditioned ride.

“How’s it going ma’am?”

“Hi, uh, it’s good. André, right? How are you?”

“Yes ma’am. Here picking up,” he looked at his phone for confirmation, “Ashanti, but uh, I’ve had better days. Where you from? I hear your accent.”

“Do you hear yours?” she asked playfully as she slid into the back seat while he put her bags in the trunk. He laughed and the warmth of it brought a smile to her face. “I’m from Wakanda.”

“Ohhhhh, Wakanda huh? What made you leave paradise?” He asked as he plopped into the driver seat and closed the door.

“It’s not a paradise.”

“For those of us out here it is.” He looked at her through the rear view mirror for just a second. Her face fell, forgetting how privileged she was to grow up where she did. She had been so focused on getting away from the king that she forgot just how beautiful her homeland could be. “You should be careful out here, I’m sure it’s pretty different than what you’re used to. Crazy folks out here...you going down to Bourbon at any point?”

“Most likely, I’ll be here a while.”

“Hm. Well if you do please, please be careful chère. People get real stupid when they drink.”

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. Are you from here?”

“Born and raised. I moved up to Memphis for a while, but came right back. Always on the Mississippi though. What brought you here? You don't seem like the partying type and judging by all that luggage you’re planning to stay for a while.”

She sighed, not sure if she should get into it with her driver, but decided there was no harm in talking to him.

“My ex is getting married and I just needed to get away for a while.”

“Still love him?” he looked at her through the mirror again and she looked back at him before nodding.

“Yeah I do, it’s complicated…”

“Sounds like it. I been there though. My babymama moved on a couple years ago and I still ain't over it. He’s a nice guy though so I can’t be too mad about it. As long as my girls are taken care of, that’s what matters.”

Ashanti listened and nodded along, watching the city pass by as they drove down the interstate to her new temporary neighborhood. She knew they had arrived when he turned off the exit and she saw a mural painted along a wall that read “Tremé” in colorful letters. They drove a few more blocks before André stopped the car in front of a house with a colorful, plant filled fenced-in courtyard. There was a fat tabby cat lounging in the walkway by an adorable little iron bistro set. Before getting out of the car she used her iphone to review the instructions the host sent her, then she swung the door open, ready to see her living space in person. André grabbed her bags out of the trunk and placed them on the sidewalk for her.

“Could you help me carry them in?” she asked of her Lyft driver who turned to look at her like she was crazy.

“Ma’am, you sure are trusting. I’ll help you, but you can’t be out here just letting people in your place like that.”

Ashanti blushed, she hadn’t even thought of the danger she was putting herself in and she was thankful that André seemed like a good man. He brought her bags into the living room and took a look around, whistling at the sight.

“I’ve never actually gotten a look inside one of these new Air Bnb’s, these are niiiice. Ruining the neighborhood though, but what can you do?”

“How is it ruining the neighborhood?”

André chuckled a little at her naivety before concern crept up on him, too. This girl had let him into her home, alone, and he wondered what other stupid things she might get into.

“You know, how about I show you around. I’ll be your personal chauffeur while you’re here. For a fee, of course.”

“Of course. That sounds like a good idea...ok lets do it.”

“Great, did you want to settle in or go out now? I can run some quick errands while you rest up”

“I’ll be hungry in about a couple hours. Come back then?”

“You got it miss lady, see you later,” he turned to leave the house but turned back with a serious look on his face. “Make sure you keep these doors locked, you seem like the type to just keep them open.”

“I will.”

He squinted at her, not believing a word she said.

“I said I will, Bast!”

“You better,” he pointed at her as he closed the door behind him.

She plopped on the couch and she was thankful to have the space all to herself, but the vibe was quickly ruined by him yelling at her from outside.

“Lock the door Ashanti!”

She scrambled from her spot and locked the door.

“Happy now?” she shouted at him.

“Thank you!” she heard him say right before the car door closed and he drove off.

She was finally alone and could really feel the energy of the place. It would be perfect for her little artist getaway. The south facing windows let in so much natural light that she wouldn't even need to turn the lights on during the day. She had already scoped out where she would set up her easel, and she made a mental note to ask André about art supply stores since she could only bring so much on the plane.

She made her way to the bedroom and plopped down on the bed, testing its softness. Once she was satisfied she rolled off and went to the bathroom to set up her toiletries. When she opened the door she was thrown back in time to when T’Challa first invited her to his quarters after their first date. The monstera in the corner and the ivy draping down the walls reminded her of what she always called his “jungle chic bathroom”, but she quickly shook the thought out of her head. She stripped down and stared at herself in the mirror as the water heated up, but ran back to her suitcase to grab her kimoyo beads. They were synched to her phone, but she thought the sound quality was better on the beads..

“Hey Kim, play music.”

How do you mend when you worlds apart?

Ooh, carry on

Ooh, from the start

Somehow, we fell in love, then fell right out of touch

And ooh, that was hard

But ooh, here we are

And it's easier to walk away

Than to look for what would make you stay

“Next song please.” she grumbled, not in the mood for a love song. Thankfully the next song was anything but.

“There’s some whores in this house, there’s some whores in this house…,” she sang along loudly while scrubbing down.

When she was finished she got out and did her usual routine before laying down to take a nap until André came back. When he did, she was excited to see that he brought gumbo.

“I wasn’t sure if you were too tired to go out or not. Either way, this’ll heat up pretty good tomorrow. I made a big pot yesterday, figured you’d like some authentic ‘Nawlins’ cuisine.”

Her eyes lit up and she dug right in, obviously hungrier than either of them thought she would be.

“Mmm, this is amazing. You made this?” she asked, having yet another flashback to her first date with T’Challa.

“Sho did, my daddy’s recipe.”

“Well tell your daddy I said thank you.”

“Tell him yourself. We having a fish fry this weekend, you should swing by. His place is just a few blocks from here.”

“I’ll be there! It’s not like I have any real plans or anything.”

“Yeah, what you gonna do while you're here?”

“Walk around, explore, paint, take in some sights, do some touristy things.”

“Let me guess, voodoo museum and cemetery tour?”

“That’s on the list, yeah.”

“Nah, my granny can probably tell you all that better than some tourist trap.”

“Will she be there this weekend?”

“Oh she never missed a fish fry in all her 79 years.”

Ashanti laughed

“Good. So about our chauffeur situation, how about $2,000 a week?”

He stared at her in disbelief.

“What? I’m sorry, is that too low? I’m not good with the conversion rate-”

“No that’s way more than I been making, you got yourself a deal. Hell I’ll be your protection detail too if you need it.”

She giggled a little bit and finally felt her shoulders relax. As much as she knew she needed this trip, it scared her to be so alone so far from home, but André’s warm aura made her feel safe in his presence. As far as she could tell, he was a Bast-send.

The two stayed in for the night, talking and getting to know each other until André left around 9. Ashanti locked up behind him and carried herself up to bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

-------

The king chose to take the day to himself, and he decided to spend it the same way he spent his favorite off-day, with Ashanti at her shop. She had to have seen the news by now and known the wedding was off, but she was still not answering his calls. He grew concerned and decided to use his day off to try to make things right.

As he walked through the market with his Dora, waving at the occasional excited passerby and stopping to talk to the children that wanted his attention, he felt lighter than he had in a while. He was finally free of Tamala and once her father’s scheming was revealed to the council, he and Hodari were replaced by their second in command. The proposal to open Wakanda to the Lost Tribe had passed and now they could start prepping for the day when their doors would truly open to the world. His plan had gone through, he wasn’t being forced into marriage, and the council had even backed off of their incessant need to marry him off. All he needed now was his lady.

Chidi was the first to see him round the corner and he waved the king over, saluting him to keep up appearances in public.

“What are you doing here, my boy?”

“I wanted to see Ashanti, do you know if she’s in?”

“She’s been gone for about three weeks now, she needed to get away from all the wedding coverage. She’ll be back next week unless her plans have changed. She barely calls us so I have no idea. Can you believe it, my only daughter goes halfway around the world and can't even call me to say she’s alive! Don’t have kids, T’Challa, they’ll rip your heart out.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Where did she run off to?”

“New Orleans.”

“That fits her,” T’Challa smiled fondly while picturing her painting on an old balcony with jazz musicians playing down below or eating beignets and sipping coffee at Cafe Du Monde.

“Not enough to forget about her parents, it doesn’t!” Chidi fussed, causing Bisa to stick her head out from the back. Her face lit up when she saw the king.

“Oh hi T’Challa dear.” She came out from the kitchen and gave him a hug, surprising the few customers Zana Cafe had during the after lunch lull.

“Bisa, a pleasure as always.”

“I’m sure he told you Ashanti is off galavanting around the world avoiding your wedding. By the way, congratulations on being single again. I could tell you hated every moment of being with that woman, she seemed too clingy for you.”

“Thank you, it is good to be single again.”

“Not for too long, I hope,” Chidi’s eyebrow raised as he stared up at the king.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good.” Chidi clapped him on the back and the king said goodbye to who he hoped would be his future in-laws.

As he crossed the street to Taj’s his nerves picked back up.

“She’s not even here man, chill out.” He spoke to himself softly and took a couple deep breaths before entering the store.

The doorway chimed every time a customer passed through, so when Zina heard it chime and looked up she nearly dropped the beads she was sorting.

“M-my king!” She saluted him as Jafari came from the back room to see what all the commotion was about, before stopping and saluting him as well.

“Please, no need for that.”

“What can we do for you, your highness?” Jafari asked since Zina seemed to be stuck in a trance staring at the handsome king.

“I was hoping to place a custom order.”

“The jewelry artist is out of town currently, but we can still take your order. It probably won’t be ready for another month or so. She doesn’t allow special orders to skip the line.”

“That is fine, I can wa- is your friend ok?”

Zina was still glued to the spot, staring at the king.

“Z, why don't you finish the beads in the back, I’ll handle up here.”

“Yeah. Ok, yeah, sorry, heh.” She shook herself out of it and rushed towards the back to get away from the king so she didn't embarrass herself further.

The two men shared a knowing look and the king chuckled, used to that reaction by now. He had, after all, been fine as hell his whole life.

“So, what would you like?”

“First, I would like it to be anonymous.”

After about 30 or so minutes of finalizing the design, the king left the shop still feeling light, but now with a tinge of anxiety. He wasn’t sure how she would feel seeing him again, but the one big obstacle keeping them apart had finally been removed and he hoped she saw it that way, too.

-------

Ashanti’s time in the Crescent City was coming to an end, and she didn’t want to say goodbye to André and the rest of the François family. She invited them to come visit her in Wakanda and she was sure at least a couple of them would actually take her up on her offer. Saying goodbye to everybody had been rough, but she was more than ready to go back home. She even said goodbye to the fat cat that laid around in her courtyard most mornings. When André dropped her off at the airport they were both misty-eyed. They had become the best of friends and he was already planning to come visit Wakanda during the summer with his daughter Désirée, who simply adored Ashanti. They hugged and kissed each other's cheeks before he sent her on her way through security.

The flight back seemed to take a whole lot longer than the flight there, but she still made it in about the same amount of time thanks to the jets being infused with Wakandan tech. As they got closer to the border, she could feel the tattoo on her inner lip start to tingle, and when they landed it finally subsided. She nearly ran off the plane when she saw her parents and roommates waiting for her at the gate, and she attacked all four of them with a giant hug.

“I missed you all so much!”

“Chile no you didn't, you barely texted me.” Kwame joked as she hit his arm.

“And you barely called us. Must have been some trip!” Chidi added.

“It was! I have tons of pictures. I met this guy who-”

“A guy?” her mother interjected, concern written on her face. Ashanti misinterpreted it as concern for her safety but she was actually concerned about the state of her and T’Challa’s possible relationship.

“Yes, mama, a guy. He was my driver and we became friends and his family sort of took me in for the month. It was great!”

The five of them made their way to Zana Cafe and were met with Zina and Jafari, who were both ecstatic to have their boss back.

“Bosslady! You look well-rested.” Jafari pulled her in for a hug before Zina could do the same.

“That’s because I am. I need to do the whole vacation thing more often. Travelling is so cheap thanks to the conversion rate. Did you know our money is worth five times as much as American money?”

“Can’t say I’m surprised. Why don’t you go ahead and start telling stories and I’ll bring the food out?”Chidi suggested.

Ashanti had them hanging on her every word all night long. She told them about everything, from the cemeteries to the swamps to Bourbon street to the history of Marie Laveau. She told them about the jazz musicians and what she learned about the effects of hurricane Katrina and gentrification. She told them about the François family and the kindness they showed her, and even pulled up some pictures of her work on her beads to show them.

“I’m definitely going back at some point.”

“Don't you want to go somewhere else instead?” Zina asked, stuffing her face full of food.

“I want both,” Ashanti said with a laugh. She had missed her friends and family, but wouldn't trade the last month of her life for the world.

It started getting late so Zina and Binta left to go be with their respective significant others, while the others cleaned up the table. Jafari was the next to go, and after he left the remaining three descended upon Ashanti too quickly for her comfort.

“Do you know already?” Kwame asked her suspiciously.

“Know what? You’re freaking me out.”

“About the king.”

“Why would you- I left to get away from him, I don’t want to think-”

“Intyatyambo, they called it off weeks ago,” Bisa added.

Her whole world stopped, but she was too tired to process the information they had just given her.

“I-I don't...why?”

“Nobody knows, but the king came down here looking for you the other day.” said Chidi.

“He did?!” Ashanti asked, looking to her mother for confirmation.

“He did.”

“Well, um- that’s cool I guess. I-I need to get some rest, it’s late and my brain hurts.”

“Get home safe sithandwa,” Chidi ordered.

“I will baba, bye. Bye mama.'' She hugged them both before she and Kwame drove home in his new hover car.

“So this André guy?”

“Just a friend, Kwame.”

“Ok but is he cute?”

“You know that American show you like to watch? Oh, what’s it called...Insecure! He looks like the light skinned guy on there.”

“Nathan?! Girrrrl and you didn’t hit that?”

“No, ew, he felt more like a brother.”

“Mmmhm, so you didn’t go get your groove back?”

“Meaning…?”

“Did you get that back blown out in Nola or no?”

“No.”

“Girl I swear, the wrong one of us is doing all the travelling.”

The two laughed as they entered their home and said good night before going their separate ways.

As comfortable as her bed back in New Orleans was, it pales in comparison to her bed at home. She knew not to even sit down until she was ready to pass out. She quickly showered and threw on a big t-shirt before hopping in her bed and drifting away to dreamland.

Mmm, Ashanti.

Come sit on your throne, kitten.

Ride me just like that.

Bounce on it.

Cum on my dick.

Nah-uh, don’t fucking move, I’m cumming in this pussy. My pussy.

“Your pussy, baby,” Ashanti whimpered in her sleep just moments before her eyes flew open. She hadn’t had a dream like that in months, now all of a sudden her body was acting crazy just because she heard he was single again. As far as she knew, the council could have another wife lined up for him so there was no need to even get excited. Apparently, nobody told her pussy that.

She looked at the clock and was surprised it was well after 10am, until she remembered she probably had jet lag. Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knock at the door.

“Oh good you’re up, I was just checking to make sure you were breathing,” Binta joked as Ashanti threw a pillow at her from the bed.

“I’m alive, just jetlagged. I don't think I’ve ever slept this late in my entire life.”

“Yeah girl that's why I came up here to make sure you were ok!”

“I guess it’s something I’ll have to get used to if I’m going to be travelling a lot.”

Binta sat on the end of the bed.

“You really did love it huh?”

“I did, and there are so many places to see!”

Binta laughed and was about to say something when her beads rang.

“Oop, gotta go. Mrs. Obi is going into labor, but her doula came down with a stomach bug this morning so I get to step in.”

“Good luck!” Ashanti shouted at Binta as she frantically ran down the steps to grab her work bag and go.

Ashanti sat up in bed and stretched her arms out wide before swinging her legs over the side and standing up, stretching even further. She padded her way to the bathroom and checked herself out in the mirror while brushing her teeth. She decided to shower again since last night was more of a quick rinse, so she cut the water back on and got naked.

“Hey Kim, play music.”

How do you mend when you worlds apart?

Ooh, carry on

Ooh, from the start

Somehow, we fell in love, then fell right out of touch

And ooh, that was hard

But ooh, here we are

And it's easier to walk away

Than to look for what would make you stay

This time she was in the mood for the love song, so she allowed it to play all the way through.

Remember when we first met?

We were having so much fun

So, now, how can we both forget

Telling each other, "We're the one"?

We would make love (We would make love)

At the drop of a hat

Remember that?

(Yeah)

I remember you and me (You and me)

Close as any two can be (Two can be)

Now we're strangers in the night (Strangers)

Awkward in the tight

Oh baby, do you want to make it better?

Do you want to stay together?

Hey, if you do

Then let's please

Make some new

Memories

The song was cut off by her beads ringing. She finished rinsing off and hopped back out the shower to see who was calling her. She threw on a robe, then answered the call. She was surprised to see Zina on the other end.

“Hey Z, how’s it going?”

“Hey Shanti, so um the shop is really busy and Jafari got that stomach bug that’s going around and-”

“I’ll be there in 30, no worries. Breathe Zina.”

She took a deep breath and was able to destress a little bit.

“Sorry, I just get a little tense sometimes.”

“I understand. If it's too busy for you to handle, just close the doors and we can reopen when I get there. See you soon.”

She ended the call and searched for something to wear. She threw on a white t-shirt and colorful joggers with sneakers before grabbing her bags and heading out the door.

When she arrived at Taj’s the customers had died down so she was able to work in the back and look through her commissions. There was one that stood out to her, it was an anonymous client who wanted a very simple necklace. They could have bought one like it at the front of the shop, but she guessed this person wanted it made just for them. Looking at her calendar and other commissions she guessed it would be ready in a month or so, but with it being such a simple design she decided to go ahead and make it to get it out of the way.

-------

The king was surprised when Jafari called him to come pick up his order. It was way earlier than he had expected, but he would never complain about getting to see Ashanti sooner rather than later. T’Challa decided to take the day off again, and he knew his sister wouldn’t take too kindly to it so he decided to make her favorite breakfast for her. When his mother and sister rolled into their en suite kitchen, following the delicious smells wafting through the royal wing of the palace, Shuri immediately knew something was up.

“Unyana, shouldn’t you be working?”

“Oh no. Is this a bribe?” Shuri asked, eyes scanning over the American-style breakfast and mouth watering at the fluffy golden pancakes. She wanted to stand her ground, but they called to her. T’Challa knew what he was doing.

“Don’t think of it as a bribe, think of it as a thank you in advance,” he said with a sly smirk on his face.

“Let me go clear my schedule-” she sighed.

“No need. Already done,” he smiled at her as he shovelled scrambled eggs onto her plate.

“You’re the worst. This better be for a good reason.”

“It is.”

“Are you going to tell us what it is?” Queen Mother inquired.

“No, not yet.” T’Challa didn’t want his family to get too excited.

“Ugh, I deserve to know since you're making me queen for a day.”

He stared at her, deciding between telling her and keeping it to himself. His decision was cut short when his kimoyo beads rang and he answered to see Nakia looking very excited.

“N’Jadaka told me everything! How did it go?”

“Oh so you told him but won’t tell us?! Your own mother and sister? Your own flesh and blood? How rude.” Shuri said, crossing her arms and giving him a look of disapproval, making him roll his eyes at her dramatics.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to start anything, I was just so excited. You know the prince can’t hold water, I don’t know why you ever tell him anything.”

“You are right as usual, umhlobo wam.”

“Well, I’ll let you go since you obviously have some explaining to do,” she looked behind T’Challa at the princess and Queen Mother who had looks of displeasure on their faces. “Call me after!” And with that she ended the call and her hologram disappeared from his hand. He took a deep breath and turned to face his family.

“So?” Ramonda asked impatiently, Shuri nodding along.

“So...I am going to see Ashanti.” He paused as their faces lit up and he couldn't help but smile, too. “I went to see her on my off day a couple weeks ago, but she was out of town. Apparently she left to avoid the wedding coverage...but she’s back now, so I took the day off to go see her.”

Their smiles were up to their ears despite the silence that followed T’Challa’s explanation.

“I haven’t seen you look this happy in a long time, unyana wam.”

“Thank you mama, I’m hoping all goes well.”

“Bast be with you, dear.”

“Ugh, I guess I’ll do your job for you. Tell my sister I said hi and I miss her!”

Ramonda smirked at her daughter’s choice of words, and T’Challa fought to keep a smile off his face.

“I’ll do just that.”

“Well, go ahead and eat so you can get out of here,” Ramonda encouraged her son.

T’Challa chuckled at his mother’s insistence, but did what she said. He tried his best to not rush through the meal, but his excitement took over and he inhaled his breakfast before kissing Shuri and Ramonda on their foreheads and running out the door.

As soon as he left the kitchen his nerves kicked in and he decided to smoke a little something on his balcony before heading out. The royal grower had left him a nice hybrid strain, and after a couple of hits he felt calm enough to do what he needed to do. He ashed his blunt before making his way down the palace elevators and out the front entrance.

He strolled through the city with Okoye and three other Dora, standing tall and smiling at the few other pedestrians when they caught his eye.

“You’re in a good mood today. Is it the weed or our destination?” Okoye teased him.

“Yes.” he responded and chuckled as she gave him a knowing glance. She hadn’t seen her king this happy in...well it’s been a while.

They stopped just around the corner from Taj’s and T’Challa took a deep breath before walking forward. Thankfully it was still early and the market hadn’t livened up yet, so Taj’s would most likely be empty or at the very least not busy.

The Doras stood watch at the open doors and he stepped in, causing the chimes to ring out once again. He was met with the same smiling faces as before and he immediately deflated since he had been hoping he would get to see Ashanti.

“My king.” Zina and Jafari said in unison, saluting him in the process.

“Hello, I received a message that my order is ready. I would love to speak with the artist if she is in.”

“Sure, I’ll go grab her. She’s just in the back working on another order, I’ll be right back,” Zina said before hopping off her stool and disappearing behind a multicolored curtain that had been dyed by children in one of their art classes.

By the time Zina reached Ashanti’s workstation, she was overflowing with excitement.

“The-anonymous-client-is-here-and-they-want-to-meet-you!” she rushed out.

“Zina, breathe. One more time, please.” Ashanti looked up from measuring the pair of pendulums that would become pearl drop earrings when she was through with them.

“Just come out front and see for yourself.”

Ashanti sighed and set down her tools, brushing off her clothes as she stood and following Zina out to the front. She figured the anonymous order was either from someone she knew or from someone of nobility from one of the tribes, but nothing had prepared her to see T’Challa standing in her shop just like he did almost two years ago. She froze on the spot when she saw him and her two employees snickered at what they assumed was her “starstruck” face, not knowing it was anything but.

“Hi.” he said softly with a smile.

“Hi. So you’re my anonymous client?” her voice softened as she took in his form. T’Challa was many things, but he was not someone who repeated outfits, yet here he was in her shop wearing the exact same clothes as the day they met.

Zina and Jafari’s jaws fell to the floor as they both realized that Ashanti knew the king.

“That I am. I hope you don’t mind, I needed a way to see you. I didn’t want to just pop up at your home, but you blocked me, so...I understand though-”

“Holy shit-” Jafari said under his breath but much louder than he anticipated, causing Zina to elbow him in his side.

“W-we’ll just be in the back,” she stuttered as she pushed Jafari into the back room to give them privacy.

There was a tense silence for a moment before T’Challa spoke.

“I heard about New Orleans. How was it?”

“It, uh, was great. I was there about a month and met some really great people. Got a lot of painting done-”

“Hm” T’challa nodded with a warm smile on his face.

“What?”

“When Chidi told me you were in New Orleans that’s exactly what I pictured you doing. You, on a balcony, painting, with Jazz musicians playing on the street below.”

“So you pictured me, huh?” she teased.

T’Challa laughed. “Yes, quite often I’m afraid,” he took a step forward. “And you? Do you still think about me?” he asked her while moving closer so that the only thing between them was the counter.

Ashanti’s heart beat faster and her palms got sweatier with every step he took.

“All the time.”

“Do you have someone special in your life?”

“No. Any more arranged marriages on your end?”

He chuckled and shook his head, “No.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“Mhm.”

“Ashanti,” he took a deep breath. “I really am sorry.”

“For what?”

“I should have never let you go-”

“I needed to go, T’Challa. If you had chased me I just would’ve run further away.”

“Ok,” he nodded. “However, I know that if I had to see you with another man it would tear my heart to pieces, so I am sorry from the bottom of my heart that you had to experience that pain.” His big brown eyes twinkled with sincerity and her nerves simply melted away.

“Eh, I’ve had worse,” she joked, shrugging and holding up her pinky.

The two of them stared at each other in silence with small smiles plastered on their faces.

“Ashanti,” he began as he grabbed her hand and kissed it, feeling the cold metal of her robotic pinky beneath his lips, “I know it’s been a rollercoaster, to say the least, but my heart will always be yours.”

Tears welled up in her eyes and one escaped, prompting his thumb to reach out and swipe it away.

“Please don’t cry, kitten.” he said as tears threatened to escape his eyes, too.

“I’m sorry, I just-”

“Don’t be sorry, my love.”

She looked at him in that moment and took in his face that she missed more than her heart could bear. She missed his deep dark eyes, his broad nose, his bushy yet tamed eyebrows, and that lopsided gap toothed smile. She missed scratching his beard when they kissed and oiling his scalp with him seated between her legs. She missed the little things about him and their time spent together, and she was tired of running. She was tired of letting her fear dictate her happiness. She was tired of other people standing in their way, but now there was nothing in their way but a wooden countertop.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

He quickly rounded the counter and pulled her body in close, planting his lips on hers. She melted into him as they both finally let their tears fall. They stayed in that embrace for Bast knows how long, taking in the moment and reacquainting themselves with the feel of each other.

T’Challa had missed the smell of her perfume and the pomegranate leave-in conditioner she used in her hair even more than he realized. Her soft body conformed to his and it took all of his willpower to not explore her body more, so he leaned back to untangle himself from her momentarily only to be pulled back into her embrace. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the comforting sound of his heartbeat.

“Not yet,” she whimpered as she pulled him in tighter. He chuckled and rested his chin on top of her head after placing a light kiss on her crown. He saw the curtain ruffle slightly and knew her employees were eavesdropping.

“I think we have an audience.”

“I figured.” She refused to let go. “Can we go somewhere else?”

“Anywhere you want.”

The wheels in her head turned and turned. She didn’t want to be bothered by either of their loved ones, but she wanted privacy.

“Take me back to the lake.”

“Anything for you.”

She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. This time it was true, he really would and could do anything for her. There was no fiancee or council standing in his way.

“Zina, Jafari, you two can come out now,” she said as she pulled only halfway out of the king’s embrace, his arm still around her waist. Her two employees tripped over themselves from behind the curtain and emerged with guilty looks on their faces.

“I’ll be gone the rest of the day. If it gets too crazy I trust you two to handle it on your own.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Of course, bosslady.”

She momentarily left T’Challa’s warmth to grab her bag from the back before they sauntered out of Taj’s hand in hand.

-------

When you take somebody for your own

It can't survive on history alone

Meet me at the hotel, motel

Though we got a room at home

Go to a place that we don't know so well

It be nice, add a little spice

Try some new seduction

Show each other how

Give each other new instructions

On what makes us

Feel good

Now

I just wanna make you feel good now